Meghan Hodges
China is a popular destination for teaching English as a foreign language, with a unique and varied landscape, a strong education system, and a growing enthusiasm for learning English. However, it is also known for its pollution problems, especially in large cities such as Xian. If you're looking for a place to teach English in China where pollution is less of an issue, there are a few options to consider. One option is to look at Tier 2 cities, which have smaller populations and are less industrialized than Tier 1 cities like Beijing and Shanghai. Chengdu, for example, is known for its beautiful parks, friendly locals, and low pollution levels. Shenzhen is another city with low pollution due to its constant sea breeze, and it offers an enviable lifestyle for teachers with its social scene, shopping, and travel opportunities. Luoyang, a former capital of China, is another smaller city with a more relaxed pace of life and less pollution. While Kunming has cleaner air, the market for English teachers is more saturated. So, while there are options for teaching English in less polluted areas of China, it's important to consider the trade-offs in terms of job opportunities and other factors that align with your preferences and goals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tier | 2 |
| City Population | 3-15 million |
| Pollution | Low |
| Examples | Chengdu, Shenzhen |
| Lifestyle | Laid-back, attractive wilderness, good food |
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What You'll Learn
- Shenzhen: a great social scene, beaches, and low pollution
- Guangzhou: a fast-growing, productive city with green spaces
- Luoyang: a small city with imperial charm and a relaxed pace of life
- Chengdu: a beautiful, laid-back Tier 2 city with friendly locals and great food
- Shanghai: the most international city in China with numerous teaching jobs
Shenzhen: a great social scene, beaches, and low pollution
Shenzhen is a modern, vibrant metropolis in southern China, boasting a dynamic economy, a stunning skyline, and a thriving tech and innovation hub. It is also known for its unique cultural and natural attractions, making it an ideal destination for English teachers seeking a blend of modernity and leisure. The city offers a high quality of life, with a warm, subtropical monsoon climate, competitive salaries, and a diverse range of teaching opportunities.
Shenzhen has a thriving social scene, with popular areas like Shekou, Nanshan, and Futian offering a variety of international restaurants, cafes, and bars. The city also has a vibrant cultural scene, with establishments like Party World providing a quintessential Chinese karaoke experience, and the Shenzhen Grand Theatre hosting refined performances of ballet, opera, and live orchestra.
For those who enjoy the outdoors, Shenzhen offers several scenic beaches, such as Dameisha, Xiaomeisha, and Nan'ao. These beaches feature soft sand and warm sunshine, creating a tropical retreat-like atmosphere. The city is also home to renowned green spaces, including Lianhua Mountain Park and Fairy Lake Botanical Gardens, which are considered among the most beautiful parks in China.
In addition to its modern amenities, Shenzhen provides opportunities for cultural immersion. Learning basic Mandarin phrases and even some Cantonese can greatly enrich your experience and facilitate daily tasks. Shenzhen offers a diverse and growing expat community, making it easy for newcomers to connect with like-minded individuals and find social connections and support.
With its exciting urban life, natural beauty, and vibrant social scene, Shenzhen presents a compelling option for teaching English in China while enjoying its low pollution levels and the conveniences of a modern, innovative city.
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Guangzhou: a fast-growing, productive city with green spaces
Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province in southern China, is a fast-growing, productive city with a rich history and an impressive urban green space infrastructure. With a population of over 18 million people, it is one of China's three largest cities and a major Asia-Pacific finance hub, ranking 21st globally in the 2020 Global Financial Centres Index. Despite its dense population, Guangzhou boasts a number of green spaces and accessible urban parks for its residents to enjoy.
The city has a long history, dating back over 2,200 years, and was once a major terminus of the Silk Road. Today, Guangzhou continues to be a bustling centre of commerce and trade, known for its expensive real estate market and its annual Canton Fair, the oldest and largest trade fair in China. The city also ranks highly in terms of research and development, hosting numerous Double First-Class Universities, including Sun Yat-sen University.
In recent years, Guangzhou has been focusing on sustainable urban development, with studies investigating the long-term changes in urban green space accessibility (UGSA) and equity. These studies have revealed spatial heterogeneity in UGSA, with peri-urban districts having more access to green spaces compared to core urban districts. The results of these studies will help inform future policy-making, ensuring that all residents have adequate and equitable access to green spaces, which provide essential ecological, recreational, and social-cultural benefits.
One of the unique features of Guangzhou is its complex geological structure, which provides a diverse range of vegetation and agricultural produce. The city is known for its high-quality and varied vegetables, with over 370 species, and is the centre of origin for fruits such as lychee, longan, and yellow skin. Guangzhou's commitment to sustainability and green spaces makes it an attractive option for those seeking to teach English in a thriving, yet environmentally conscious, urban environment.
Overall, Guangzhou presents a unique blend of historical significance, economic growth, and a focus on sustainable development. With its vibrant culture, modern amenities, and accessible green spaces, Guangzhou offers a dynamic and productive environment for those looking to teach English in China while also enjoying the benefits of the city's natural offerings.
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Luoyang: a small city with imperial charm and a relaxed pace of life
Luoyang, a small city situated in Henan Province, China, is a fantastic choice for teaching English in a relaxed environment with a rich cultural heritage. With a population of around 7 million, Luoyang offers a more tranquil pace of life compared to bustling metropolises like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen.
Rich Cultural Heritage
Luoyang, once the capital of China during the Sui and Tang dynasties, retains its imperial charm. The city boasts cultural and natural wonders, including the Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring stunning Buddhist carvings. The White Horse Temple, China's first Buddhist temple, and the nearby Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of Kung Fu, offer a glimpse into the city's spiritual history. Luoyang's Old Town (Laocheng District) exudes historical charm with its lively vibe, narrow streets, and sites like Luoyi Ancient City and Lijing Gate.
Affordable and Comfortable Lifestyle
Luoyang provides a lower cost of living compared to larger cities while still offering competitive salaries for English teachers. The average salary for an English teacher in China is $2,200 USD, often accompanied by provided accommodation or a living subsidy. With its affordable lifestyle, teachers can enjoy a comfortable existence, save money, or travel to nearby destinations. Luoyang's well-connected transportation network makes it easy to explore Central China, with convenient access to cities like Zhengzhou and Xi'an, and larger cities like Beijing.
Natural Beauty and Leisure Activities
Luoyang is surrounded by natural beauty and offers plenty of leisure activities. Wangcheng Park, the city's largest park, is a tranquil haven, especially during the vibrant Peony Festival. Mount Song, one of China's sacred mountains, provides hiking trails and breathtaking views. The Yi River Scenic Area offers boat rides and picturesque landscapes near the Longmen Grottoes. Luoyang's nightlife is quieter but charming, featuring Bar Street (Jiefang Road) with a mix of bars and lounges, and traditional teahouses where you can sample Chinese teas.
Teaching Opportunities
Luoyang presents excellent opportunities for teaching English. Numerous sources cite living and teaching in Luoyang for several years, praising the city's cultural immersion, convenient location, and relaxed pace. The city's central location makes it easy to visit other parts of China, with Xi'an just 90 minutes away by fast train. Teaching English in Luoyang allows individuals to experience the traditions and stories that have shaped China's identity while enjoying a comfortable lifestyle and exploring the city's historical and cultural landmarks.
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Chengdu: a beautiful, laid-back Tier 2 city with friendly locals and great food
Chengdu is a beautiful, laid-back Tier 2 city in China, known for its friendly locals and incredible food. The city has a unique, relaxed environment, making it a perfect setting for a fulfilling teaching experience.
Chengdu is famous for its food culture, particularly its spicy Sichuan cuisine. The city offers a wide range of dining options, from inexpensive restaurants serving local specialties to mid-range and fine dining establishments. The local markets and supermarkets also offer affordable groceries, making it easy to explore and cook the local cuisine yourself. Chengdu's street food scene is also worth mentioning, with countless stalls offering a variety of traditional dishes and snacks.
The city has a vibrant cultural calendar, reflecting its rich history and traditions. Popular festivals include the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Sichuan Lantern Festival, Chinese New Year (Spring Festival), and the Dragon Boat Festival, where you can immerse yourself in local customs and delicacies. Chengdu is also known for its teahouses, providing the perfect setting to relax, socialise, and connect with locals.
Chengdu has a growing expat community, with popular areas like Tongzilin, Wuhou District, and Jinjiang District serving as hubs. These areas offer a diverse range of international restaurants, cafes, and bars, making it easy to connect with other expats and professionals. The cost of living in Chengdu is relatively low compared to other major cities, and the public transportation system is efficient and budget-friendly, making it easy to get around.
Teaching English in Chengdu provides a unique opportunity to embrace the rich culture of Sichuan province. The locals are known for their warm and friendly demeanour, making it easy to build lasting friendships and feel at home. The academic year in China begins in September, with a secondary hiring season in February, making it straightforward to find teaching positions with the right preparation.
Overall, Chengdu offers a beautiful, laid-back environment with friendly locals and a vibrant food scene, making it a desirable destination for teaching English in China.
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Shanghai: the most international city in China with numerous teaching jobs
Shanghai, the most international city in China, boasts numerous teaching jobs. It is a huge draw for job seekers, especially native English speakers with a college degree and a TEFL certification. Shanghai has a position for you. The demand for English teachers in Shanghai is high, and parents are eager to have their children learn the language. Businesspeople are also willing to pay for private classes, making Shanghai a place with great opportunities.
The city is a center of commerce, technology, education, tourism, and entertainment, and it represents one of the largest job markets for teaching English abroad, not just in China but worldwide. From kindergartens to high schools, universities, and corporate training institutes, there are thousands of job opportunities for native English speakers to teach in this fantastic city.
The salaries in Shanghai may surpass those in many other Chinese cities, but it is important to note that the cost of living is also considerably higher than in most mainland Chinese locations. There are trade-offs to consider when choosing a school to work at. For example, if you want a higher salary, you'll need to work more hours, so you may want to consider an international school. However, if you prefer more time off, you might opt for a university, where the salary is lower but the working hours are fewer.
Shanghai also makes a great base for travel. You can easily take a high-speed train to Beijing or catch a flight to almost any city in Asia. The convenience of travel within China and Asia is one of the top benefits of living and teaching in Shanghai.
With its spectacular skyline, the restored colonial charm of the old Bund, and the tranquility of the Yu Garden, Shanghai has something for everyone. Known as the "Paris of the East," the city dazzles with its modern look while also honouring its dramatic past and traditions. Whether you're into nightlife and clubs or history and Michelin-star restaurants, Shanghai has it all.
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Frequently asked questions
Suzhou is a great option for those looking to teach English in China without having to deal with pollution. It is a beautiful city known for its canals and gardens and is less globalized than nearby metropoles such as Shanghai. It is also considerably cheaper than Shanghai, with the added benefit of being just 25-30 minutes away by bullet train, so you can visit Shanghai without having to live with the pollution.
Luoyang is another city in China that is less polluted than bigger cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. Luoyang was once the capital of China during the Sui and Tang dynasties and retains much of its imperial charm. With a population of around 7 million, it offers a more relaxed pace of life.
Other factors to consider include the cost of living, transportation options, and the availability of teaching jobs. It is also important to do your research and be wary of Chinese recruitment agents, as some companies tend to operate in a grey area.
Other recommended cities to teach English in China include Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Shenzhen. These cities offer a variety of teaching opportunities, from kindergartens and preschools to high schools and universities. They also boast rich cultural experiences, such as Beijing's famous duck dishes and Guangzhou's delicious dim sum.
