Job Discussion Forums

[Rosebud]

Any comments on Hohhot, Inner Mongolia or New World Language School? I would appreciate your thoughts.

[Roger]

Don't forget your sunblocker and your winter things, my friend! It gets really icy there in winter, and the sun is quite fierce in summer.
I would not consider moving there although it might be attractive to a newcomer to China for one year. It's in Mongolia, though you are not likely to see much of Mongolian lifestyle there.
I would probably miss my daily caffe latte and my newspaper the most!

[stavrogin2001]

I think that it is a wonderful opportunity to see some of the more "real China". My first year I went to a small town where there were very few foreigners and I liked it so much I stayed my second year there. I have since traded in my small town for a big city with modern conveniences, but I think it is good the first year to rough it a little. I guess it also matters why you are coming to China. If you want to see more traditional China, stay out of big cities. Small towns, especially Inner Mongolia will have things like cheese and coffee. All the other things you can enjoy learning about.

I say go for it!

[David Bowles]

I've only visited Hohhot (for a couple of days), but I thought it was one of the best Chinese cities I've been to. It looks more interesting than most, as it still has some old streets and some temples and its character hasn't been developed away. Also, unlike a lot of Chinese cities there's a good ethnic mix- not a whole lot of Mongolians about, but a big Muslim population complete with mosques and barbeques.
It's not one of the richer Chinese cities (by quite a way), and as far as I could see most of the foreign folk were tourists so I don't know what it's like for foreigner-friendly facilities. I went there in summer and was much in need of sun, so the perfect blue sky was great- but come winter I think it gets properly cold.

[kittywow]

First thing-Mongolia is a landlocked country north of China. Inner Mongolia is a province in China with a long border along Mongolia. They are not one and the same! Even the languages they use are different.
I worked in a very small city in Innner Mongolia for six months, and have travelled to Hohhot. Nice city, definitely. Clear skies all the time, nice and arid in the summer instead of sticky and humid like most other places. Has character, including noticeable Muslim population and restaurants. Mountains nearby if you are into the adventure thing. Has a really good museum, although that would be just a perk if you go just to visit I guess. I was hardly even stared at and "hello?"ed at the whle five days I was there. Winter does get cold in Inner Mongolia but chances are your apt will have excellent radiators to keep you warm. You just pile on the layers, take your cue from the Chinese with the wool long underwear and long coats. Food is good too, nice Mongolian hotpot, cooked in water instead of hot chili oil will warm you up too. And the baijiu always chases the chills away.