Job Discussion Forums

[latinthrilla]

I will be teaching at this university starting oct 1 but don't know much about the city. what should i expect? Also is it easy to open a bank account in China, what do I do? There more info you can provide the better!

Thanks a ton!

[Roger]

Zhengzhou is not a particularly attractive place but it's not a hellhole either. I just don't see any reason for visiting it; one overnight stay there is enough for me for the rest of my life.
In its favour I would mention the fact that some of China's oldest city ruins are found within its limits; those Shang dynasty ruins (age: 3500 years) are not much to write home about of, though.
Shaolin Monastery is not too far either, and Kaifeng is another interesting sight-seeing option within reasonable travelling distance.

Prepare well for a term that covers all four seasons of a temperate zone with a pronounced hot and dry summer and a snowy winter when they heat with coal.
If you are hired legally you won't have legal problems converting your salary into foreign currency at transferring it out of China from the local BOC branch.

[Syndrome057]

Roger is dead on with his observations. I have now been in Zhengzhou for eight months and find the town boring. The other foreigners here are quite cool which helps the living situation considerably.

Otherwise, it is as attractive as a compost heap (and the smell can be compared as well)

Peace,
Safari
**Only the tough can live in Henan

[ilunga]

I must be pretty damn tough then having signed up for a second year

I live two hours from Zhengzhou and have been there quite a few times for a night or two visiting friends.
There's nothing much of interest in the actual city but the surroundings areas are pretty nice, and you can live very cheaply. It's also got excellent rail-links due to it's central location, which makes travelling convenient. Beijing and Shanghai are only a night-train away.

[latinthrilla]

thanks for the responeses guys, I live in 3 weeks. I need more info as so far I've been getting only vauge info. What kind of nightlife is there (specific please), how are the locals, how much money will I need per month etc.

Thanks for the help!

[Redfivestandingby]

I've lived in ZZ for four years. I agree with the rest: Zhengzhou is not that great. It's dirty, you'll never see a blue sky, construction everywhere, windy, etc...

BUT it's a great place to get an average feel of an 'anytown' average China.

Nightlife consists mostly of going to noisy Chinese bars with bands that play the same wussy Chinese songs way too loud with beer girls in your face trying to sell their company's product. Pretty annoying and expensive.

Holiday Inn Crown Plaza is nice and have good Filipino bands that play music we know. And it's cheaper than the average Chinese bar.

Your university is conveniently located in the city. Great dvd shop right across from it. Walking distance from the province museum which is shaped like a pyramid.

[latinthrilla]

Thanks Red, I just realized how horrendous my spelling was in my last post! A few more question since I can�t find this information anywhere. How far is the campus from the city�s center and will it be easy to travel from the campus by foot, cab, or bus and which do you recommend.

Thanks so much!

[Redfivestandingby]

If you are in Nongda(Agricultural University) then you are in the city on one of the busiest streets, Wen Hua Lu(Culture Road). Find out the Chinese name just to make sure I'm giving you the right info.

Buses are extremely convenient since this is one of the biggest schools in the city and Wen Hua road has about 5 big unis.

'Er Chi' Tower is the city's center even though geographically it isn't. But it's where all the shopping for cheap stuff is located.

With traffic and on a bus you are 15-20 minutes away but believe you me, you're really not gonna wanna spend too much time down there since it's ridiculously crowded, smelly, dirty, etc...

The 'center' of the town is a straight shot from Wen Hua road even though name of the road changes after a certain point. China is crazy by the way.

There are plenty of shops near the university for trinkets, sports clothes, music, dvd's, etc...

Let me know if you have any more questions.

[ahopfe]

ZHengzhou is as most people have said dirty but its not too bad with the nioht life , there is a western bar just around the corner from where i live granted i have only been here since late june. Communicating with the other foreigners helps beyond belief. Any one that lives in ZZ and wants to contact me . I am in Minghui Gardens

I would recommend living on about 350-400 RMB a week and you should be able to live comfortably.



Phone 13213013126

Hope this helps.

Anthony Hopfe

[latinthrilla]

Thanks guys, as soon as I know exactly where I'm gonna live and get everything sorted out I'll be contacting you, I'm going with two more professors from Canada so we'll see you there!

[Chris_Crossley]

While we are on the subject of Zhengzhou, perhaps anybody who's there now or been there can tell me something about Henan Experimental Middle School? There's an ad right now from the China TEFL Network website about this school, so I'd like to know from anybody in the know whether it is a good school for an FT to teach at.

[T.C.53]

Most Esteemed List:

I also am thinking of going into that area for the second semester 2004-2005.

What is the quality of the AIR! with the use of coal for heating and power.

South Fujian is really quite clean, in comparison to other citys.

What's the skinny on SO2 pollution. Recently as I can only find stats dated 1998-'99.

Thanks in advance
Top Cat.

[ahopfe]

I am in ZZ at the moment and the air quality here isnt great , i think i can count the amount of days that i have seen blue sky in the recent months on my fingers ,


I am not sure of exact figures but lets put this way its not the cleanest cities in China .