Job Discussion Forums

[alex.cg]

Hi there

I'm trying to figure out where in China to look for a job. I'd like somewhere a bit out of the way, but big enough to survive in for 6 months. Somewhere with character, charm. Money isn't so big an issue. I've considered Hohhot (inner mongolia) and Lijiang (Yunnan) so far. Any suggestions?

Thanks :)

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

Personally, I like the North-East.

It's a little out of the way in places. Jilin Province comes to mind.

[stavrogin2001]

I would agree with the Northeast. Anywhere that is not close to the ocean in China with the exception of Yunnan is going to be fairly remote and have a real "Chinese" charm about it. The west is best for what you want.
I would say the places that are the least Chinese as far as the western concept of China would be Shanghai and Beijing. However the other extreme that I would steer clear of is Yunnan. That is unless you have a backpack glued to your back, you haven't showered in a few months, and you love sitting in bars trying to one up the guy sitting next to you about where the best yak butter tea is in Tibet while getting a "crazy" vibe from your sherpa guide.
Yunnan is probably one of the most beautiful places in China, but if you are trying to get off the beaten path, stay away from there. I would say it is the most beaten path being the "gate to Tibet" and all. Not to mention all the herbs that grow wild there. It seems to attract some strange people.

[Roger]

Hohhot "charming"? I have strong doubts. Lijiang? Definitely charming; jobs available? I have my doubts...
Manchuria? Not really "charming" - it's the rustbelt of China, although I will not deny there are scenic spots and architecturally attractive spots in towns across the NE.

In the end, job availability will carry the day, not quality of life or other intangibles.

[jg]

Hello,

I thought that Xiamen, in Fujian province, was quite charming. Hmm... why do I feel so much more comfortable using "quite" with the word "charming", as opposed to "very"? Anyway, Xiamen is small, prosperous, and not jam packed. I went there a month ago and at midday during the week the streets of the downtown area closest to the ocean were almost empty. There is a somewhat bustling commercial area, and they have all the goodies that we have here in Shanghai - Walmart, Watsons, upscale restaurants and grocery stores, etc.

It is a coastal town that was colonized by the Portugese and there are still lots of lovely colonial buildings in the town and on the neighboring island of Gulang Yu, which is even more charming than Xiamen.

They say that it is difficult to get work in Xiamen since teachers who like it there tend to stay and the town isn't big enough to support a whole lot of teachers anyway, but there is some bar there called the "English Chatting Pub" or some such and they had job offers on their notice board. They also had free beer for native speakers who wanted to come in and chat with the people who frequent this place, which is basically an English corner with a liquor license.

Try Xiamen! Go coastal, not postal

[naturegirl321]

[nolefan]

How about Chengde in Hebei? only 200,000 folks live there and you get mountains, trees, palaces.....the whole nine yards! That is where I am headed next!