If you want to study in China, give CLI your money now. Seriously.

I could not speak a word of Chinese before arriving in Guilin. After a few weeks of one-on-one lessons with their awesome English-fluent teachers, wo xian zai hui shuo zhong wen! :)

Land-before-time-type beautiful city in the mountains, friendly, welcoming, curious residents, just THE perfect experience to study in China if you don't want the madness of Shanghai or Beijing.

Cannot recommend highly enough. 10/10