Beijing vs Shanghai: Where to Teach English

Few cities in the world offer the intensity, scale, and variety of opportunity that you’ll find in Beijing and Shanghai. As two of China’s largest and most influential urban centers, they’re magnets for foreign teachers looking to experience life in Asia while building a rewarding career.

Both cities offer deep contrasts—one rooted in history and politics, the other shaped by commerce and cosmopolitan flair. Choosing between them means thinking beyond just salary or job title. It’s about how you want to live, who you want to teach, and the type of city energy you want to wake up to every morning. Whether you're seeking a deep dive into Chinese culture or a more international lifestyle with career mobility, the city you pick will shape your teaching experience in a big way.

Types of Teaching Jobs and Hiring Trends

Teaching jobs in China typically fall into five main categories: kindergartens, public schools, training centers (also called language academies), international schools, and universities. Both Beijing and Shanghai offer opportunities across this spectrum, but each city has its own hiring flavor and focus.

Beijing stands out for its institutional weight. As the capital, it hosts a large number of government-affiliated schools, elite public programs, and respected international schools. Many roles in Beijing—especially in public schools or universities—tend to favor teachers with higher credentials, teaching licenses, or experience. It’s a great place for teachers who want a structured work environment or aim to move into more academic or curriculum-focused roles long-term.

Shanghai, by contrast, leans toward private enterprise and fast-paced language instruction. The demand for English is high in training centers, business English programs, and startup-style boutique schools. If you’re interested in teaching adults, business professionals, or exploring flexible teaching arrangements, Shanghai provides a vibrant landscape with diverse student demographics.

Hiring seasons are fairly similar in both cities—peak times tend to be spring and late summer—but Beijing’s larger institutions may have more formal, advance hiring, while Shanghai’s private sector often hires on a rolling basis. Both cities offer solid visa support, but again, more formal schools in Beijing may be stricter about qualifications and paperwork.

Salary, Benefits, and Cost of Living

When it comes to pay, both cities sit at the top end of the ESL salary spectrum in China. But the real difference lies in how far your salary stretches—and what kind of lifestyle you get in return.

Beijing tends to offer higher base salaries, especially at top-tier public schools, international schools, and universities. Benefits often include free or subsidized housing, paid vacation, and health insurance. However, costs in Beijing can climb quickly—especially for rent, international groceries, or schooling if you have children. Living in a central district comes at a premium, and traffic congestion or longer commutes may eat into your free time.

Shanghai also pays competitively, with salaries that closely match Beijing’s for similar roles. However, the structure of pay in Shanghai is often more performance- or bonus-driven, especially in training centers. Housing allowances vary widely, and the cost of living—while still high—is more flexible depending on your lifestyle choices. It’s easier to live affordably in Shanghai if you're willing to live a little outside the core neighborhoods or adapt to a more local routine.

In both cities, international schools and universities offer the best overall packages. Entry-level jobs, like kindergarten or training centers, pay well compared to other Chinese cities but may offer fewer extras. Still, both cities allow for saving money, especially if housing is provided, though Shanghai may offer more room to tailor your spending habits without sacrificing comfort.

Teaching Culture and Student Behavior

Your day-to-day experience in the classroom will be shaped not just by curriculum or schedules—but by the energy and expectations of your students. And here, Beijing and Shanghai diverge in interesting ways.

Beijing classrooms often reflect the city’s traditional and academic mindset. Students—especially in public or elite schools—tend to be highly disciplined, respectful, and achievement-oriented. You’ll likely find that students follow instructions carefully and come with serious expectations about education. This can be a great match if you prefer a structured environment with high academic standards, but it may also mean pressure to deliver polished, effective lessons every time.

Shanghai classrooms, meanwhile, lean more casual and modern in style. While students are still motivated and hardworking, there’s often more room for creativity, humor, and interaction. You might find students more talkative or willing to challenge ideas in a friendly way, especially in training centers or private schools. For teachers who enjoy a dynamic, communicative classroom, Shanghai may feel like a better cultural fit.

Both cities respect the teacher’s role deeply, but the tone of interaction—strict vs. relaxed, silent vs. responsive—can shift depending on where you teach. Understanding your own teaching style is key: do you thrive in structure or flexibility? Do you prefer quiet focus or verbal engagement? The answers might steer you more clearly toward one city over the other.

City Environment and Daily Life

How a city feels—how it moves, breathes, and connects—can shape everything from your commute to your mental health. Beijing and Shanghai offer vastly different daily rhythms and environments that go far beyond just architecture.

Beijing is sprawling, layered with history, and built in a way that mirrors its role as the nation’s capital. Neighborhoods can feel more residential and segmented, with longer commutes and a slightly slower transit experience due to the city's size. The subway system is extensive but often crowded, and traffic jams are a fact of life. The older infrastructure means you’ll often encounter charming hutongs or traditional neighborhoods—but also aging buildings and occasional bureaucratic frustrations. Winters are dry and frigid, while summers are hot and humid. Air pollution is still a concern during certain seasons, though it has improved in recent years.

Shanghai, on the other hand, is a denser and more modern metropolis with a compact urban core. It’s easier to live close to where you work, and public transportation is sleek, fast, and well-connected. The city is packed with high-rises, new developments, and international neighborhoods with convenient access to Western-style amenities. The climate is milder than Beijing, with shorter winters and more comfortable autumns and springs. Day-to-day life tends to feel faster-paced but also more convenient and fluid—ideal for teachers who value efficiency and comfort over tradition.

Housing styles differ too: Beijing often means older apartments in larger residential complexes, while Shanghai offers a wider range of modern apartments with better amenities, albeit at a premium. Whether you’re after historic charm or metropolitan ease, your lifestyle preferences will strongly affect which city feels like home.

Expat Community and Social Integration

One of the underrated factors in choosing a teaching destination is the kind of people you’ll meet and the ease of finding your tribe. Both Beijing and Shanghai have large expat populations—but the vibes are different.

Beijing's expat scene is long-established, with many embassy workers, scholars, and career teachers who’ve been in China for years. It’s relatively easy to meet serious professionals or people deeply invested in Chinese culture and language. That said, the scene can feel a bit fragmented—expats are spread across districts, and social circles may take time to break into. If you’re seeking depth over casual friendships, Beijing can offer meaningful connections, but you may need to put in the effort.

Shanghai, by contrast, is buzzing with a younger, more international crowd. Teachers, startup founders, creatives, and global professionals mix freely, and there are countless language exchanges, networking events, and casual hangouts for foreigners. It’s easier to slide into a social routine, meet other teachers, and feel part of a lively urban expat scene. English is more widely understood in service industries, and there’s a larger supply of Western-style conveniences, making it a more accessible city for newcomers.

If you’re nervous about adjusting socially or want an active, outgoing lifestyle right away, Shanghai generally makes integration smoother. If you’re seeking more focused, long-term friendships and don’t mind a slower start, Beijing might reward you with deeper cultural insights.

Cultural Immersion and Free Time

What you do outside of class matters—especially in a country as rich in culture and travel options as China. Beijing and Shanghai both deliver, but the flavor of your free time will be wildly different depending on where you are.

Beijing is a goldmine for lovers of classical Chinese culture. Spend your weekends exploring ancient temples, climbing the Great Wall, wandering the hutongs, or attending traditional performances like Peking Opera. Museums are world-class, and the city has no shortage of parks, cultural events, and public squares where local life plays out. If your idea of cultural immersion includes language learning, history, and tradition, Beijing is unmatched in China.

Shanghai, meanwhile, offers a more cosmopolitan and contemporary mix. Think art galleries, design districts, cocktail bars, and cutting-edge theater. It’s China’s fashion and nightlife capital, with an endless rotation of pop-up events, DJ sets, and stylish cafés. You can still access cultural outings—Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Zhujiajiao are just a short train ride away—but your day-to-day is more about modern Chinese life with international flair.

Beijing offers deep roots; Shanghai delivers global energy. Whether you want to slow down and absorb tradition or stay wired into modern culture determines which kind of downtime you’ll thrive in.

Long-Term Prospects for Teachers

If you're thinking beyond a one-year contract, it's worth asking: which city sets you up best for growth—both professionally and personally?

Beijing is ideal for teachers who want to specialize or rise in the academic ranks. It has a dense network of respected schools, universities, publishing houses, and educational NGOs. Teachers with experience and credentials may find doors opening into curriculum development, exam prep, or even bilingual program leadership. It’s also a strong base if you’re interested in academic writing or contributing to China-based education reform efforts.

Shanghai excels in business English, corporate training, and private tutoring opportunities. If you’re entrepreneurial or interested in edtech, the city is a hotspot for pilot programs and startup collaborations. It’s easier to carve out a niche—whether by working with executives, building online content, or jumping into teacher training or management roles. There’s also strong potential for moving into education-adjacent roles, like program coordination or marketing for private academies.

Both cities offer decent visa stability if you work with a reliable school and follow the rules. But in terms of lifestyle sustainability, Shanghai generally feels easier to navigate for the long haul, especially for foreigners who crave efficiency and social activity. Beijing rewards commitment and cultural depth, which can create a strong long-term attachment for the right kind of teacher.

Summary: Which City Should You Choose?

Beijing is a better fit if you…

• Want a deep dive into Chinese language, culture, and history.
• Prefer more formal teaching environments with serious students.
• See yourself growing into academic or curriculum-related roles.

Shanghai is ideal for you if you…

• Thrive in a fast-paced, modern, and international environment.
• Want to teach adults or business professionals.
• Value convenience, vibrant social life, and flexible career options.

Whichever you choose, both Beijing and Shanghai offer paths to grow as a teacher while experiencing two very different sides of modern China.