Welcome to Our Chinese Book Shop
In our Chinese bookshop, you’ll find books for all levels of Chinese, from textbooks for beginners wanting to learn the basics to advanced classics available to download for your Kindle. Our list was created with the help of readers of the Written Chinese Blog, followers of Written Chinese on Facebook, and our own Written Chinese Team. Thank you to everyone who has tried, tested, and recommended books for our list. If there’s a book you’d like us to add to our list, please leave us a message below.
Many of the links below are affiliate links, which means if you purchase a book from one of our links, you’re helping support Written Chinese. Thanks!
Click on the links below to jump to the section of the bookshop you’re interested in.
Chinese Textbooks and Workbooks
These books will teach you to understand and speak Chinese with written dialogues, audio, and exercises. Most can be used in classrooms and for independent learners preparing to use Chinese day-to-day.
Beginners
ABCs of Written Chinese: Radicals 1-20 ebook
Learn 20 of the most important Chinese radicals with in-depth lessons that include illustrations and exercises!
Our Chinese Classroom: Junior 1 (with MP3s)
Our Chinese Classroom teaches different topics using dialogues. After each topic, there’s a workbook section that challenges students to test their learning.
I also recommend continuing with the Junior 2 book (I used this in a class several years back).
New Practical Chinese Reader Vol. 1
This series introduces lessons that can be used in everyday life. Each lesson has new vocabulary, pattern drills, and exercises as well as cultural notes.
It has hundreds of great reviews on Amazon too!
Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar
This is a mammoth book that focuses on pretty much every element of Chinese grammar! An essential book to keep handy when you’re studying.
There’s also a Grammar Workbook that goes with it.
Learn Chinese with Mike Absolute Beginner Coursebook Seasons 1 & 2
We love Chinese with Mike videos and his books are brilliant too! If you’re new to Chinese, the CwM coursebook and video series are perfect.
Grab the Chinese with Mike Activity book and complete it alongside the coursebook above!
Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar: A Student’s Guide to Correct Structures and Common Errors
This book is both simple and concise and addresses grammar issues without any added fluff.
It also has a brilliant 4.5/5 star customer review!
Chinese for Foreigners (CD Included)
Great for beginners of Chinese as it deals with all the basics, including word lists and daily conversations.
Discover China Student’s Book 1
This series is best used in a classroom environment but can also be used by self-taught students. They address modern topics and teach about Chinese culture to aid language learning.
Get the Discover China Workbook to test your learning!
Integrated Chinese: Simplified Characters Textbook, Level 1
Great for both classroom and independent study. Makes learning Chinese simple and fun!
The textbook is split into 2 parts, get Part 2 here.
Living Language Mandarin Chinese, Complete Edition: Beginner through advanced course
A complete course for studying Chinese. Comes with course books, audio, and interactive learning.
Intermediate to Advanced
A Course in Chinese Colloquial Idioms
This book teaches over 500 Chinese idioms. A great addition for intermediate students!
Vocabulary Books & Flashcards
Study simple vocabulary and phrases.
2000 Most Common Chinese Words in Context
Increase your Chinese vocabulary with 2000 Chinese phrases.
Perfect for beginners, learn some basic Chinese words and phrases with this flashcard set.
Chinese Character Books
Books that help you learn the meaning of Chinese characters, memorable ways to remember characters as well as how to write Chinese.
Fun with Chinese Characters 1: The Straits Times Collection
This is my favorite series for Chinese characters! Learn about character etymology with brilliant illustrations and mnemonics.
All 3 Fun with Chinese Character Books in 1!
Remembering Simplified Hanzi 1: How Not to Forget the Meaning and Writing of Chinese Characters
Learn the meaning of 1000 Chinese characters!
MASTERING CHINESE CHARACTERS: MODERN APPROACH
Recommended by Will!
Introduces 300 characters and some useful mnemonics to help you remember them.
Learn the meaning of 800 Chinese characters with memorable stories.
Reading and Writing Chinese: Third Edition, HSK All Levels (2,349 Chinese Characters and 5,000+ Compounds)
An essential reference book to learn Chinese character definitions, radical breakdowns, how to write, as well as mnemonic devices.
Chinese Cursive Script: An Introduction to Handwriting in Chinese
Solve one of the biggest issues with reading Chinese characters and learn how to recognize cursive handwritten Chinese characters!
HSK Books
Before you take an HSK exam, test yourself with these simulated papers.
Simulated Tests of the New Chinese Proficiency Test HSK (HSK Level 1)
Prepare yourself for the HSK Level 1 test with these simulated tests!
New HSK Preparations (Level 4): Reading & Writing
Test your readiness before taking the HSK level 4 exam. Also prepares you for the different exam areas and tips on how to complete them.
HSK Graded Reader Storybooks
Chinese Graded Readers Storybooks
Read classic books in Chinese with a twist! These graded readers tell classics set in modern-day and ancient China.
Elementary Level: Simplified and Traditional Characters
The following graded readers are written using only 150 Chinese characters and is intended for Chinese learners with a low elementary Chinese level.
Level 1: Simplified and Traditional Characters
The following graded readers are written using only 300 Chinese characters and is intended for Chinese learners with an upper-elementary Chinese level.
