When you study Mandarin Chinese at Keats, there are many things you can do outside of class. Life in Kunming is so colorful. You will not feel lonely when you study in China. Instead, you will gain many unforgettable memories.
Outdoor & Indoor Sports
Outdoor & Indoor Sports
When you take a Chinese language program at Keats in Kunming, you can find many good places for hiking and cycling such as Motian Hills, Snake Mountain, Golden Temple, and the Western Hills. You can also cycle around the Dianchi Lake and appreciate the amazingly beautiful view along the way. Opposite the school is the biggest sports stadium in Yunnan with a football field, basketball court, tennis court, badminton court, and swimming pool. Kunming also has one of the top golf courses in Asia – Spring City Golf Course. There are also places for ice skating in big shopping malls. As a Keats student, you will have free access to the Keats Fitness Center, which is located in the school building.
Local Culture & Chinese Culture
Local Culture & Chinese Culture
Kunming embraces both traditional and contemporary cultures. Unlike Beijing, Shanghai, or other metropolises that are crowded with skyscrapers, Kunming is a laid back and historical city. You can have an adventure at local markets, such as the Bird and Flower Market – a place selling local handicrafts, Zhuanxin Farm Product Market – the biggest and the most famous food market in Kunming, Dounan Flower Market – the biggest flower market in China. Keats offers Chinese cultural classes such as calligraphy class, Tai Chi class, Chinese cooking class, and Chinese musical instrument class. Keats also offers free cultural events every Thursday evening including playing mahjong, tea tasting, paper cutting, paper folding, kite making, card games, making Chinese knots, ethnic group dancing, Chinese chess, chopsticks practice, etc.
Tours & Sightseeing
Tours & Sightseeing
When you learn Chinese at Keats, you could enjoy free excursions organized by Keats every Saturday. It can help you better experience and understand Chinese culture. Daytrips are also available on Sunday with reasonable and affordable prices. You will have a chance to visit many beautiful places in Kunming. They are the Golden Temple, Black Dragon Pool, Daguan Park, Guandu Ancient Town, Minority Village, Yuantong Temple, Stone Forest, Jiuxiang Caves. Parks are also great places for you to take a break from your Mandarin classes. The Green Lake Park, Lotus Lake Park, Haigeng Park are free parks to enjoy walking, jogging and cycling. Start your day with bright sun rising and complete your everyday activities in the radiant sunset glow too. Life in Kunming and Keats School are just like a picture full of poetic scene.
Local Gourmet & Cuisine
Local Gourmet & Cuisine
Chinese cuisine is considered to be an exciting part of your experience when you learn Chinese in China. In Yunnan, people like the spicy taste and sour flavor. Yunnan food, also known as Dian cuisine, is a mixed culture of 25 minority groups that inhabit in Yunnan. Keats organizes group dinners every Friday to try all kinds of local foods. Famous local foods include 炸洋芋 (spicy fried potatoes), 烤/油炸臭豆腐 (roasted/fried stinky tofu served with spicy sauce), 豆花米线 (rice noddle with gravy and jelly tofu), 过桥米线 (cross-bridge rice noddle), 豆面汤圆 (sticky rice dumpling covered by syrup and grounded pea powder), 烤乳扇 (roasted cheese).
Beautiful Yunnan
Known as a “Spring City”, Kunming is home to some of the mildest and most pleasant weather of any city in China. During your time when learning Mandarin Chinese in Kunming, many exciting destinations await your discovery right here in Yunnan Province, just a short bus or train ride from Kunming. These include the mysterious Xishuangbanna, a wonder of the world; Lunan Stone Forest, the ancient kingdom capital; Dali, and the beautiful Lijiang under the snow-capped Jade Dragon Mountain, and the famous Shangri-La.
Places to Visit
Social Activities
Social Activities
Kunming, as vibrant as Beijing and Shanghai, is a destination that many young people desire. Outside of Keats, you would find loads of night events and parties to go with friends in bars and pubs. You could practice what you’ve learned in class while enjoying your nightlife here. KTV is another exciting experience that you can’t miss. At Keats, we have movie night every Tuesday, language exchange with native Chinese people every Wednesday, Chinese cultural activities every Thursday, group dinner to try local cuisine every Friday, free excursions every Saturday. These events and activities can help the students at Keats to make friends with each other and with Chinese people. It’s also an excellent way to dive into the daily life of Chinese people.
Shows & Exhibition
Shows & Exhibition
If you are not a fan of social activities, there are also multiple choices available for you to spend a wonderful private time. Theatres in Kunming are ideal places for Philharmonic Orchestra lovers and stage play lovers; watching a film in the cinema is not a bad choice. Different types of museums will give you a better understanding of Chinese culture and local culture. With 25 minority ethnic groups inhabiting in Yunnan, the stunning dance show Dynamic Yunnan amazes everyone who watches it.
Hands-on Experience
Hands-on Experience
If you want to stay away from the busy life in Beijing and Shanghai, Kunming is a great place for you to slow down and get fully relaxed. You would find many places to have some hands-on experience. You may find workshops for painting, making drip coffee, forging jewelry, clay modeling, Bai tie-dyed technique. You will explore inner peace in the deep of your heart while you learn Chinese in Kunming.