Considering moving to China (Aug 2026) to teach. Need help narrowing down cities

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a move to China in August 2026 to teach. I’ve done the YouTube & Reddit deep dive and now I’m at the point where I need to start applying, but I’m overwhelmed by how many cities there are.

My main goal is savings (I’m from South Africa, so the earning potential is a big draw), but lifestyle is very important too.

What I’m looking for:

- Not extreme northern winters

- Decent expat community (not party-focused). I love adventure!

- Smaller/slower city is fine if it’s well connected (HSR/airport)

- Access to nature (I trail run and hike)

- Moderate to good air quality

- Food: open-minded, can handle spicy, but not all the time.

About me: mid-30s, single, a bit tired of the desk-job rat race and looking for something more people-focused and meaningful. Community matters a lot to me (also from a mental health perspective). I plan to learn Mandarin and I’m open-minded about cultural differences. I’ve travelled a bit in Asia before, so I know it won’t be “easy,” but I’m ready for something new.

Cities currently on my radar: Shanghai (maybe too overwhelming/expensive?), Hangzhou, Suzhou, Chengdu, Jinan, Changzhou, Xiamen, Foshan, Zhuhai.

Career-wise: I don’t have a formal teaching license yet (starting later this year), but I have a bachelor’s degree, a Level 5 TEFL, and some teaching experience, so I’m looking for reasonably good to good bilingual/private schools to start.

If you were in my position (savings-focused but lifestyle-conscious, not into heavy partying, wanting community & nature) where would you look? And where would you avoid?

Any other tips would also be appreciated!