Is The Chairman's Bao Free to Use?

Updated

The Chairman's Bao is not entirely free, but you can start without paying. Registering gives you access to sample lessons, while the full library of news-based, HSK-graded lessons sits behind a Premium subscription. The site describes itself as offering "premium" plans and points to a Student Plans page, though no specific price is stated in the available information.

What You Get for Free

Based on the site's own description, free access centers on samples:

  • Registration — Creating an account unlocks sample lessons.
  • Sample lessons across all levels — The lesson browser shows entries tagged "Sample" at Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 (and the level filter runs from Level 1 through Level 6).
  • A look at the format — Samples let you test the core reading experience before committing.

The homepage includes a "Register Now And Access Our Sample Lessons Now for Free" prompt, confirming that free access is real but limited to samples rather than the full catalog.

What Premium Adds

The platform frames its paid tier as the way to reach the complete offering:

  • The full lesson library — The site advertises 11,079 lessons, with new articles added daily. Samples are a small slice of that total.
  • Reading and listening exercises — Comprehension exercises tied to each text.
  • One-tap dictionary and flashcards — Look up words, save them to a learning hub, and review with flashcards.
  • Cross-platform study — Access on desktop, laptop, mobile, or tablet via website, iOS, and Android apps.

The homepage shows "Become Premium" calls to action for both students and teachers, which indicates the paid tier is the intended path for regular study.

How to Decide

Your situation Reasonable starting point
Curious whether the news-based format suits you Register free and work through sample lessons
Studying regularly and need fresh material daily Premium, since samples won't sustain ongoing reading
Teacher sourcing classroom materials Check the teacher-facing Premium option
Budget-sensitive and unsure Compare sample lessons against your needs before subscribing

Checking the Actual Price

No price is given in the information available here. To see current costs and plan tiers, go to the Student Plans page at thechairmansbao.com/plans/. Treat any figure you see there as the authoritative one, since pricing can change.

A Practical Way to Test It

A sensible approach: register, pick one sample at your HSK level, and complete it end to end — reading, listening exercise, dictionary lookup, and flashcard save. If that workflow fits how you study, Premium is the logical next step. If the samples feel too thin or the level tagging doesn't match your ability, you've learned that before spending anything.