The wonderful juxtaposition of old and new is one of Hangzhou’s main draws, let alone the fact that peacefulness is at the very core of its essence. Crazy that, when you learn that this gorgeous city is only an hour’s train-ride away from Shanghai. Beautiful Hangzhou Lake, littered with rustic tea houses and shrouded in ancient art and history, is right in the city’s centre. Renowned for its ancient silk industry, its amazing bike-sharing system, its blossoming tech innovation scene and for its picturesque tea-growing villages just outside the city’s perimeter, Hangzhou can really be the T to your scone. There’s a ton of stunning destinations to visit on weekends nearby although your need to ‘get away from it all’ will undoubtedly be much less if you actually live and teach here.