When applying to teach abroad in China, some applicants may list Beijing or Shanghai as preferred cities simply because they are the two cities they have heard of before. While these are great cities to live in, demand to teach there tends to be very high, and Boston Roundtable is not always able to accommodate all requests. We encourage all applicants to consider each city equally and may help to make the choice that is right for you.

To get started. here is some basic information about each city. Feel free to research more on your own!

Beijing

The capitol of China, Beijing is known for its bikes, bays, and bustling city life! An international hub for people of all walks of life, Beijing is also home to many world-renowned sites, such as the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and of course the unforgettable Great Wall of China! Beijing is also a great place to practice speaking Chinese since the national standard for Mandarin is based largely off of the Beijing dialect! 

Location: Northeast (surrounded by Hebei Province)
Population: ~22 million
Weather: Dry, temperate summers and cold winters

Shanghai

With a population exceeding 25 million, Shanghai is the third most populous city in the world. Despite this financial centre city's intimidating size, Shanghai is fairly easy to navigate for visitors and has an easy-to-understand subway system. It is home to the famous Shanghai Tower, which features the world's highest observation deck, as well as the Bund, a stunning sprawl of European architecture along the Huangpu river.

Location: Central-east (bordering Jiangsu and Zhejiang) 
Population: ~25 million
Weather: Subtropical climate, rainy season during the Summer, moderately cold winters

Xi'an

Historically the capitol of China for several dynasties, Xi'an remains one of the most popular cities to visit in the central part of the country. Most well-known as the home of Qin Shi Huang's Terracotta Army, it also has many historic travel opportunities, such as touring the bell and drum towers or riding bikes on the ancient inner city wall! It's cuisine is noodle-heavy, and the famous biang biang noodles are not to be missed!
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Location: ​North Central
Population: ~12 million
Weather: Hot summers, cool winters with moderate snow

Chengdu

Chengdu is most famous for being home of China's giant pandas, but it is also known for its spicy food, highly theatrical Sichuan Opera, and vibrant history. As the capitol of China's abundant Sichuan province, as well as one of the largest cities in Western China with a youthful workforce, it is a popular destination for international companies and investors. Its history and modern attractions make it a popular tourism and living site for foreigners.

Location: West
​Population: ~15 million
Weather: ​Hot and rainy summers, temperate fall and winter

Wuhan

Placed along the massive Yangtze River, Wuhan's quaint sub-towns are easily accessible across an intricate bridge and tunnel system. Historically, Wuhan played a large role in cultivating transportation technology for all of China, and thus is sometimes known as the "Chicago of China." With a smaller population (by China standards!), Wuhan is also recognized as an education and cultural center of central China.

Location: East Central
Population: ~10 million
Weather: Sub-tropical, temperate Fall and Winter

Zhengzhou

Zhengzhou is another burgeoning education and cultural center for central China, as well as a major transportation hub for China's railway, highway and airport system. There are many historic sites to visit, such as the Dahe Village and Shang Dynasty ruins, as well as contemporary attractions such as the 388-meter Zhongyuan Tower. It's known for thick, noodle-heavy cuisine such as malatang, a delicious soup breakfast. 

Location: East Central
Population: ~9 million
Weather:​ Humid summers, cold winters

Guangzhou

A thriving metropolis in its own right and a short distance from Hong Kong, Guangzhou is known for sky-scraping buildings, gorgeous flowers that bloom year-round, and burgeoning industries. Its popular Cantonese cuisine is characterized by seafood because of its ocean proximity, as well as a variety of sauces now popularized around the world, such as sweet and sour. Historically, Guangzhou was a key city in the Silk Road and continues to economically thrive today.

Location: South East
Population: 14.5 million
Weather: ​Rainy season beginning in Spring, humid summers and cool winters