Job Discussion Forums

[monju]

I've had an offer to teach at the Xishuangbanna Vocational and Technical Institute in Jing Hong City
Has anyone heard of or worked at this place?
Can anyone give me the lowdown on this place?

[Roger]

I happened to know, through some western Kunming contact of mine, a western teacher based in Jinghong. I think he was working at that institute.

My information on him is from second-hand, so you must chew it with some extra care, but on the whole it sounds rather plausible: he was a Spaniard, and he felt a bit like a man left on the moon. I don't think he lasted longer than his contractual term.

Anyway, Jinghong is a small town. I visited it as a tourist. It has nothing special to offer except a few backpacker hang-outs. These are fairly popular. But the town itself is just like so many other eyesores in China. What makes it a little more bearable is the lush green countryside wit its Dai and other ethnic villages and their distinct architecture and lifestyle. Jinghong itself shows very little of it, though.
The winter is probably the best season - pleasantly warm; the summer may be a bit hot (but that is the case in other parts of China too). It's just the spring season that is extremely unpleasant, or so I heard: so foggy that you think of a London pea soup!
The bus ride from Kunming is impressive. Many travel by plane because the distance is enormous - a whopping 700 kms. However, the road to Simao from Kunming is a brand-new motorway and traffic is pretty thin!
I personally would prefer Kunming or Lijiang!

[monju]

Thanks Roger, useful info.
I'm going through great turmoil as to whether to go there or not.
My partner is there - a local.
The money isn't so good but the climate appeals, and I can't take much more of Shanxi and the people here.