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The Great Wall of Whiner
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Posts: 4946
Location: Blabbing
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 Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 7:35 am Post subject: |
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Everyone has their own opinions on "the best places" in China.
Personally, I'd never live in the south. But that's just me. I am certain that if I had chosen the south over the north, my Chinese would not be nearly as good as it is now. That's because they speak so many different dialects.
Also I have learned that the south is far more "agro" towards foreigners, and crime and drug problems are more severe.
But that's just my opinion... |
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andrew_gz
Joined: 15 Feb 2005
Posts: 502
Location: Reborn in the PRC
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| Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:02 am Post subject: |
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I prefer the "Dirty South". (There is something to be said for being "Far from the Emperor")
Been in GZ for over 6 years, and yeah it's gritty and grimy. (And I know it's not for everyone)
As for learning Putonghua, you can do it. (Most service folk are from the north, as are your colleagues)
I'm one of the few who prefers the sound of Guangzhouhua. (That sing songy sound beats that guttural "er" to these ears)
Of course, living in a well-appointed, painstakingly clean, gated community with Sat TV and a VPN does keep you in touch and some distance from THAT world outside.
And as most of you know (If you have been here awhile) having a network of buddies and places to go, really helps make one feel at home.
Plus, a long term relationship with both the missus and my employer has given me a feeling of stability and balance that easily offsets what can be a chaotic life here in the PRC. |
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The Ever-changing Cleric
Joined: 19 Feb 2009
Posts: 1523
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| Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:08 am Post subject: |
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| Boxcar Johnny wrote: |
| mandu wrote: |
| Shenzhen is a great city |
mandu, can you give reasons why Shenzhen is a great city.
I'm researching that region now, for re-location. Thanks. |
i'll field this question.
1. good transport network in the city (lots of buses, and a very good subway that is currently expanding).
2. many very good restaurants serving all types of food.
3. easy travel connections to anywhere in china.
4. growing number of international air connections.
5. lots of western amenities if you want them.
6. proximity to hong kong for anything you can't find in shenzhen.
7. if you need a girlfriend, loads of single women.
8. lots of foreigners (if you feel the need to chat things up with other laowai).
that just about covers it. |
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bradley
Joined: 28 Mar 2005
Posts: 235
Location: China
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| Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:15 am Post subject: |
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I like Shenzhen alot. Alot of foreigners seem to like Zhuhai as well.
I visited Kunming a few weeks ago and didn't like the city proper, although it is nice outside of the city. |
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motown
Joined: 07 Jun 2008
Posts: 68
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| Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:39 am Post subject: |
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| bradley wrote: |
I like Shenzhen alot. Alot of foreigners seem to like Zhuhai as well.
I visited Kunming a few weeks ago and didn't like the city proper, although it is nice outside of the city. |
I've never been to Kunming but I've read on this forum time and time again that it's one of the most difficult spots to get a job in China. Some schools even require a Masters in English and the pay is less than most places. I presumed that this means it is very desirable to visit and/or live in. Surprised to see these type of remarks but in perhaps tourism and construction have hit the interior just as much as the coastal areas. |
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Lobster
Joined: 20 Jun 2006
Posts: 2040
Location: Somewhere under the Sea
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| Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 11:12 am Post subject: |
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Was only there once, but isn't Chengdu a city of about 10 million people? Not small by anyone's measure. Seemed pretty overdeveloped to me.
RED |
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Boxcar Johnny
Joined: 09 Jul 2008
Posts: 26
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| Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 4:00 pm Post subject: |
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| The Ever-changing Cleric wrote: |
| Boxcar Johnny wrote: |
| mandu wrote: |
| Shenzhen is a great city |
mandu, can you give reasons why Shenzhen is a great city.
I'm researching that region now, for re-location. Thanks. |
i'll field this question.
1. good transport network in the city (lots of buses, and a very good subway that is currently expanding).
2. many very good restaurants serving all types of food.
3. easy travel connections to anywhere in china.
4. growing number of international air connections.
5. lots of western amenities if you want them.
6. proximity to hong kong for anything you can't find in shenzhen.
7. if you need a girlfriend, loads of single women.
8. lots of foreigners (if you feel the need to chat things up with other laowai).
that just about covers it. |
Thank you very much the Every C.C. |
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sui jin
Joined: 08 Feb 2008
Posts: 184
Location: near the yangtze
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| Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:06 am Post subject: |
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| Yangshuo in Guangxi Province is somewhere to consider - a small city near some very beautiful mountains and rivers. It's not too remote, and seems to have plenty of work for FTs. |
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El Dude
Joined: 17 Sep 2009
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:27 am Post subject: |
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Where does Chengdu fit in the above mentioned North-South division of China?
Mandarin is the dominant language within Sichuan province, right? |
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btbudd
Joined: 02 Nov 2009
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 6:06 pm Post subject: |
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| Does anyone currently, or previously lived in Dalian. I've heard nothing but great things about the city and saw the UN ranked it the most liveable city in China for many of the reasons mentioned above in lists. Just wondering if anyone could offer some personal insight or experiences about what they like or may not like. Thanks! |
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wangdaning
Joined: 22 Jan 2008
Posts: 3154
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 12:20 am Post subject: |
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| El Dude wrote: |
Where does Chengdu fit in the above mentioned North-South division of China?
Mandarin is the dominant language within Sichuan province, right? |
Chengdu is about central and far western. It is not the boiling South or the freezing North, but gets a little cold and a little hot.
Finding people who speak Mandarin here can be a task. They speak the Sichuan dialect. This means they can understand you but who knows what response you will get. Most of the time it sounds like they are mumbling gibberish, especially the older folks. Even when they speak Mandarin they usually speak Chuanpu (a compromise betweet Sichuan Hua and Putong Hua).
Of course younger people and the more educated can speak decent Putonghua, I am just generalizing on the whole. |
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vikok
Joined: 29 Oct 2009
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 1:09 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Chengdu is about central and far western. It is not the boiling South or the freezing North, but gets a little cold and a little hot. |
One of the problems with a little cold - in Jan/Feb the av temp is around 4C - is that the normal badly insulated Chengdu homes with no central heating can start to feel mighty cold. The traditional way of dealing with this problem is to wear 10 layers of clothing in the house and go to bed before 9 each evening - but for the FT a cold apartment can be a life-quality challenge.
There are of course heating units such as AC units that have a heating function - but if they have to heat large areas they can be expensive to run for any period of time - so take this into account when working out a wage - it's more than a good idea to ask about winter heating, and try and get employers to pay or subsidize utilities bills. For a Chengdu job these extras in the contract could be a great help for those who don't like wearing fur-coats, gloves and woolly hat while watching DVD in the living room!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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The Ever-changing Cleric
Joined: 19 Feb 2009
Posts: 1523
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 1:27 am Post subject: |
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| vikok wrote: |
| Quote: |
| Chengdu is about central and far western. It is not the boiling South or the freezing North, but gets a little cold and a little hot. |
One of the problems with a little cold - in Jan/Feb the av temp is around 4C - is that the normal badly insulated Chengdu homes with no central heating can start to feel mighty cold. The traditional way of dealing with this problem is to wear 10 layers of clothing in the house and go to bed before 9 each evening - but for the FT a cold apartment can be a life-quality challenge.
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first of all, let me welcome yet another newcomer to our forum.
second, i have to agree with this good fellow. i spent part of last winter festival at my GFs family's place in sichuan (not far from chengdu). while it wasnt overly cold outside, the only time i was really warm in the apartment was when i was in the scalding hot shower, or under 5 heavy blankets in the bed. most of the rest of the time, i had my jacket on and sometimes even a hat ! its not easy living in these places. |
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El Dude
Joined: 17 Sep 2009
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:56 am Post subject: |
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Ok, so Mandarin is not dominant in Chengdu and Sichuan.
What about in Shanghai, Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces in the East? Are these good places to learn Mandarin? |
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El Dude
Joined: 17 Sep 2009
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 11:17 am Post subject: |
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I just did some Wikipedia search and found that WU is the dominant language of these provinces in the East (and Wu is apparently spoken by more people than Cantonese - who knew?).
Nevertheless, the underlying purpose of my question is what are good cities for learning Standard Mandarin whilst also offering a decent quality of life?
thanx |
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