Job Discussion Forums

mykrobb · Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 13

Hello everyone,
Does anybody happen to know much about the Hongqiao district of Tianjin? I just got a job offer for a primary school there and I haven't been able to find out much about it. I would kind of like to be situated in an area of the city that is relatively nearby the city's center or near where all of the action is, not in some distant suburb. Thanks.

M

bendan · Joined: 18 Jun 2004 Posts: 739 Location: North China

Hongqiao is on the north side of the centre - depends which part of Hongqiao as to whether you'd be close to the centre or not, but you'd probably be within an easy 20/30 minute bus ride.

Very few foreigners live or work in Hongqiao, and you'd probably find that the "action" is on the other side of the city centre.

NateM · Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Posts: 358

Yeah, most of the things happening are going to be a little further south. However, it isn't like you're going to be stuck out in the boonies of Jixian, either.

bendan · Joined: 18 Jun 2004 Posts: 739 Location: North China

I should add that the new subway line is opening this year. It runs through Hongqiao, so getting into the city centre would probably be very quick. It wouldn't help so much for nightlife; you'd probably be looking at 20 to 30 RMB cab fares for getting home.

chinaboytian · Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Posts: 132 Location: Tianjin

I liked Tianjin, taught there for two years. There are plenty of jobs for everyone. The action, however is on the southern side south of the main river which cuts east-west through the downtown of the city. I would recommend trying to stay within an easy taxi ride of the city downtown and there is plenty of things to do around there. The water park (shuishanggongyuan) is on the southwest side and is very nice place to frequent when it is not so crowded.

If you stay closer to the center you can go most places by bicycle, which is a big plus.