Discover Nanjing:
teaching English in Nanjing

Why Nanjing

Highlights and interesting facts

Nanjing features the ancient Ming Dynasty city wall, which is one of the longest surviving city walls in the world. The wall wraps around central areas, including Xuanwu Lake, a large public park containing scenic islands and walkways. Purple Mountain sits on the eastern edge of the urban area, hosting the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and historical tombs. The Fuzimiao area along the Qinhuai River serves as a historical cultural hub centered around a traditional temple dedicated to Confucius.

The city's name translates to 'Southern Capital', reflecting its history as a seat of power for multiple dynasties. Nanjing remains a prominent university town, with campuses like Nanjing University attracting students from across the country. This student population supports a diverse dining and leisure scene in neighborhoods surrounding the campuses. For teachers, the steady presence of historical landmarks and educational institutions makes for an intellectually stimulating place to live.

The teaching scene

One of the region's fastest-growing markets

The teaching market in Nanjing is heavily influenced by its university sector. The city contains dozens of colleges and universities, making campus placements more common here than in other provincial capitals. Public middle schools and bilingual private academies also recruit foreign teachers for academic courses. Most university and public school contracts run on the standard academic calendar, beginning in late August. Spring is the peak recruitment season, with most schools conducting interviews between March and June. Teachers must satisfy standard degree requirements and complete document authentication, as detailed in the apostille guide.

Private bilingual academies and international schools are situated in the Hexi district and the Xianlin suburb. These positions offer higher salaries and housing allowances but require domestic teaching experience and credentials. Language training centers operate throughout the city and hire teachers year-round, accommodating arrivals outside the academic cycle. Because of the city's large academic community, foreign teachers find it easy to establish local connections. Z-visa processing is coordinated by the provincial labor bureau and takes about four weeks, as described in the Z-visa guide.

Cost of living

A tier 2 city at a fraction of the rent

Living expenses in Nanjing are moderate, offering a high quality of life for a lower budget than nearby Shanghai. Rental prices vary depending on the district and proximity to metro lines. A one-bedroom apartment in the historical center of Gulou or near the commercial hub of Xinjiekou runs around thirty-five hundred yuan a month on average. Teachers who work at suburban campuses often live in the eastern town of Xianlin, where comparable apartments drop to about twenty-five hundred yuan a month.

Daily expenses are reasonable if you choose local markets and restaurants. Small diners serve traditional dishes like salted duck and pan-fried beef dumplings at low prices. Buying fresh produce at local wet markets helps keep grocery costs manageable. Utility costs for electricity, gas, and water are affordable, though heating and cooling costs increase during seasonal peaks. By choosing a suburban residence and eating local meals, teachers can save a significant portion of their monthly salary.

Climate through the year

August summers and seasonal weather

Nanjing has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and cold winters. The annual mean temperature is sixteen degrees Celsius, but seasonal conditions swing dramatically. August is the hottest month, with average temperatures reaching nearly twenty-eight degrees Celsius. The city is traditionally called one of the Yangtze River furnaces due to high summer humidity and heat. January is the coolest month, with temperatures averaging around four degrees Celsius. Winters are damp and cold, requiring individual heating units in apartments.

The summer monsoon brings heavy rainfall in June and July, followed by hot and humid conditions in August. Arriving in late August allows teachers to complete their school orientations during the transition to autumn. The months of October and November are considered the most comfortable season, characterized by dry air, clear skies, and cooler winds. Settling in during late August ensures that you are comfortable before the winter cold begins.

Getting around

A cheap flat outside the centre no longer means a painful commute

Commuting within the city is efficient due to an extensive public transportation network. The Nanjing Metro is clean, modern, and connects all major universities and residential suburbs. Fares are low, and a monthly transit pass is a minor expense for foreign teachers. Public shared bicycles are available outside most metro stations, offering a practical option for short trips across flat city streets.

For travel outside the city, Nanjing South Railway Station functions as a major high-speed rail hub, putting Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou within an hour's travel. This railway network simplifies weekend trips to other coastal provinces. Nanjing Lukou International Airport offers domestic flights and international connections. This transportation infrastructure ensures that teachers can travel easily during their school holidays.