China’s most international city and popular destination for foreign expats, Shanghai is an exciting, vibrant metropolis that combines the best of ancient and modern China. Spend just a few days in the city, and you’ll soon see why so many foreigners have chosen to live there. With ancient temples standing beside towering skyscrapers, the city is the definition of old meets new. Amongst the hustle and bustle, you’ll find quiet pockets of peace that make for the perfect escape from city life. Around the city are numerous quaint water towns that characterise this area of China.
Shanghai’s economic development has given way to the creation of millions of jobs that have attracted people from across China and the world. Shanghai’s population of over 24 million is largely made up of people from outside the city, contributing to a multi-cultural and interesting population.
Teach English in Shanghai
A placement in Shanghai will see you working in a local state school, either in the downtown or suburb area. Teachers in Shanghai tend to work primarily with younger students, in Primary and Middle schools (5-15 years old). Classes in state schools are large, consisting of up to 50 students. Depending on the age and ability of your students, you will have a teaching assistant in the classroom to help you out. Your school will provide you with a curriculum and textbooks to work from, but how you choose to deliver your lessons is largely up to you. This gives you plenty of opportunity to use your creativity to make your lessons memorable!
If you choose to work in Shanghai, your teaching hours will be determined by where you work. Those working in the downtown area will be expected to teach for up to 26 hours per week, while those in the suburbs will teach for fewer, at around 15. Whichever area you’re working in, you will need to plan your lessons outside of this time.
Teaching in Shanghai, you’ll receive a salary of around 14,000 – 16,000 RMB per month, depending on experience. This is to compensate for the higher cost of living in the city, and for the fact you’ll need to find your own accommodation.
Accommodation
Accommodation is generally not provided by schools in Shanghai, owing to the city being so populated. Instead, the schools will send a member of staff to help you find your own apartment, and they pay a higher wage to compensate for this extra cost. This enables you to find accommodation that suits you, and choose if you wish to live with other people or not. The cost of renting an apartment in Shanghai ranges between 3,000 – 7,000 RMB per month (can be split if you live with others).
The City
One of China’s most exciting cities, there is plenty to see and do in Shanghai. Here are some of our favourite attractions.
Attractions
Yu Gardens: Located just a short way from the Bund, YuYuan, or Yu Gardens in English is a peaceful area that boasts beautiful scenery. Decorated bridges, traditional pagodas and small alleyways lined with shops and restaurants surround the park itself, in which you’ll find temples and quaint Chinese buildings.
The Bund: Shanghai’s most iconic sight, the Bund is a collection of interesting buildings that form the city’s financial district. Visitors can walk along the viewing platform on the other side of the river to get an excellent view of this attraction. From here you can also take a boat to the other side, and get great close-up views during the ride.
Shanghai Tower: The latest addition to the city’s iconic Bund, the Shanghai Tower stands as the fifth tallest building in the world. Naturally, it provides incredible 360° views of the Shanghai metropolitan. It’s possible to have a drink at the top of the tower, but of course this comes at a high price!
Nanjing Road: Nanjing Road is Shanghai’s equivalent to Oxford Street or Fifth Avenue. Stretching around 5.5km, the road leads from Jing’an Temple to the Bund and is home to various shops and restaurants. Attracting around 1 million visitors per day, the road is characterised by a certain buzz and is definitely worth a visit!
Jing’an Temple: One of the city’s most famous temples, this sits on West Nanjing Road amongst modern skyscrapers. It’s easily spotted by its golden colour and intricate details. With a history of over 780 years, it’s one of Shanghai’s most interesting and historical sights.
Cost of Living
| Item | RMB | Item | RMB |
|---|---|---|---|
| City bus | 1-2 | Beer (shop bought) | 10 |
| Taxi (first 3km) | 14 | Beer (at a bar) | 25+ |
| Metro Ticket | 3-8 | Water | 2 |
| New E-bike | 2500+ | Coke | 4 |
| Cheap meal | 25 | 0.5kg fresh veg | 10 |
| Average meal | 60-80 | 1kg chicken | 30 |
| Expensive meal | 100+ | Gym (per year) | 4,000+ |
Food
Shanghai cuisine is a popular style of Chinese cooking, and is similar to that of surrounding areas like Hangzhou and Suzhou. Local food tends to be sweet rather than spicy, ideal for anyone afraid of those Sichuan peppercorns!
Xiaolong Bao: These delicious small dumplings originate from Shanghai, and make for a great snack. A semi-transparent dumpling skin is wrapped and neatly pleated around an aromatic filling of pork and a hot savory broth to form a kind of soup dumping. Typically served with a straw, you’re supposed to slurp the soup from the dumpling before digging in to the dumpling itself.
Shen Jian Bao: Similar to Xiaolong Bao, these are also a kind of soup dumpling, the main difference being that they’re bigger, breadier, and less delicate. Instead of being steamed, these dumpings are fried to create a crispy bottom and a crunchy texture.
Cong you bing: A great local breakfast snack, these fried pancakes are flavoured with scallions, pork and oil and are fried until crisp. You’ll see long lines of locals queuing to get their congyoubing fix year round!
Shanghai Noodles: Travel around China and you’ll find that each city has it’s own spin on a noodle dish. Shanghai is no different; here you’ll find the specialty is fried noodles mixed with various staple vegetables and covered in a soy sauce based sauce mixture.
Entertainment
As the nations most international city, there is always something happening in Shanghai, day or night. Here you’ll find a number of western style nightclubs and bars, which stay open until the early hours and prove popular among the expat crowds. If that isn’t your thing, head to the Yu Gardens at night to enjoy the atmosphere and pretty lights. You shouldn’t miss seeing the Bund at night, when the buildings light up to create a spectacular display. The city is also home to many theatres and stadiums, where famous West End shows are put on and international singers come to perform. If you’re looking for a local performance, head to Shanghai Circus World to see the Shanghai ERA; an incredible acrobatics performance that will have you on the edge of your seat!