Experiencing Chinese Village Life in Ma'an

Experiencing Chinese Village Life in Ma'anThe CLI Team October 28, 2024CLI 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. During the annual Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, friends and family gather to celebrate the fall harvest and anticipate the arrival of the autumn equinox, when the moon is typically at its fullest and brightest. CLI Students in Ma'an This year, CLI team members and students gathered in the Dong minority village of Ma'an to eat moon cakes and experience the true meaning of Mid-Autumn Festival alongside the local population. From enjoying Dong song and dance to sampling minority specialty dishes, we were certainly fortunate to take part in such a unique cultural opportunity. In addition to celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival, CLI students and staff had the privilege of lodging in a traditional Dong long house, typically constructed from timber by local Dong villagers and often requiring months - or even years - of labor. Though the weather was less than ideal, we enjoyed a clear panoramic view of Ma'an from a nearby mountaintop and spent a few late nights chatting over steaming cups of tea. Bird's Eye View of Ma'an The village of Ma'an is home to the Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge (pictured behind students above), a wooden bridge that took local Dong residents over 12 years to build. Completed at the turn of the last century, it stands as a symbol of the distinctiveness of Chinese minority architecture. Ma'an is conveniently located only a few hours by bus from Guilin, and makes for an easy overnight trip outside the city. When studying at CLI, there is no shortage of enriching sites to explore. From mountains to villages, countryside to nearby cities, Guangxi offers an endless number of opportunities for discovery and learning. 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.