A Day in Paradise

A Day in ParadiseThe CLI Team December 13, 2023CLI News Learn Chinese in China or on Zoom and gain fluency in Chinese!Join CLI and learn Chinese with your personal team of Mandarin teachers online or in person at the CLI Center in Guilin, China. An adventurous group of CLI students and teachers found themselves in paradise this weekend – a fool’s paradise. 愚自乐园, or Yuzi Paradise, translates roughly to “Fool’s Paradise”. The 130-acre sculpture park, with clutches of bright spring flowers in full bloom and a jaw-dropping backdrop of karst mountains typical to Guilin, was a breathtaking and peaceful break from urbanity. One of the best things about studying Chinese in Guilin is being surrounded by the serenity of nature all around the city – and having a plethora of opportunities to go out and enjoy it. The group spent several hours exploring the park’s 100 sculptures, gawking at the unusual geometries of the architecture, and at one point sampling the sweet-sour, fuchsia colored fruit of a cactus species in one of the park’s many Chinese gardens. Though a delicious experience, many learned the hard way that the juice stains, spending the rest of the day with bright purple hands and lips. We were happy to end our visit having fresh juice and coffee at the park's outdoor "Woods Café", courtesy of Frank Wu, Yuzi Paradise General Manager. Wishing you all a happy spring from CLI! Back: Brad, Thor, Conor, Marcello, Corey; Front: Talon, Lynx, Leona, Elyssa Leona and Marcello, Queen and King of the world The natural serenity of Yuzi Paradise Beautiful pieces by the famous sculptor Ju Ming Leona posing with some unique architecture The CLI TeamThe Chinese Language Institute (CLI) is a center for Chinese language and cultural studies based in Guilin, China. Founded in 2009, CLI has hosted over 5,000 students from more than 50 countries and maintains a 4.95 out of 5.00 rating on GoOverseas. CLI's team includes Chinese language educators, program managers, and China specialists holding advanced degrees in Chinese studies, teaching Chinese as a foreign language, education, and related fields. Articles published under The CLI Team draw on the collective expertise of this group, informed by years of experience designing and delivering Chinese language immersion programs in Guilin and across China. Free 30-minute Trial LessonFree 30-minute Trial Lesson Continue Exploring CLI News CLI 2025 Year in Review: 36,000 Hours, 35 Countries, One Community CLI News Guilin 马到成功: CLI Upgrades Student Living Facilities for the Year of the Horse CLI News Travel China What Are the Best VPNs for China in 2026? CLI News The New York Times Goes to Guilin CLI News CLI Online Student Wins USA Memory Championship CLI News The Ben Hedges Interview CLI News Former CLI Student Gives TED Speech CLI News Jack Ma Speaks with Charlie Rose CLI News Happy Halloween from CLI 1 2 3 … 5 Next » ✕Join the CLI community and learn Chinese in China!Based in scenic Guilin, China, CLI is a leading center for Chinese language and cultural studies.Learn OnlineLearn in China CloseMessage us on WeChatIn WeChat on your phone, tap + then Scan, and point it at this code.Take a screenshot of this code. In WeChat, tap + then Scan and choose it from your album.Press and hold the code and choose the option to scan it.Then tap Follow and send us a message.We reply Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM Beijing time.