Yun Jian is one of the workhorse models of the Kaoji series, covering the full cycle from beginner to intermediate (grades 1–6) — a safe choice when buying one instrument for the long run.
String positions and height follow a common standard, so switching to another instrument of the same model requires no re-adaptation. The body is built for durability under the heavy use of children and teenagers.
The tone is clean and unaggressive, which keeps the noise that discourages beginners under control. As the level rises and more expression is needed, the instrument still has reserve.
Adjust stand height as the child grows, keeping the elbow naturally lowered. Tune once a quarter; frequent large tuning adjustments actually raise the risk of broken strings.
For exam grades and sizing, see graded exam guzheng buying guide.
Buying advice: this model is listed at CNY 5500, which is a lower price in the range of the 8 models in the Kaoji series (prices run CNY 5000 to CNY 8560).Dancing Butterflies (CNY 7000) is the next step up and is worth comparing if your budget is close. To keep the budget down, start from Warm Lotus (CNY 5000). Flower Field sits at the same price with a different look and voicing — pick on taste. Bulk pricing is explained in How to order.
FAQ: How far will an exam-series instrument take a student? The series covers the full cycle from beginner to upper-intermediate, and the corresponding grade range is noted on each product page. Students aiming at music-specialist school admission should choose the upper models of this series.
Suitable for: the Grading series is for young students, training centres and exam candidates — stable tuning and comfortable action make it a reliable choice for grading and daily practice. Batch orders for studios and schools are quoted by quantity with a specification list. Send your quantities and scenario through the enquiry form.
I have been learning for two years, my teacher said not to spend too much, and this one is just right, it shipped the day after I ordered, delivery was faster than I expected, the edges are finished very cleanly, with no rough spots.
I read through the reviews before buying, and it was not a mistake, it lives in the teaching room, where students take turns on it, and it takes the wear, I would recommend it.
The grain on the soundboard looks natural, the finish is thin, and you can tell it was applied by hand, they sent me a video of the actual instrument before shipping, which put my mind at rest, it drifted quite often at first, and took three tunings to settle.
A friend heard it at my place, and asked where I bought it, it feels very solid overall, and it does not shift even when you play hard. Worth the price.
This is my second purchase here, and the feel is just as I remembered, the colour is a shade darker than the photos, but it feels better made, it came in a wooden crate packed with thick foam, five days in transit and not a single knock, at this price it holds its own against anything, worth the price!
The tuning holds very steadily, two months of playing and it has barely drifted, it handles the graded exam repertoire with no trouble, this much workmanship at this price, there is nothing to find fault with, I would recommend it!
Very good value, I have already recommended it to classmates.
I changed instruments before the summer exams, and my child adapted quickly. The low register is full, and Fisherman's Song at Dusk sounds wonderful on it.
The seams on the back are very even, and you can tell the work was done with care. My child practises an hour a day, and likes it more the more she plays!
It is lighter than my old one, and my child can carry it herself, compared with my last one, the difference was obvious straight away, it looks even better made in person than in the photos, you can see the details far more clearly, five stars.
Customer service even showed me how to tune it, so I was not nervous picking it up for the first time, the tuning pins are set just right, neither loose nor stiff, very happy overall.