Job Discussion Forums

Heliogobbelus · Joined: 06 Aug 2013 Posts: 11

Hi folks, I'll be moving to Taiyuan in a couple of weeks. Anyone have a line on good places to go to meet other expats? Anyone on here living there right now and up for a drink or a meal when I arrive?

Also want to know a bit about the place as it is now. Is it as dire as a lot of people make out? Are the few good comments just well-disguised sarcasm? I've searched the forums and read everything I could but most stuff is at least 3-4 years old.

A bit of background on my experience and job to document what I got fr what I had in the Autumn of '13: I just finished 2 years in Vietnam, did the CELTA in early 2012 and came home to Canada in June. Within a month of returning I'd applied for this job through the local community college. They snapped me up and I quickly agreed, knowing full well that Taiyuan isn't a "hot spot" so to speak. The pay and expectations are decent I'd say: 10,000RMB/mth plus $250/mth into my Canadian account via the college here, for 20hrs/wk of oral English. Flights and apartment included. C'est bon, n'est pas?

I thought this would be a good intro to China, as the job is vetted by the school here so I feel pretty bullish that the job will be decent.

Basically, can anyone help me out on info about this place? It's rather underrepresented on the net...

Heliogobbelus · Joined: 06 Aug 2013 Posts: 11

Oh ya! anything specifically about Taiyuan Normal University would be especially appreciated. What's its rep? How's the campus?

I'll be at the far South campus near the airport I believe. Is this a blessing or a curse? I gather the air is a bit better out there, but making it into town can be a pain? How tough is it to get to any good shops? Is Wal-Mart close?

How's the bus system? No light rail, yes?

Any good music venues or club nights? I don't really dig house music but a soul/motown night would really light me up. If there isn't such a thing do you think it's possible to get one going? Any amenable places for that sort of thing?

Anything I need to know but am too ignorant to ask about?

Cheers!

Mister Al · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 840 Location: In there

Taiyuan is a dump. Good luck.

Heliogobbelus · Joined: 06 Aug 2013 Posts: 11

...thanks for that Mister Al...any details? I'd appreciate any florid descriptions no matter how damning.

Miajiayou · Joined: 30 Apr 2011 Posts: 283 Location: Nanjing

I'll bump this for you, but I don't know anyone who has ever set foot in Taiyuan.

astrayalien · Joined: 01 Feb 2011 Posts: 85 Location: China

I worked in Taiyuan for one year. It is a bit dusty, but 'dump' is an exaggeration. Good atmosphere, many nice foreigners. I left because my job was crap.

There is a 'Foreigners in Taiyuan' Facebook group - find that.

Heliogobbelus · Joined: 06 Aug 2013 Posts: 11

Thank you Miajiayou and especially astrayalien, that facebook group is a great resource!

keeperofpythons · Joined: 28 Jan 2010 Posts: 152 Location: zhu san jiao

Taiyuan is ok if you have no plans to learn the language. The more you learn, the more you'll understand just how much hatred the average local person walking on the street has for foreigners. Those with rosy impressions of the locals either don't speak Chinese or speak it poorly. The expat community is quite good though.