Just a two-hour train ride from Shanghai, Ningbo is a doorway to the rest of China. You’ll have no trouble jumping on a train and seeing the rest of the country. Of all the smaller cities this is probably the most globally minded. It’s home to many international businesses and expats and is considered a business hub,

Wander the streets and gawk at skyscrapers disappearing into the clouds, or hop in next door to bow at a local temple. This city is a juxtaposition of the old and new – giving you enough of life’s modern comforts to keep you sane and enough of Ancient China to make you feel like you’re getting your daily dose of culture.

The concentration of international businesses means the demand for English teachers is high. So why not add this to your list of Chinese cities you’d like to live in.