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]
