Job Discussion Forums

ignace · Joined: 10 Dec 2009 Posts: 8

Please let me introduce myself. In 2008-2009 I taught Adult ESL in Seoul. During that time I also got the chance to travel and teach in Beijing between November '08 and January '09.

Anyway, I loved being in China, and now I'm looking to go back. I have been looking for a job in Shanghai over the past few months. I want to live in a large city; I chose to look in Shanghai because of it's obvious stature, and because many of the people I met in Beijing recommended I go there.

My job search hasn't been as immediately profitable as I'd hoped. I'm now wondering if I'm ignoring some other great cities just by focusing on Shanghai (probably!).

Wikipedia has this list of the largest cities in China -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_in_the_People%27s_Republic_of_China_by_population . I've been reading about them - but I'd love to hear some first hand knowledge. Probably, I'm looking for cities in the the top 10-15 of that list.

Any recommendations from those of you who have lived in these cities? I'm interested in any advice you can give me. I personally have a pretty wide range of interests - I love to sightsee and photograph, eat and socialize.

Thanks very much for taking the time to answer my post!

cormac · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 768 Location: Xi'an (XTU)

When you say large cites, how large?

See, I'm from Ireland and my hometown is roughly 20k people. Dublin has 3m but thats not really a lot of people, but Dublin covers a similar area as LA.. So, what is Large, for you? (I'm well traveled having been to most of the more famous cities - I'm a nightclub addict, and have a goal of dancing in them all.. Laughing

)

Personally, I'd recommend Xi'an. I loved my time there. Not too big, not too small. (on average about 11-12 million people I think) Only a few thousand expats around so you can have the feeling you're alone in china, and yet can meet westerners in the bar after work. Great food from all over the country. Awesome history, although I must admit I'm not much of a tourist. highly recommend the Muslim quarter for food. Good nightclubs (for the most part). And extremely friendly people.. although the usual few swindlers.

All in all one of my favorite cities in the world to live in..

Laurence · Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Posts: 401

the A list:

Shanghai
Beijing
Dalian
Qingdao
Kunming
Xiamen
Chengdu
Shenzhen
Zhuhai
Suzhou
Hangzhou
Nanjing

ignace · Joined: 10 Dec 2009 Posts: 8

Thank your for your replies. cormac, large for me would probably be 6-7 million people or more. Xi'an, huh? I'll take a closer look.

Seuss930 · Joined: 18 Jan 2010 Posts: 37

Large - who knows exactly but when you check the internet, make sure the population you're looking
at doesn't include all the outlying farm districts
I'm in a smaller city - 2-4 million (mabye - nobody really knows I think) - but the population will show 4-8 million depending on what they count

also, capitals are usually a safe bet

That A list I saw posted looks good

SnoopBot · Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 740 Location: USA

Does anyone know if the Beijing area still requires 2-years experience and a reputable 4-year degree for employment/visa?

Note: if these requirements are still in place these facts should be mentioned to the newbies coming to China that desire to teach in the Beiing area institutions.

corij · Joined: 03 Dec 2009 Posts: 26

beware of going to north china . the dust blowing across from the Gobi desert makes life unbearable .painful for the eyes,the grit . i was in Shenyang and theres a massive tree planting scheme underway because ALL the city trees have died from drought. no birds or wildlife.

Austeach2010 · Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 56

What about Chongqing?

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Can one get 8000 to 10000 in Shenzhen at a university or elementary school?

rogerwallace · Joined: 24 Nov 2004 Posts: 66 Location: California

I've taught at universities in Xian, Harbi, Tianjin-had a great time in them all. Harbin(9 mil.) was great with the ice festival and all,Xian is a very cool place indead. Tianjin(extra large18mil) is close to Beijing,the coast and the train/airpots). Good luck!

MDDude · Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 7:30 pm Post subject: Re: big cities cont.

rogerwallace · Joined: 24 Nov 2004 Posts: 66 Location: California

If you like to reduce the boredom/longing for home just a wee bit, big cities have more to offer(pizza hut,coffee houses,hard rock cafe,metro stores,etc).
You can always take a trip to more out of the way places during breaks. The trains are good but get sleeper berth(you can close the door and get some rest).

shenyanggerry · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 619 Location: Canada

corij said:

ignace · Joined: 10 Dec 2009 Posts: 8

Thanks for the thoughtful replies!

lmarkotan · Joined: 05 Dec 2009 Posts: 8 Location: Slovakia

I looked up the cities from the A list at Wikipedia, they look great. I just wonder whether the sea is clean enough to swim, how safe is it?

By the way, how safe are these cities in general, as far as crime is concerned, compared to other cities around the world ?