Sports Activities

Many Chinese language students wish to learn Martial Arts such as Wushu or Tai Chi whilst studying in China.

Tai Chi and Wushu are both excellent ways to keep in good physical and mental health while meeting local people and practicing your Chinese. Chinese in China can arrange you meet with local teachers that foreign students have liked in the past. At beginner and intermediate level there are several classes running on campus at both partner universities. These cost US $2-3 per hour to study in a group of 5-10 people. Generally, training takes place in the morning before classes or during the evening sunset but afternoon sessions are also available. If you wish to train seriously with your own personal teacher then this will cost US $3-4 per hour.

 

Dalian Football (soccer) team has won the Premier league of China for 7 of the last 10 seasons  and it is perhaps the most football mad city in China. Many foreign students make good friends both foreign and local, by playing football either for their university or favorite bar. Chinese in China students are given priority to reserve the football pitch at Dalian Maritime University for US $6/hr and students are encouraged to form their own 5 aside teams and compete in the local leagues (we will help you get registered and in booking the pitch).

Fitness is fashionable in China’s eastern cities and in the last 2-3 years several western-standard gyms have opened around Dalian. The equipment is sophisticated and clubs usually have a swimming pool and spa area. Prices are relatively expensive from $40-$60 per month. The on-campus gyms at Dalian Maritime and Dalian University of Technology are of a good standard and much lower cost at about US $1 per visit. Each has around 25 exercise machines to use as well as a free weights area.

There are a variety of other sports available both on campus and around the city’s sports centres. Most widely played are Table Tennis and Badminton.

Modern 50m swimming pools are found on both partner university campuses.

 

Basketball is also popular, particularly with Chinese University students and on campus you can generally walk onto a court with a ball and start playing. There are basketball tournaments each semester and usually the foreign students department of your university will enter one or two teams.