Job Discussion Forums

Matty_Carter · Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Posts: 2

Hi

Im looking to do a 6 month stint in China somewhere, but cannot handle 2 winters back to back. I'm assuming (a proven bad thing) that the south of China is subject to better weather??

Basically, I'd like to hear some recommendations of good Cities/towns in a warmer coastal area of China. What's more, does anyone know of schools around would be even better. Thanks heaps for any help.

Cheers

Super Mario · Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 6:15 am Post subject:

The more southerly, the warmer. There are thousands of schools in Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Guangzhou. I just hope you like humidity too.

Matty_Carter · Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Posts: 2

Love the humidity bro. Ahh cheers for that. Also, what is the shortest contracts that go on offer? Obviously they run generally for a school term, but can you ever pick up a 3 month spell? Through teachers pulling out, or smaller terms, or whatever reason?

Any info appreciated again

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

foreignDevil · Joined: 23 Jun 2003 Posts: 580

Guangdong winters are not warm! Remember, after the fall, the winds shift and start blowing from the north. (in earlier times, these were the "trade winds"... foreign traders used these winds to leave Canton/Macau and head back to SE Asia and the West beyond) So... winters in Guangdong are nowhere near as bad as in the north of China, but they are indeed chilly and dry for a period of time, roughly late December to February. It can be relatively brutal if you are not prepared...apartments do NOT have heat. you have to supply this yourself in the form of a space heater.

However, the operative word is "relatively". If you are seeking to flee the harsh winters of the North, Guangdong will certainly be a somewhat of a respite.

**check out Hainan... I have never been there, but supposedly it is warmer even in the middle of the winter. Can't say for sure, though. You would have to confirm that with someone who has lived there.

cheeba · Joined: 15 Oct 2004 Posts: 180

If you want a mild winter check out Heilongjiang, known for it's balmy climate in January and Febuary. Better yet, spend five minutes on the Internet looking at maps and average precipitation/climate charts.

HunanForeignGuy · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 989 Location: Shanghai, PRC

All things are relative.

Sure, Harbin is dreadful in winter.

Chengdu is not bad at all. It can rain a alot and feel like Vancouver or Seattle but I think I only saw snow once...for about 10 seconds.

Hainan is great but jobs are not so plentiful (oversupply of foreign teachers) and yes the winters are really wonderful.

I don't agree with the previous writer re Guangdong. All things considered, Guangdong winters are very short and temperate compared to the rest of the country.

If you have the credentials, perhaps you may wish to try Hong Kong.

You may wish to try Kunming. Perhaps our posters who live there could give us more of an idea. I was only there two years ago January and the weather was exceptionally mild and the city was still quite verdant for that time of the year.

As for a three-month stint, that's been discussed around here a lot before. You may wish to do a search on this Board. Sure you may find a job but like TW writes, what kind of a job and will you get paid.

All the best,

HFG