Best Cities to Teach in China – Top Locations for ESL Jobs
Find the best cities to teach in China for ESL jobs! Explore top locations like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and more. Find out which city suits your teaching and lifestyle goals.
Picture yourself teaching English in China, where old temples sit next to modern skyscrapers, and street markets are filled with delicious food. Every day brings something new, from exploring local culture to building your teaching career. China isn’t just a place to work—it’s an experience.
Choosing where to teach in China can feel overwhelming. Do you want the fast-paced city life of Shanghai, the rich history of Beijing, or the peaceful scenery of Hangzhou? The best city depends on your goals, lifestyle, and the kind of experience you want.
This guide will help you find the best cities to teach in China based on salary, cost of living, lifestyle, and more. We’ll highlight cities where you can earn well and experience amazing local culture. Whether you want to save money, explore new places, or build your teaching career, this guide will make your choice easier.
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Is China a Good Place to Teach English?
Yes! The demand for teachers is high, another point in its favor: It’s very cheap to live there, allowing you to enjoy your new life while buying heaps of souvenirs for family and friends back home. Teachers earn between 10,000 and 29,000 RMB (this amount is between about 1,400 to 4,000 USD) every month, depending on experience; it may not seem like much, but it will go a long way in the low-cost environment that is far from our standard of living. Teaching in China is 100% recommended for anyone with adventure and a little money to save.
Aerial view of Shanghai at night
Best Cities to Teach in China: Top Locations for Teaching Jobs
Teaching in different cities in China means you’ll get to experience new cultures, career opportunities, and lifestyles. To help you decide, we’ve put together a list of the most popular cities for expats to live and work in. Let’s dive in!
Beijing: The Cultural and Historical Hub
Ancient temple in the Forbidden City
Beijing is a city where old and new exist side by side. You could walk through historic sights such as Tian’anmen Square and the Great Wall in the morning and then head to the modern shopping malls and nightlife in the evening. It is an ideal location for English teachers who want to bask in Chinese culture while being afforded the conveniences of a big city. While salaries are substantially better, so is living. So if it’s a bustling yet historical city with a good expat community you want, then Beijing would be the best choice.
| Category | Beijing |
| Average Salary | 12,000 – 28,000 RMB |
| Monthly Cost of Living | Rent (City Center): 4,000 – 7,000 RMB |
| Rent (Outside City Center): 2,500 – 4,500 RMB | |
| Food (Local Meal): 20 – 40 RMB | |
| Food (Western Meal): 80 – 120 RMB | |
| Groceries (Monthly): 900 – 1,400 RMB | |
| Lifestyle | Historic, cultural, large expat community, well-connected metro system |
| Local Cuisine | Peking Duck, Zhajiangmian (noodles with soybean paste), Dumplings |
| Nearby Cities & Travel | Tianjin (30min, around 60 RMB), Chengde (2hrs, 70-100 RMB), Qinhuangdao (2hrs, 50-80 RMB) |
| Language | Mandarin (many speak basic English in expat areas) |
| Weather | Hot summers, cold winters with dry air |
| Expat Community | Large expat presence, international schools, cultural events |
Shanghai: The Vibrant Metropolis for Teaching English
Shanghai is a lively and modern city with lots of opportunities for foreign teachers, both in work and social life. Salaries at private and international schools can be quite good, with some teachers earning up to 30,000 RMB (about 4,300 USD) per month.
One of the great things about living in Shanghai is how easy it is to explore nearby cities. Thanks to the fast train system, you can take weekend trips to places like Hangzhou, Nanjing, or Suzhou, all just 1-2 hours away. Back in the city, there’s always something to do. The nightlife is fun and diverse, with bars for every taste. Whether you enjoy city life, cultural experiences, shopping, food, or nightlife, Shanghai has it all.
| Category | Shanghai |
| Average Salary | 15,000 – 30,000 RMB |
| Monthly Cost of Living | Rent (City Center): 5,000 – 10,000 RMB |
| Rent (Outside City Center): 3,000 – 6,000 RMB | |
| Food (Local Meal): 30 – 60 RMB | |
| Food (Western Meal): 100 – 200 RMB | |
| Groceries (Monthly): 1,500 – 2,500 RMB | |
| Lifestyle | Modern, cosmopolitan, vibrant nightlife, diverse expat community |
| Local Cuisine | Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), Shengjianbao (pan-fried buns), Scallion oil noodles |
| Nearby Cities & Travel | Hangzhou (1 hour, 50 –100 RMB), Suzhou (30 minutes, ¥30–¥60), Nanjing (1.5 hours, 100 –150 RMB) |
| Language | Mandarin (many speak basic English in expat areas) |
| Weather | Hot, humid summers; mild, damp winters |
| Expat Community | Large expat presence, international schools, cultural events |
Guangzhou: A Gateway to Southern China for ESL Jobs
Guangzhou is where old Cantonese culture meets modern life. Compared to other big cities, it’s more affordable to live here. The food here is amazing—Dim Sum, Roast Goose, Clay Pot Rice are just a few to try. It’s perfect for anyone who loves Chinese food but not too spicy.
For ESL teachers, there are tons of job opportunities at international schools and training centers. Salaries range from 10,000 to 25,000 RMB (1,300 to 3,500 USD) per month. The city has a warm and humid climate, easy transportation and cool spots like Yue Xiu Park and Canton Tower. And if you want to go out, Hong Kong and Macao is just 1-2 hours away!
| Category | Guangzhou |
| Average Salary | 10,000 – 24,000 RMB |
| Monthly Cost of Living | Rent (City Center): 3,000 – 6,000 RMB |
| Rent (Outside City Center): 1,500 – 3,000 RMB | |
| Food (Local Meal): 15 – 30 RMB | |
| Food (Western Meal): 60 – 100 RMB | |
| Groceries (Monthly): 800 – 1,500 RMB | |
| Lifestyle | Modern, vibrant, rich cultural heritage, diverse expat community |
| Local Cuisine | Dim Sum, Cantonese Roast Duck, Wonton Noodles |
| Nearby Cities & Travel | Shenzhen (1 hour, 40 – 80 RMB), Hong Kong (2 hours, 150–200 RMB), Zhuhai (2 hours, 60 – 100 RMB) |
| Language | Cantonese (Mandarin widely spoken) |
| Weather | Hot, humid summers; mild, dry winters |
| Expat Community | Growing expat presence, international schools, cultural events |
Shenzhen: Gateway to Hong Kong & A Modern Metropolis
Shenzhen is a busting city with nice weather. Only 1 hour from Guangzhou by train, the cost of living is a bit higher but still lower than Beijing or Shanghai. You can easily visit nearby cities like Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Macao in 1-2 hours. For teachers, salaries range from 10,000 to 25,000 RMB per month (about 1,300 to 3,500 USD). The city has a modern feel with a mix of Western and Chinese culture. If you want a lively city to live in, Shenzhen is worth considering.
| Category | Shenzhen |
| Average Salary | 10,000 – 25,000 RMB |
| Monthly Cost of Living | Rent (City Center): 5,000 – 8,000 RMB |
| Rent (Outside City Center): 2,500 – 5,000 RMB | |
| Food (Local Meal): 25 – 50 RMB | |
| Food (Western Meal): 80 – 120 RMB | |
| Groceries (Monthly): 1,200 – 1,800 RMB | |
| Lifestyle | Modern, fast-paced, tech hub, high expat community, lots of entertainment |
| Local Cuisine | Cantonese Dim Sum, Cantonese Sausage, Seafood Hot Pot… |
| Nearby Cities & Travel | Guangzhou (1 hour, 40–80 RMB), Hong Kong (30 mins, 80 –150 RMB), Zhuhai (2 hours, 60 –100 RMB) |
| Language | Mandarin (English spoken in business and expat areas) |
| Weather | Hot, humid summers; mild, dry winters |
| Expat Community | Large and diverse, international schools, startup culture |
Hangzhou: Teach English in China's "Paradise on Earth"
Hangzhou is a marvelous city, home to the tranquil West Lake and the historic Lingyin Temple. It is opposite to the fast-paced life of cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen. On average, teaching salaries there range from 14,000 to 26,000 RMB (roughly 1,900 to 3,600 USD), with some international schools even offering as much as 30,000 RMB. Quite an affordable cost of living, similar to Suzhou. And in case you want to take a short trip, Shanghai is just 1-2 hours away by train.
| Category | Hangzhou |
| Average Salary | 14,000 – 26,000 RMB |
| Monthly Cost of Living | Rent (City Center): 2,500 – 6,000 RMB |
| Rent (Outside City Center): 1,500 – 3,500 RMB | |
| Food (Local Meal): 20 – 50 RMB | |
| Food (Western Meal): 70 – 120 RMB | |
| Groceries (Monthly): 900 – 1,500 RMB | |
| Lifestyle | Scenic, rich cultural history, slow-paced lifestyle, modern with nature |
| Local Cuisine | Longjing Tea, Dongpo Pork, Hangzhou-style Noodles, Freshwater Fish |
| Nearby Cities & Travel | Shanghai (1 hour, 40–60 RMB), Nanjing (2 hours, ¥60–¥100), Suzhou (2 hours, ¥50–¥80) |
| Language | Mandarin (basic English spoken in expat areas) |
| Weather | Hot, humid summers; mild, rainy winters |
| Expat Community | Moderate expat presence, focus on culture, nature, and tech industries |
Finding Your Perfect City to Teach in China
Choosing the best city to teach in China isn’t just about salaries or cost of living—it’s about finding a place that fits your lifestyle, interests, and sense of adventure. Do you thrive in the fast-paced energy of Shanghai? Are you drawn to Beijing’s deep history and cultural richness? Maybe the tech-driven vibe of Shenzhen or the scenic beauty of Hangzhou feels more like home.
Each city has its own rhythm, from the street food stalls of Guangzhou to the quiet tea houses overlooking West Lake in Hangzhou. Some places will challenge you, others will surprise you, and all of them will give you a deeper understanding of life in China.
At the end of the day, the best city to teach in China is the one that excites you the most. Whether you’re chasing career growth, cultural immersion, or a new adventure, China has a city that’s ready to welcome you. So, which one will you call home?
If you have any questions about teaching jobs in China and the Apostille, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at support@eslnest.com. Learn more about teaching in China, check out our article Teach English in China – A Complete Guide 2025.
If you’re curious about how your salary fits into the bigger picture, check out our guide on Salary and Living Costs for Teaching in China: Is 15,000 RMB Enough?
We’re here to assist you every step of the way!