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[McBrainiac]

Hi, I am wondering if anybody has any information on Hohot, Inner Mongolia, particularly the cost of living, air quality, etc.

I have been offered a position at UFEIC Bilingo-China International College teaching at their operation in Hohot, and I wonder if anybody has any comments about the place?

Thanks

[filippofuzhou]

Hohhot has both good and bad sides, these latter being more than the former.

Good sides:

-It's not as polluted as other cities (i.e. Beijing)
-You can sometimes see a true bule sky
-pace of life is extremely slow and relaxing.
-shopkeepers and cab drivers do not rip you off.
-it's a good place for practicing Chinese.

Bad sides:

-it hasn't got any "Chinese" charm. It's definitely the ugliest and most squalid city I have ever seen in China. There are no cultural or artistic relics, but only a disordered mass of monstrous and dirty buildings built in the 1970s and 1980s. The only historical spot (near the rebuilt temple) is being demolished. Definitely this city hasn't got any cultural/historical attraction.

-The city is growing disorderly, so the main issues are traffic (which is REALLY chaotic at times), noise and bad city planning. It's really dirty and messy, but it's not that charming dirt and mess you can find in some towns in the south of China. The dirt and mess here is pure ugliness. Tall buildings that cover and spoil any view are popping up like mushroom. Very often is nearly impossible to catch a cab. If you want to get a bus, expect to wait for half an hour or more. Transportation is horrible.

-It's extremely cold in winter and extremely hot and dry in summer. Shortage of water in summer is a common issue. Being that dry, the city has almost no vegetation. Sand storms might be a serious issue. The surroundings aren't interesting at all, the only natural spot close to the city, Da Qing Shan is just a semi-rocky hill with few trees. The view from there rather saddening: you can only see this monstrous enormous ugly city and a messy countryside. The grassland, in spite of what many web sites say, is rather far from the city.

-Almost nobody speaks English. Only few international students can, but on the whole their level is far below the standards.

-It's difficult to make friends or establish social relationships. You'll hardly get beyond an occasional glance or a timid smile. People here aren't very friendly or open. In Baotou, the largest city in Inner Mongolia, people are more open, friendly and willing to approach foreigners. After few months in Hohhot, you'll feel extremely isolated. You may make some friends, though, but do not expect a deep or articulated conversation or true friendship. Everything is kept on a very shallow and dull level.

-Cost of living is rather high, if compared to the standards and quality of surrounding cities (Baotou).

-Nightlife isn't great. There are few decent bars in the Yellow Street (a block from Inner Mongolia University), but unless you have foreign friends, you'll end up drinking alone. There is no scene of any sort at all.

-Ethnic conflicts between Mongolians and Chinese may occasionally result in curfews or internet cutoffs. Mongolians aren't what I call "nice" people. They tend to be pretty rude, sometimes nasty and they seem to be just using you for whatever personal agenda they've got. The younger Chinese generation -those rich kids, I mean- is pretty spoiled and arrogant, but that's almost the same everywhere in China, I guess. I can't say people here are well-mannered, on the contrary...

-It's not an "international" city at all, so if you're looking for western foods, you may find them at rather expensive prices. Local food is ok, though too oily. Western restaurants are few and expensive. The food served isn't memorable at all.

All in all, this city has totally disappointed me. I came here in order to find a true artistic or historical "Chinese" feel, but all I've found is just squalor, ugliness and boredom. Baotou is far better and greener than Hohhot (at least there more people can speak English and make friends.with you).

[McBrainiac]

Thanks