TOP TEN CITIES IN CHINA FOR LIVING :

 

NUMBER TEN : XI'AN

 

 

 

Plenty of outdoor snacks for the adventurous

 

The gigantic new arts and culture complex on the new city lake

 

The Great Goose Pagoda in the city centre is China's oldest and is open to climb to the public

 

 

Like Nanjing, previously a capital city - in fact Xi'an was the capital of China for more than 2,000 years - far longer than Beijing. Long a centre of Chinese engineering excellence, the city is of course best known for it's terracotta warriors and for being the starting point of the Silk Road. However, the Government have been keen to further develop the city over and above this one primary tourist attraction, and they have done so in spectacular style. With much of the heavy industry that once characterized Xi'an relocated elsewhere, this walled city has looked back to it's imperial past for inspiration rather than the futuristic designs of, say Shanghai. As a result, new building developments are glorifying the old Tang Dynasty - solidly built, traditional Chinese houses and buildings in keeping with it's long heritage. A huge new lake in the city centre, surrounded by a gigantic park and dotted with a variety of opera houses, sound and light, theatres and art galleries have recently been completed, making Xi'an a very attractive city with a lot of culture to immerse yourself into. Still, it's not as easy to live in as say Shanghai, and an ability to get on with Chinese culture and get around with a few Chinese phrases would be needed in Xi'an - but what a place to explore China's Silk road heritage from.

 

Weather : Summers: Hot, dry - Max : +40.

 

Winters : Cold, snowy - Min: -15

 

Housing : Rental : 3 bed apartment to good standard: RMB4,000 per month

 

Serviced apartments, 5 star hotel chain : USD1,500 per month

 

International Schools : Xi'an has some fine international schools, with primary and higher education schools with expatriate teachers, reflecting it's long background of educating foreign students in engineering aspects. Of these the "Hi-Tech International School" is the best. Tel: (0298) 569 1659. The city has over 56 universities.

 

Flying times Beijing : 1 hours

 

Shanghai : 2.5 hours

 

Hong Kong : 3.5 hours

 

Major Hotel Chains : Most major international hotel chains are in Xi'an, mainly catering for the 1.5 million foreign tourists that visit the city each year to see the Terracotta Warriors. Consequently the infrastructure is well developed around the hotels.

 

Nightlife : Xi'ans nightlife is still predominantly Chinese, with a few Western outlets, although this is changing. A handful of pubs and bars, otherwise it's go with the flow and get local ! Xi'an being the start of the silk road offers a superb selection of local dumplings, and even kebabs and noodles, this is heart warming food.

 

Shopping : Parkson, Wal*Mart, Carrefour are all here.

 

 

NUMBER NINE : BEIJING

 

 

 

The Confucius Temple - Beijing is a cultured city

 

The Great Wall - just an hour drive out of the city - gives plenty of weekend exercise opportunities

 

Strolls along the old canals in the summer are relaxing

 

 

China's Capital, The Great Wall, Great Nightlife But Congested

 

The capital city of course, and home of the up-coming 2008 Olympics, Beijing would be further up the rankings if it were not for the inner city construction and infrastructure improvements that are currently going on. Necessary, and the city will be far better for it, but while traffic remains clogged up, roadworks and diversions interfere with the best planned routes, and dust from construction sites clogs up the air it's time has not yet arrived. Beijing therefore is a work in progress. But what a city ! This is the home of course of the Forbidden City, over 2,000 years of history and is the stop off place for the Great Wall. Weekends in fact can be spent trekking around the wall, or trawling through the huge number of museums and other cultural outlets Beijingers enjoy. Far more cultured than Shanghai, and much easier to get out of, yet not quite as glamorous as it's southern counterpart, Beijing is "real" China as opposed to a glossy façade. If you have to be here - you will not be bored. However like all capital cities, it is expensive, with housing here some of the most expensive in China. Also, the air quality - although it is improving - still has a way to go, although the regular sandstorms from the Gobi are far less frequent than before. But plenty to do and see - if you can put up with the daily congestion hassles. The expats who are here though are fiercely proud of the city.

 

Weather : Summers : Hot, dry - Max : +45.

 

Winters : Cold, freezing, dry - Min: -15

 

Housing : Rental : 3 bed apartment to good standard: RMB15,000 per month

 

Serviced apartments, 5 star hotel chain : USD5,000 per month

 

International Schools : Beijing has some fine international schools, with primary and higher education schools with expatriate teachers, and several joint ventures with international universities. Peking University and Tsinghua being to international Ivy League standard. Schools here are also available in a choice of national curriculums - check with your Embassy in Beijing for recommendations.

 

Flying times Beijing : Capital airport is 1 hour drive from the city centre

 

Shanghai : 2 hours

 

Hong Kong : 3.5 hours

 

Major Hotel Chains : All major international hotel chains are in Beijing.

 

Nightlife : Beijing's nightlife is many and varied, albeit spread out a little. This is a big city. However, all types of international cuisines can be found here, along with a wide variety of clubs and nightclubs. Beijing also is home to several orchestras and is on the international touring circuit for many musical and theatrical performances. You will not get bored !

 

Shopping : All major international brands and premium brands are here.

 

NUMBER EIGHT : KUNMING

 

 

 

Trips to Lijiang and the Jade Dragon Mountain are easy to reach from Kunming

 

 

 

The city of eternal spring is the worlds largest flower producer

 

The city of eternal spring, international flower trading and gateway to the beauty of Yunnan Province

 

The Provincial capital of Yunnan Province, and long known as "the city of eternal spring", Kunming offers a laid back, green life style with easy access to some of China's most beautiful scenery. It has long been regarded as a favoured destination for Asian golfers, with greens open year round, the climate here being constant with a variable annually of just 10 degrees. Kunming has also recently overtaken Amsterdam as the worlds largest trading centre for horticulture - this is a flower bedecked city. Still, it remains a little off the beaten track, and the facilities available especially to Westerners are not that well developed, meaning a love of Chinese culture and natural surroundings is a pre-requisite for being based in Kunming. However, with a new rail line linking the city to South-East Asia and extending as far down as Singapore, the cities regional connections are set to grow and develop. Kunming is also developing a bohemian arts clique of Chinese and international artists wanting a more spiritual environment to work - the northern part of Yunnan being the old Tibetan Province of Kham and still today the source of much of Kunmings culture - mixed in with the exoticism of nearby Thailand.

 

Weather : Warm, dry, balmy - Max : +30.

 

Winters : Moderate, dry, Min: 20

 

Housing : Rental : 3 bed apartment to good standard: RMB4,000 per month

 

Serviced apartments, 5 star hotel chain : USD1,500 per month

 

International Schools : Kunming is a bit thin on the ground with expatriate schooling, although the University of Kunming does offer English classes and an Australian International schools programme is based in the city. This is changing as more expats move into the city, but a bit of homework needs to be put in place to assess adequate schooling requirements.

 

Flying times Beijing : 3.5 hours

 

Shanghai : 2.5 hours

 

Hong Kong : 2 hours

 

Major Hotel Chains : Kunming is currently dominated by domestic brands, although the Harbour Plaza is here. Of the Chinese hotels, the Green Lake and Bank Hotels are the best. Kunming's development of more international brands in the city is taking place however so check for recent developments.

 

Nightlife : Kunming's long balmy evenings mean people prefer to stay outdoors rather than holed up in bars. Strolls and promenades along the lake, stopping off to buy from vendors is a typical pastime. There are of course nightclubs, bars and pubs, with a handful of Westernised ones clustered around the university, but mainly Kunming is a laid back city with noisy clubs and bars not being so prevalent here.

 

Shopping : Wal*mart, Carrefour and Parkson all present and correct. No major international premium brands.

 

NUMBER SEVEN : NANJING

 

Historic, Cultured and Reasonably Priced

 

Previously a capital city (Nanjing means "Southern capital") the city is developing a good reputation as a satellite of Shanghai but with a growing expatriate population it is westernizing in it's facilities but retaining it's regal character. One of China's few remaining walled cities, there is plenty here for the scholar - it's history dates back over 2,000 years. Nanjing is also green with plenty of parks and the Yangtze River flowing right through the city. Rather more studious than Shanghai, Nanjing is a more laid back city with ample time for contemplation or walks out under the trees. The air quality is reasonable and the nightlife environment - with increasing numbers of expatriates living here - welcoming and friendly. For those of you who hear the question "Beijing or Shanghai ?" Nanjing actually retains the better characteristics of both. It is also starting to become a commuter belt city for expats working in Shanghai yet returning to Nanjing's more pleasant environment for weekends.

 

Weather : Summers : Hot, humid, rainy - Max : +35.

 

Winters : Cool, Min: zero

 

Housing : Rental : 3 bed apartment to good standard: RMB4,000 per month

 

Serviced apartments, 5 star hotel chain : USD2,500 per month

 

International Schools : Nanjing has some good international schools, with primary and higher education schools with expatriate teachers. The Nanjing International School (web : http://www.nanjing-school.com/) is one of the best.

 

Flying times Beijing : 2 hours

 

Shanghai : 2 hours by car

 

Hong Kong : 2.5 hours

 

Major Hotel Chains : Shangri-La, Sheraton, Hilton, Crowne Plaza, and Ramada are all here, with the Shangri-La again being the better positioned at this moment.

 

Nightlife : Nanjing has a developed bar and western restaurant scene, which is growing apace. A large number of German styled pubs and food outlets, the city has a long association with Germany. Good, lively and entertaining without the sleaze or glitz of Shanghai.

 

Shopping : All main major department stores are here.

 

NUMBER SIX : SHANGHAI

 

 

 

A shoppers paradise - everything is here - but luxury taxes apply

 

Shanghai's Bund is still a spectacular draw and the views at night a tremendous variety show of old and new Shanghai

 

 

 

The Xintiandi area is a popular, but expensive, setting for many upmarket bars and restaurants

 

Glitz, Glamour and Fun - But At A Price

 

Probably the best known ‘brand city' in China after Beijing and Hong Kong, Shanghai epitomizes the "China Dream" and is a great city for nightlife and fun. Much of the international primary brands have been drawn here, while the surrounding cities of the Yangtze River Delta offer much in the way of inexpensive manufacturing. However, the city expatriate development seems to have stopped at just providing restaurants, bars and nightclubs, and the reality is that aside from this there is very little to do. Traffic problems also start to grate and the expense - Shanghai is right up there in international standards, top end, of cost of living - begin to make Shanghai a great place to visit - but not such a great place to live. No beaches, no immediate countryside - just a huge city. Expatriate alcoholism and the seductive charms of it's many bars and pretty girls have lead many an expatriate marriage astray, and Shanghai needs to cater more for family needs if it is not to become a bit of a cliché. Plus the weather is awful - nearly permanent grey skies and a lot of rain. Nonetheless, there are a lot of foreigners here and you can make international friends easily. So for short-term postings, Shanghai is an easy place to live. But longer term - it can be problematic, and despite all the hype - this is not Hong Kong. And dare we say it - the Shanghainese tend to stick together and are not particularly welcoming to people from elsewhere - including returning Chinese.

 

Weather : Summers: Hot, humid, rainy - Max : +40.

 

Winters : Cool, can reach freezing. Rarely snows.

 

Housing : Rental : 3 bed apartment to good standard: RMB6,000 per month

 

Serviced apartments, 5 star hotel chain : USD5,000 per month

 

International Schools : Shanghai has a wide selection of international schools, with primary and higher education schools with expatriate teachers, including several joint ventures with international Universities, also schools catering for specific nationalities. Check with your consulate for recommendations.

 

Flying times Beijing : 2 hours

 

Shanghai : Two airports, domestic (Hongqiao) and Pudong (international) - which is a bit of a way out of the city - at least a 90 minute drive. Pudong is inconvenient but we have to live with it. Services many international destinations.

 

Hong Kong : 2 hours

 

Major Hotel Chains : All major chains are here, but are expensive. Tip : Look out for the old colonial hotels under Chinese management - more interesting and at reasonable rates.

 

Nightlife : Extensive, tending to expensive. A superb selection of international restaurants and increasingly, chefs are making Shanghai home. Some areas a little sleazy for the lonely single expat. See the local listings magazines for what's hot and what's not.

 

Shopping : Everything you can possibly need - however beware of luxury taxes on premium goods. An Hermes tie here is 30% more expensive than in Hong Kong.

 

NUMBER FIVE: SHENZHEN

 

 

 

 

Expatriate housing in Shenzhen can be to a high standard with lush sub-tropical gardens

 

 

Theme Parks, Beaches, Wild Nightlife and Hong Kong as a neighbour

 

Right on China's Southern coast, just literally a walk across from Hong Kong, Shenzhen is China's economic miracle and the starting point for it's recent adventure into free markets. Originally greeted with much suspicion by Hong Kong, and facing the pressure of developing faster than the Central Government had any experience off, the city endured a number of problems in it's early days with overcrowding, crime, and other infrastructure issues. Many of these have now been solved, however, with a greening policy taking place and the development of some spectacular theme parks, Shenzhen has now become an attractive and pleasant city with close proximity to Hong Kong and the internationalization it's neighbour offers. Additionally, Shenzhen has two excellent theme parks - Windows of the World and The Chinese Cultural Village - which are hugely popular draws and deservedly so. It gets fifth spot - ahead of Shanghai because of this - marry Shenzhen and Hong Kong together and the whole is greater than it's parts and superior to it's glitzy counterpart. Plus Shenzhen has beaches - Xiaomeisha and Daomeisha are well maintained, with clean waters, and is considerably cheaper. Now where can you paddle in Shanghai ? Shenzhen gets the nod as an all round better living environment and with far lower costs.

 

Weather : Summers : Hot and humid, Max : +45.

 

Has a typhoon season May - Sept. Winters: Cool, bright, minimum : 10

 

Housing : Rental : 3 bed apartment to good standard: RMB4,000 per month

 

Luxury Villas in private complex : USD3,000 per month

 

International Schools : Shenzhen has a good selection of international schools, with primary and higher education schools with expatriate teachers, mopping up some of the overspill from Hong Kong. Of these the best is probably the Shekou International School, which is the favoured location in the city for western expats - Web : www.sis.org.cn.

 

Flying times Beijing : 3.5 hours

 

Shanghai : 2 hours

 

Hong Kong : There is a ferry service at Shekou departing every 30 minutes. Additionally there are numerous border crossing with Hong Kong, a round trip city centre to city centre will take about 90 minutes. Lo Wu is the main foot border exit-entry point and is connected to Hong Kong's rail service. Shenzhen has a good domestic airport with regular services to all Chinese cities. Some international tourism flights to Thailand etc.

 

Major Hotel Chains : Shangri-La, Sheraton Four Points, Ramada, Best Western, Holiday Inn are all here. The Shangri-La is best placed for Shenzhen, the Holiday Inn for Shekou.

 

Nightlife : Many friendly Western bars around the city, especially in Shekou area, and a wild time. Shenzhen is a party town ! The city also enjoys a wide selection of Western restaurants. Excellent local seafood.

 

Shopping : Parkson, Wal*Mart and the usual variety of international brands. Daily excursions to Hong Kong to pick up life's international luxuries and to see shows and so on are a feature of expat life here.

 

Shenzhen is a modern mainland city with it's citizens enjoying the highest earnings in the country

NUMBER FOUR : XIAMEN

 

 

The British Pub just behind the Marco Polo Hotel

 

 

 Gulangyu Island

 

Coconuts, Great Seafood and Long Beaches

 

Located on China's South East coast, opposite Taiwan, Xiamen because of this recent anomaly is a politically sensitive city, yet with curious Taiwanese tourists cruising by in huge jetfoils for a quick glimpse of ‘the mainland' this has meant the local Government have had to invest millions of dollars, over the years to put a modern, acceptable and clean environment in place to show off the standards of living the mainland Chinese now enjoy. And Xiamen is beautiful. With long, long beaches stretching miles up the coast, you can see the nearest Taiwanese islands just two miles offshore. However with Xiamen tourism amongst China not being particularly encouraged (again, those political issues) they remain largely unspoilt and free from the seething masses. Consequently, Xiamen offers a peaceful, relatively quiet coastal life, with long sandy walks, a great climate and tremendous cuisine - at inexpensive rates.

 

Weather : Summers: Hot and humid, with a cooling sea breeze. Max : +40

 

Winters : Cool, minimum +8.

 

Housing : Rental : 3 bed apartment to good standard: RMB4,000 per month

 

Serviced apartments, 5 star hotel : USD1,500 per month

 

International Schools : A bit thin on the ground at present, but this is changing. However there are primary and higher education schools with expatriate teachers. The Xiamen International School was set up by the municipal government especially for children of foreign investors. Tel : (0592) 625 6581

 

Flying times Beijing : 2 hours

 

Shanghai : 1 hour

 

Hong Kong : 2 hours

 

International airport with regular service to Hong Kong, otherwise mainly domestic.

 

Major Hotel Chains : Marco Polo, Crowne Plaza, Best Western and Sofitel are all here. The Marco Polo is the current number one and is well positioned.

 

Nightlife : Several friendly Western bars around the Marco Polo, wide selection of Western restaurants. Excellent seafood, especially around the port area opposite Gulangyu Island.

 

Shopping : Parkson, Wal*Mart and the usual variety of international brands.

NUMBER THREE : CHENGDU

 

 

 

 

Du Jiang Yan River runs right through Chengdu

 

The Qingcheng Mountain Temple

 

 

The Leshan Grand Buddha is a world famous Chengdu site

 

Hiking, Pandas and Sichuan Cuisine

 

Home of the Pandas. Chengdu is situated in Central China's Sichuan Province, just touching on the remnants of the foothills of the Himalayas, so is elevated. This keeps the city cool, lush and year round pleasant. As such it possesses some of the archetypal Chinese scenery - lush bamboo groves, mist clad hill tops - a slower pace of life - Chengdu can feel dreamlike at times and very positively laid back. Then there is the food - spicy for sure and no escaping it here - but one of the worlds top cuisines with those Sichuan peppers tingling the lips and tongue, Chengdu can be a gourmets delight. With a high standard of international schooling and with very pleasant cultural and climatic conditions, Chengdu is poised to rise further in the stakes as one of China's nicest places to live. Ideal for hiking, exploring and nature lovers with clean air and an excellent environment.

 

Weather : Summers: Balmy, warm, - Max : +35.

 

Winters : Cool, snows. Min: -10

 

Housing : Rental : 3 bed apartment to good standard: RMB4,000 per month

 

Serviced apartments, 5 star hotel chain : USD2,000 per month

 

International Schools : Chengdu has a handful of international schools, to high standard, with primary and higher education schools with expatriate teachers. The QSI International school Tel: (028 8519 8393) and the Meishi International School (which also boards - email : http://www.teachenglishinchina.com/schools/c21.htm) are amongst the best.

 

Flying times Beijing : 2.5 hours

 

Shanghai : 3 hours

 

Hong Kong : 2.5 hours

 

Major Hotel Chains : Kempinski, Sheraton, Sofitel, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Amara are all here together with a fine selection of domestic hotels.

 

Nightlife : It's fun, but somewhat thin on the ground in Western style, although like all Chinese cities this is changing. There are a handful of Western bars, and restaurants, however a huge array of South-Asia cuisine as well as the obligatory Sichuan hotpot are all available.

 

Shopping : Most major department stores are here, such as Carrefour and Wal*Mart, but

Chengdu is still a little off the radar for premium brands.

 

 

NUMBER TWO : QINGDAO

 

 

 

 

Beaches right on the city frontage

 

A legendary beautiful night skyline

 

Yachting, Beer, and Long Beaches

 

Located on China's East coast, in the fruit growing province of Shandong, Qingdao is an old German treaty port - indeed the local internationally famous Qingdao beer was originally a German-British Joint Venture when established over 100 years ago. Qingdao enjoys a superb climate, and given it's geophysical position is one of the primary locations in the country for fruit production, offering up to three harvests a year. Much of this is bound for the markets in nearby Japan and Korea, but increasingly the US as well. Fruit processing is a major industry here, as is fishing - again, being a coastal city the seafood in Qingdao is superb. Life indeed is good with a bottle of the local beer and a plate of fresh steamed prawns in front of you. The only minor gripe is it's annual beer festival, which shuts the city down for three weeks - a good reason to go on vacation if you are a resident, but a great reason to visit if you are not - over 1.5 million visitors annually turn up for the event. Like Dalian however, yachting and water sports are starting to take off here in spectacular style - Qingdao is holding many of the yachting events for the 2008 Olympics and this, together with it's fine air and water quality and cost of living is a major draw to the quality of life in the city.

 

Weather : Summers: Hot and humid, with a cooling sea breeze. Max : +38

 

Winters : Cool, minimum : zero

 

Housing : Rental : 3 bed apartment to good standard: RMB6,000 per month

 

Serviced apartments, 5 star hotel : USD1,500 per month

 

International Schools : Qingdao has a good selection of international schools, with primary and higher education schools with expatriate teachers. The Qingdao International School (Tel: 0532 890 8000) being well regarded.

 

Flying times Beijing : 2.5 hours

 

Shanghai : 1 hour

 

Hong Kong : 2 hours

 

International airport with regular service to Hong Kong, Japan and Korea.

 

Major Hotel Chains : Shangri-La, Grand Regency, Best Western, Equatorial, Crowne Plaza and many good Chinese hotels are all here with more to follow.

 

Nightlife : Several friendly Western bars around the Shangri-La, Qingdao also has a wide selection of Western restaurants and an energetic expatriate social life. Excellent seafood.

 

Shopping : Parkson, Wal*Mart and the usual variety of international brands.

 

NUMBER ONE : DALIAN

 

Sea Front Promenades stretch for miles

 

 

Residential complexes with sea views and plenty of surrounding parkland are inexpensive

 

 

The Expats fave : The Irish "Tin Whistle Pub" just behind the Shangri-La

 

Clean, Green, Long Beaches and Watersports

 

Located in North-East China, close to the Korean Pensinsula, Dalian is a strategically important city and China's third largest port, servicing traditionally the Japanese and Korean export markets, although international trade with the US and Europe is also picking up as manufacturers seek lower production costs than the Yangtze River Delta can provide. Indeed, Dalian was occupied (as was much of North-East China) by the Japanese during the war, often changing ownership hands between Russia at various points in history as well. Consequently, a great deal of Japanese colonial architecture remains - curiously in a European style as that was considered the height of elegance in the 1930's - even by the Japanese. Being a coastal city, the seafood here is excellent, the beaches long and the waters clear. Dalian will be holding Olympic yachting events (along with Qingdao, further south) in 2008, and yachting as a pastime is set to boom here. Air and water quality is good, and the city environment is clean and well maintained. It may help that the current Minister of Commerce, Bo Xi Lai, is from Dalian, and with Japanese infrastructure and finance developing much of the city the future looks bright - it is even starting to pick up weekly commuter traffic to expatriates based in Beijing who prefer Dalian's lifestyle and beaches during the weekends.

 

Weather : Summers: Hot and dry, with a cooling sea breeze. Max : +32

 

Winters : Cool and snowy, can reach -10.

 

Housing : Rental : 3 bed apartment to good standard : RMB5,000 per month

 

Serviced apartments, 5 star hotel : USD2,000 per month

 

International Schools : Several, from both primary to higher education levels with expatriate teachers. The Dalian Maple Leaf School, a Canadian-Chinese Joint venture is considered the best - http://www.mapleleaf.net.cn/english/enroll/default.htm

 

Flying times Beijing : 1 hour

 

Shanghai : 1.5 hours

 

Hong Kong : 3.5 hours

 

International airport with regular services to Korea and Japan.

 

Major Hotel Chains : Shangri-La, Kempinski, Furama, SwissHotel, and Ramada are all here with several others poised to enter the market. Currently the Shangri-La is the best positioned for downtown, although the recently opened Kempinski is also impressive.

 

Nightlife : Several friendly Western bars at back of Shangri-La, wide selection of Western restaurants. Excellent seafood.

 

Shopping : Parkson, Wal*Mart and the usual variety of international brands.