China is a vast country with many opportunities for international teachers. Each of its cities offers unique cultures and experiences for native English speakers with a bachelor’s degree. Best yet, China has something for everyone. Whether you want the sweet cuisine of Shanghai, the business of Beijing, or the cost-effectiveness of Guangzhou, China’s cities are some of the best the world has to offer. Also, there is the option to teach English online to Chinese students. And with its high demand for teachers, teaching English in China makes it easy to save money. Check out this guide on the best cities in China to teach English so you can choose the best option for your tastes.

Teach English in China
If you’re a native English speaker and want to teach English in China, continue reading so you’ll know everything you need to start a career as an English teacher in China. Or, are you looking for details on the types of jobs and salaries in China? Find out more about teaching English in China right here.
The Best Places to Teach English in China
As one of the most popular destinations to teach English abroad, you will want to do some research into the best destination for your needs and desires. As such a large and populated country, you have every opportunity you can imagine to teach English in China. Whether you want to explore ancient history or modern culture, China has both. Best yet, it has ideal environments to choose from, from tropical to temperate paradises. With such diversity, the quality of life and work expectations can change quite a bit from region to region.
Check out this guide on the best cities in China to teach English.
Requirements for the Best Cities in China to Teach English
Although China as a whole has opportunities for teachers for all levels, there are legal requirements and preferred requirements for the best cities in China to teach English.
- Bachelor’s degree
- TEFL certificate
- Passport from English speaking country
- Supporting travel documentation
OR
- Two years teaching experience
These requirements will allow you to obtain a Z visa, which is the document needed for teaching English in China.
Many schools will have specific requirements, especially private and international institutions. You can expect the higher-paying jobs with better benefits to have more strings attached! But don’t worry, if you still want to teach ESL in China without some of these requirements, there are many programs to work online.
If you don’t meet these qualifications, there are certainly some volunteer English teaching programs for rural areas in China that have less stringent requirements.
#1: Teaching English in Beijing

Teaching English in China Requirements
- Highlight: Diverse Culture
- Population: 21.7 million
- Language: Mandarin
- Average Salary: 8,400-32,700 RMB/month
Beijing is the second most populated city in China, which means it has many job opportunities. Beijing has a distinct culture to it that feels different to the other best cities in China to teach English. This historic city is the capital of the country, where politics and culture converge. With so much to see and do here, including the Great Wall and Forbidden City, Beijing is on every traveler’s wishlist. With all its wonder and activity, living and teaching English in Beijing is a fantastic life.
Mandarin Chinese is the most commonly spoken dialect in Beijing, which is the national standard. With this and its diversity, Beijing is the ideal place to learn Chinese. Some schools even offer Mandarin lessons as an incentive in your teacher package. If they don’t, make sure to negotiate for yourself. The schools in Beijing compete by offering better salaries and benefits in order to get the best teachers.
As one of the larger cities, there are opportunities for teachers of all skill levels. Though TEFL certification is almost a must-have, there are even options to teach without a TEFL or bachelor’s degree. But if you want to make the most money while in Beijing, it is the private and international schools, as well as universities and businesses, that offer the best salaries.
Find out more here:
Teaching ESL in Beijing Guide.
#2: Teaching English in Shanghai

Teach English in The Pearl of Asia
- Highlight: China’s largest city
- Population: 24 million
- Language: Mandarin, Shanghainese
Shanghai is the definition of a Chinese cosmopolitan city. Although the vastness of the terrain and sheer amount of people can be overwhelming, the international quality of this city makes it easy to call home. No matter where you come from, you will always be able to find a piece of comfort from your home in Shanghai.
Of all the cities in China, Shanghai is considered to be the most Western. This means that there are plenty of high-paying jobs here! Many first-time teachers travel and live here, and there is a very large ex-pat community to support you. If you’re looking for this kind of experience, also consider teaching English in Hong Kong.
Particularly in Shangai where there are many private and international schools, you will benefit from having more teaching experience. Many schools will have specific requirements, so research into the institution you are interested in. You can expect the higher-paying jobs with better benefits to have more strings attached! But don’t worry, if you still want to teach ESL in China without some of these requirements, there are many programs to work online.
If you’re looking for a perfect blend of Chinese and Western culture in a city that makes teaching English in China accessible, then Shangai is the perfect location for you.
Find out more here:
Teaching English in Shanghai Guide.
#3: Teaching English in Guangzhou
- Highlight: Affordability
- Population: 14.4 million
- Language: Cantonese, Mandarin
- Average Salary: $1,200 – $2,400 USD per month
Guangzhou is China’s third-largest city and industrial center. Historically, it was an important location for the Silk Road, but now, its proximity to Hong Kong makes it vital for trading and production. Its geography, particularly its position beside the Pearl River, makes it a booming metropolitan area. Today this city houses many of China’s factories and working-class families.
One of the fantastic things about teaching English in Guangzhou is its location. It’s nestled in between the Nanling mountains and sits right before the Shizi Ocean. This means that is relatively isolated from the rest of China, making it a great location to travel to if you’ve already seen cities like Beijing and Shanghai. Best yet, both Hong Kong and Macao are short trips away, making this city a fantastic location to explore southeastern Asia.
Aside from Beijing and Shanghai, Guangzhou has the most opportunities to teach English in China. There is also a large variety of jobs, from public to private institutions.
#4: Teaching English in Shenzen
- Highlight: Tropical weather
- Population: 12.5 million
- Language: Mandarin and Cantonese
- Average Salary: $1,200 – $2,400 USD per month
Located in between Guangzhou and Hong Kong, Shenzen is famous for its tourism industry. It is an international tourism hub with a focus on science, fashion, and industry. The city is known as “the world leader completing new skyscrapers,” and is surrounded and infused with abundant forests. It truly is the perfect blend of nature and city. Best of all, its tropical climate means its summers are hot, and its winters are warm.
Just like Guangzhou, the cost of living in Shenzen is much lower than in the more populated cities in China. Teaching English in Shenzen and saving money is very easy. There are also a lot of jobs in the city due to its international culture, meaning you will have little difficulty finding great employment. The diverse culture, warm weather, and fantastic quality of life make Shenzen the ideal location for teachers looking for the perfect global hub.
As an international hotspot, Shenzen has many international schools, ESL academies, and public schools all employing those with a bachelor’s degree and TEFL certification. If you have these certifications, you will definitely want to look into teaching English in Shenzen.
#5: Teaching English in Hangzhou
- Highlight: Serene environment
- Population: 9.4 million
- Language: Mandarin
- Average salary: $1,300 – $2,200 USD per month
The city of Hangzhou is repeatedly rated as the best commercial city in mainland China by Forbes, and is a quiet hub for culture and history. With the World Heritage Site ‘West Lake’ and other natural wonders, this serene city attracts people who want the best from history and the modern world. Located a short trip away from Shanghai and Nanjing, Hangzhou is the perfect location to explore all of China.
Though the city is known for its beauty and peaceful culture, it is also a center for technology and entrepreneurship. As a very wealthy city, the citizens, schools, and businesses of Hangzhou seek the best international teachers and will pay for that talent with higher salaries and better benefits.
If you’re able to find affordable housing in addition to your high salary, teaching English in Hangzhou is very profitable for international teachers. Best yet, you can explore the rest of China with ease.
#6: Teaching English in Chengdu
- Highlight: Pandas!
- Population: 14.4 million
- Language: Sichuan Mandarin
- Average Salary: $950 – $1,200 USD per month
Pandas. What more can you ask for? They are beautiful and powerful creatures with an incredible history and story. There is no better symbol more representative of China than the panda. Although you can find these wonderous bears throughout the country, Chengdu’s Panda Reserve is by far the best location to view these animals. It is the only place in the world that is known for successfully breeding pandas every year.
Chengdu is a medium-sized Chinese city located in the Southwestern Sichuan province. It has a thriving ex-pat community and a very affordable cost of living. Although salaries are not as high in Chengdu compared to other cities, the lower cost of living makes this city very affordable. It’s also possible to get a high-paying job at an international or private school, or university, which will make your stay here very profitable.
If you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the larger eastern cities, then teaching English in Chengdu is the best option for you. And with its blend of natural and city environments, Chengdu is commonly referred to as the ideal location to begin your exploration of China.
#7: Teaching English in Nanjing
- Highlight: Modern history
- Population: 8.3 million
- Language: Nanjing Mandarin
- Average Salary: $1,200 – $2,400 USD per month
Nanjing is the ‘southern capital’ of China and has a rich and vibrant history and culture. It is known as ‘The City of Culture’. As a smaller city by Chinese standards and just north of Shanghai, Nanjing is the perfect location if you want to prioritize the quality of life with the ability to travel. If the hustle and bustle of the larger cities aren’t attractive, this smaller city is a great option.
You can play mahjong in one of the cities many parks, or enjoy wandering around the Xuanwu lake or Presidential Palace. No matter how you spend your time here, you will get to see the best of Chinese culture. Nanjing was once the capital of China, and as such, has rich museums of art and history you can enjoy as well. They also speak a very beautiful dialect of Mandarin that is very pleasant on the ears.
Although Nanjing has fewer job opportunities than the larger cities, there is still enough demand for English teachers that you will be able to teach English in Nanjing with ease. While the salaries are average by Chinese standards, the low cost of living and connections to larger cities make it an ideal home base.
#8: Teaching English in Xi’an
- Highlight: Ancient architecture
- Population: 8.4 million
- Language: Mandarin
- Average salary: $1,200 – $2,400 USD per month
A smaller city located in northwestern China, Xian is one of the most ancient cities in China. Like Nanjing, it too was once the capital of an ancient Chinese dynasty. The culture and history of this ancient city can be found in every block. Most exciting of all, the Terracotta Warriors can be found here, one of the most incredible Ancient Chinese wonders. The city is infused with modern and ancient architecture that makes it unique to all other cities in China.
There are also exciting industries located in Xian. It is actually home to China’s space exploration facilities, so if you are interested in science and astronomy, this city is perfect for you. The city is also ideal to navigate by transit and foot, meaning you won’t need a car or expensive transportation.
Because of the high-skilled industry in the city, there is a high demand for English teachers. You can teach English in Xian with ease because of the high demand. In addition to the international and private schools you can expect of a large city, there are also many opportunities to teach English in business settings in Xian.
The Best Places to Teach ESL in China FAQs
Looking for information on how to teach English in China? Check out this quick list.
What is the average salary for English teaching jobs in China?
China is an excellent location to travel abroad with a high salary. At the lower scale, public school positions average between 1,200 to 1,600 USD per month, while private and international schools can provide salaries up to 4,300 USD per month. Part-time university work pays fantastically, on average 1,000 USD per month.
What qualifications do I need to teach English in China?
You will need a Z visa to teach English abroad in China. To get this, you need a passport from an English-speaking country or plenty of teaching experience. You will need a four-year bachelor’s degree and a TEFL certificate.
Is teaching English in China hard?
There are options for teachers of all experiences. For brave newcomers and veterans, you can teach English in Shanghai or teach English in Beijing. These megacities will let you teach at any age and at any level if you are qualified, but the cities present their own challenges. If you want an easier transition from the West to China, you can try teaching English in Shenzen or Hong Kong. There are more English speakers here, with a more familiar culture and layout.
Can you save money as a teacher in China?
Because of the high average salaries and flexible cost of living, it is absolutely possible to save money while teaching English in China. Many schools will provide free or subsidized accommodations, which greatly helps expenses. Even if you don’t find this benefit, there are many rental agencies that can help you find affordable housing.

English Teaching Jobs in China
Should I Teach English in China?
Deciding whether to teach English in China is a personal choice that depends on your individual circumstances, preferences, and career goals. Here are some factors to consider when making this decision:
- Demand and Opportunities: China has a high demand for English language teachers, offering numerous opportunities to teach in schools, language institutes, and universities. Research the job market and available positions to determine if there are suitable opportunities that align with your qualifications and teaching preferences.
- Cultural Experience: Teaching English in China provides an opportunity to immerse yourself in a rich and diverse culture. China has a long history, vibrant traditions, and unique customs, offering a chance to gain cross-cultural experiences and broaden your horizons.
- Salary and Benefits: Consider the salary and benefits package offered for teaching positions in China. Take into account factors such as cost of living, housing allowances, health insurance, vacation time, and professional development opportunities. Salaries and benefits can vary depending on the location and institution.
- Work Environment: Research and gain insights into the work environment, teaching resources, class sizes, and support provided to English teachers. Understand the educational system and expectations of teachers in China to determine if it aligns with your teaching style and goals.
- Language and Cultural Challenges: Teaching English in China may come with language and cultural challenges, particularly if you are not familiar with Mandarin or the local customs. Consider your adaptability to new environments and your willingness to learn and embrace a different culture.
- Lifestyle and Living Conditions: Take into account the lifestyle and living conditions in China, including the climate, social norms, safety, recreational activities, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. Reflect on whether these factors suit your preferences and personal needs.
- Professional Development Opportunities: Consider the professional development opportunities available in China. Some institutions provide training programs, workshops, or opportunities for career advancement, which can be beneficial for your teaching career.
Join the Conversation About the Best Places to Teach English in China
What are your thoughts about teaching English in this amazing country? Are you looking for more information on the larger cities like Beijing and Shanghai? If the climate and culture is what interests you, Thailand is an amazing place for teachers to practice their craft.
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