Choosing which city in China you want to teach in is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as it’ll impact your experience and lifestyle. Make sure to choose the location most suitable for yourself but where do you start? With officially over 700 cities in China, ranging from vast metropolises to smaller cities, China is a TEFL teachers dream, and you’re spoilt for choice. So today we're going to look at the top 8 cities you should consider when teaching English in China.    1. Chengdu  Where else to begin than the home of China’s national treasures, the Giant Pandas, and also the home of TeachDiscoverChina. Chengdu is the charming capital of southwestern Sichuan Province and the latest mega city in the middle kingdom that comes with a twist. China’s number one domestic tourism city is burgeoning with modernity, culture and tradition, a fashionable metropolis not only famed for its spicy cuisine but notably for its relaxed slower paced and leisurely lifestyle compared to anywhere else in China. You’ll often see locals enjoying themselves drinking tea in teahouses, playing cards, chess and mahjong on street sides. A friendly and welcome atmosphere pervades, no wonder why Chengdu’s 14-year reign as the country’s happiest city in a national poll shows no sign of abating. A low cost of living and a vibrant expat community to count amongst its many plus points, makes Chengdu an ideal TEFL destination for those who value an affordable quality of life, a comfortable work-life balance, and for foodies who want to add a little spice to their life. Short-term or long-term Chengdu will pull at your heart and as locals say once you’ve set foot here you’ll never want to leave.    2. Beijing The capital of China is the cultural heart of the nation and sets the tone for the entire land. A perfect blend of ancient and modern with historical sites and futuristic skyscrapers. Beijing is one of the oldest cities in the world and with progress never forgets its past, Beijing’s millennia of history and its importance provide an altogether grandiose vibe and aura unlike any other. For those who want to feast yourself on ancient Chinese culture and history, Beijing is certainly the best place to be with no less than 7 UNESCO world heritage sites including awe-inspiring hotspots such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden Kingdom, Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven - all must-visits for any traveler or TEFL teacher. Moreover the Chinese spoken in Beijing is closest to standard Mandarin Chinese, making it easier to settle down especially for avid Chinese language learners. But no worry the second most populous city in China is one of the most popular TEFL destinations and has a sizeable expat base. There’s just so much to do and see in Beijing making it the obvious choice for TEFL teachers.  3. Shanghai For those seeking big city life in China, well, you can’t do any better than Shanghai – the ultimate sprawling metropolis. One of the biggest cities in China with the largest population of nearly 25 million inhabitants, Shanghai is the center for global business. For all its stunning modernity, nestled around the city’s modern architecture are glimpses of old Shanghai with ancient temples and alleys. Possessing a vibrant and unique atmosphere, Shanghai is truly the most international and cosmopolitan of places in China with the largest number of expats from all corners of the globe. Whilst the vastness of the city and rush of life maybe overwhelming for some, many consider Shanghai to be the most western of mainland Chinese cities making it one of the top choices for teaching here. Great for those with a social appetite and looking to make connections with other expats and foreigners. High salary packages come with higher living costs. But there’s no better city view than that from the bund looking across the Huangpu River at the Lujiazui city skyline as the wind blows in your hair. Also not to forget Disneyland is a stones throw away.    4. Guangzhou Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province and economic hub of southern China, with a history of over 2200 years, lies on the Pearl River making the city a major world trading port and terminal during the maritime silk road. It also now occupies the important centre of the Guangdong-Hong Kong Macau Greater Bay Area and holds status as one of China’s tier 1 cities. Guangzhou has a hot and humid climate with hot and wet summers and mild winters allowing for a variety of flowers to bloom through the seasons giving the city it’s nickname ‘the City of Flowers’. Guangzhou is also known as the ‘City of Five Goats’ due to the ancient legend that Gods descended from heaven riding five goats and saved the city from a devastating famine during the Jin Dynasty. Ever since the city’s been blessed and delivers abundant pleasures and charms. For food lovers Guangzhou is where tasty Cantonese cuisine, the most widely recognised and eaten Chinese food globally, originated. And on any given day you can hear the unique sounds of Cantonese opera. At night the city radiates along the pearl river as the iconic Canton Tower is lit up in multitudes of colours. With the second largest expat population in China, Guangzhou has proven a hit with foreigners and TEFL teachers alike.    5. Shenzhen  In many ways the development of Shenzhen is representative of and mirrors the rapid trajectory of China’s rise to being the world’s second largest economy ever since it was declared a special economic zone in 1980. The transformative impact of China’s opening up and development policies in the eighties to integrate with the wider world turned a small sleepy fishing village between Guangzhou and Hong Kong into the dynamic international metropolis we see today. A tech hub driven by innovation and entrepreneurship, Shenzhen is widely known as the Silicon Valley of China due to the residence of many powerhouse tech companies such as Huawei and Tencent. The speed of the city’s development from its humble beginnings has been startling, making it one of the world’s fastest growing cities in the past four decades and by most consensus nabbing a spot as one of China’s Tier 1 cities alongside Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. As of today, there are 415 skyscrapers in Shenzhen, the second most in the world only behind Hong Kong. Not to fret, the concrete jungle is easily accessible and can be easily navigated via a modern metro network. Shenzhen is not just a city full of skyscrapers though with beaches close by for a nice relaxing weekend sojourn. An extremely new city with an energetic lifestyle and good weather year round, Shenzhen is perfect for forward-thinking teachers with a futuristic outlook and a taste for the modern.     6. Hangzhou Once described as “the finest and most splendid city in the world” by Marco Polo, Hangzhou is an affluent city that harmonizes an infusion of nature, traditional Chinese culture, modernity, and progress. Existing besides the commercial and tech center, the jewel of the city is no doubt the picturesque West Lake, a significant cultural landscape in China and known worldwide for its stunning natural beauty. The UNESCO world heritage site is pure poetry, and its serene beauty effortlessly displays a quality akin to classical Chinese ink paintings, indeed it has inspired scholars, writers and artists for centuries. It’s also a great location to explore much more of China and visit nearby surrounding cities such as Shanghai, Suzhou and Nanjing. Though still relatively dense, with a slightly smaller population of nearly 10 million, Hangzhou can be seen as being more manageable to live in than other mega cities. You’ll easily be enchanted by the scenery and lifestyle, a stroll by the West Lake and a sip of the famous Longjing tea, make Hangzhou great for those who savor a bit of tranquility in the city.    7. Xi’an Given the title of the birthplace of Chinese civilization, there can be no underestimating the importance of Xi’an’s cultural significance. Located in northwestern China’s Shaanxi Province, Xi’an has a long and storied history with a rich cultural heritage. Formerly known as Chang’an, it was the ancient capital of the Chinese kingdom for 13 dynasties and 73 emperors reigned from this magnificent city. The starting point of the silk road, Xi’an is where history is etched on every wall and alleyway, a great place to immerse yourself fully in the mystical charm of Chinese culture. It is also the site of the one of greatest and most extraordinary archeological finds of the 21st century – the Terracotta warriors – an enduring symbol of ancient China. A stroll along the Ancient City Wall and a visit to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda are well worth your time as well. Due to its centrality in China, Xian’s Shaanxi cuisine mixes flavors and ingredients from the north and south, the Rou Jia Mo and Biang Biang Noodles are typical dishes you must try. The city’s diverse Muslim Quarter is also popular amongst tourists and foreigners who are looking for a delicious bite.    8. Qingdao  Looking for seaside charm, a leisurely walk along the beach with a beer in hand, then Qingdao’s is the first to mind. One of the most beautiful coastal cities in the country, located southeast of the Shandong Peninsula, the name of the city translates as ‘green’ or ‘lush’ island. TEFL teachers and foreigners in Qingdao will be rewarded with breathtaking seaside landscape and mountain scenery merged with modern skyscrapers that illuminate the night. With an intriguing past of German and western colonialism, in some areas you can still witness plenty of western style architecture from 100 years ago, providing a distinctive international atmosphere. Famed for its beaches and it’s world-renowned Tsingtao beer, Qingdao holds the largest annual beer festival in China, although that’s no excuse for teachers to drink too much. With a comfortable climate, good air quality and fresh delicious seafood, Qingdao provides a great alternative option for those with an oceanic flavour and who prefer a gentle coastal breeze whilst they teach.    Do you agree with our picks? China has abundant options for TEFL teachers, in fact many other great cities didn’t even make it onto our list. Whatever type of teaching environment you’re looking for, whether in a big city, by the coast, or in the countryside there are sure to be vacancies matching your location preferences. If you have any questions, are looking for some advice, or interested in teaching in China, feel free to get in touch via our email [email protected]

So you’ve just aced your interview with a school and secured your dream English Teaching position in China. Now it’s time to start the visa process, we know this can be laborious and tedious, so we’ve written this definitive guide, so you know just exactly what materials you need and what to do, step by step.    Let’s first clarify the terminology, what do you need to legally teach English in China?  *Work Visa – This only grants the foreign teacher the right to enter China for work and stay up to 30 days *Work Permit – This legally allows you to work in China at your school or organization *(Work-type) Residence Permit – This allows you to live in China beyond the 30 days and for the remainder of your teaching contract     PART 1:  To successfully get your work visa, you will need a work permit notification letter. Your school or agent will help you apply for this. The work permit notification letter notices that you have been permitted to work in China and that you will receive a work permit. To get the notification letter you will need to provide the following documents, materials and information.    1. Your resume/CV    2.   Passport （Clear scanned copy）：Make sure your contract period is within the period of validity of your passport   ★3. Degree certificate（Original and Apostilled copy）   ★4. TEFL certificate（Original and Apostilled copy） Note:  The duration of the certificate must be 120 hours or more. If your degree major is in a relevant field such as English, TEFL or Education then TEFL is not compulsory.    5. Recommendation letter（Original and Color scanned copy）→ Don’t need to be notarized and apostilled. Note: Letters of recommendation must be for more than two years and may consist of two or more letters. The position on your recommendation letter should be consistent with the position you are applying for. The letter should include the title and contact details of the referrer or the official seal of your previous work place (if possible). If you do not have a TEFL Certificate or your degree is not in a relevant field, you must provide a recommendation letter.    ★5. Clean criminal background check Below are the viable criminal background checks for each country.  UK: ACRO Police Certificate（Original and Apostilled copy） US: FBI background check, State or local police City background check CA: Royal Canadian Mounted Police Criminal Records Check AU: National Police Certificate from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) NZ: Criminal Record Check from the New Zealand Ministry of Justice  SA: Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)  IRE: Garda Police Certificate  *Note: Must be issued within 6 months of your work permit application     6. Physical examination Report（Color scanned copy）→ You can download the physical examination form template from the websites of the Chinese Embassy/Consulate/Visa Center or we can give that to you.  *Note: This also has to be issued within 6 months of your work permit application.    7. 2-inch size passport photos on white background, digital and physical copies (x6)   8. If you have worked in China before, please provide copies of all residence permit pages.   9. Tell us which Chinese Embassy/Consulate/Visa Centre in your country you will submit your visa application? *Note: In some countries you must apply for the visa at the consulate or embassy of your residence/area’s jurisdiction. Please confirm before letting us know. Once confirmed, it cannot be modified.    10.Supplementary materials maybe required depending on circumstances of which you will be made aware of.    ★Apostille Degree and TEFL certificates need to be notarized by a notary public/solicitor in the country they were issued. Degree certificates, TEFL certificates and criminal background checks need to be apostilled in the country they were issued. *In the UK by the Legalization Office of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). *In the US by the secretary of state of your region or the department of state, depending on where you are located. *In South Africa by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO). *In Canada by Global Affairs Canada or the competent provincial authority depending on the location where your documents were issued and notarized. *In Australia by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) at the Australian Passport Offices of Capital Cities    *For Degree and TEFL certificate, please notarize the original or the true copy of the original *How long it takes for the documents to be apostilled differs between countries. It maybe fast and be ready within weeks or a month, it may be slow and take two or three months, so it is recommended to start the process as soon as possible.    Once you have prepared and gathered all these documents, your school or agent will process this for you by submitting it to the service system for foreigners working in China, in order to get the work permit notification letter. This should take about 2-3 weeks.  PART 2:  Once your work permit notification letter has been granted, your school or agent will send this to you. There are two copies one in English and one in Chinese. You then need to book an appointment with the Chinese embassy/consulate/visa center in you region and apply for your work (z) visa. Please bring the notification letters and all other relevant materials/documents with you.  Checklist of Documents for Visa • Original Passport with at least six months of validity and blank visa pages • Colour Photocopy of the bio data page of your passport • Visa application form and photo *Can find this on the website of the Chinese embassy/consulate/visa center • Work Permit Notification Letters When it’s been approved, you should receive you work visa within 5 working days. You can then book your flight tickets to China.  Before entering China, please bring your Original and Apostilled documents as follows: • Original passport. (If you get a new one, you still must bring the previous one.) • Original and Apostilled degree certificate • Original Apostilled ACRO Police Certificate • Original and Apostilled TEFL Certificate (If any) • Recommendation letter (If any) • Physical examination report  • Six white background passport photos (2-inch size) *if you don’t have any, you can take the pictures in China for around 30 RMB price) • Supplementary materials if any PART 3: Congratulations! You’ve made it to China! After arrival in China your school should pick you up from the airport and you will proceed to the next steps.     For the continuance of your work permit and residence permit applications please do the following:  • The school will also send you to have a physical examination at the China Inspection and Quarantine (C.I.Q.).Please go to do the physical examination as soon as you arrive in China and send us a clear scanned copy of photo of the results when you receive it.  • The school will also send you to get your Residence Registration Form at the local police station within 24 hours of your arrival in China, please keep it as it’ll be necessary for applying for your residence permit.  • On arrival in China, please take a clear picture/scan of your Entry Stamp and Visa Page and send to you school or agent for further processing of your Work Permit.  • Once your work permit has been granted you’ll be taken to collect it  • You need to then use you work permit, residence registration and all you other documents to apply for your residence permit.  Attention:  • Z visa is valid within 30 days based on the date of your Entry Stamp, during which you school or agent will assist you with the application of Work Permit and the Residence Permit to legally work in China. • In case of any trouble it may cause, please make sure you have brought all the documents and its originals mentioned above with you when coming into China. • Policies vary slightly from place to place,  if you have any questions, please consult with you school or agent.  Once you’ve collected your residence permit then voila! Now it’s time to enjoy your experience teaching wherever you are in China. We just know it’ll definitely have been worth all that time and effort.   If you have any questions about the visa process, feel free to get in touch at [email protected]