China

[farleft]

Hello,

I am moving to China in July for at least a year but probably two. I will be teaching English (as a foreign language).

Has anyone here been to China? Any tips or advice before I go?

Appreciated,

[Spawn of Stalin]

I don't have any practical tips but you should probably pay your respects to Chairman Mao while you're there

[farleft]

Will do! :)

[Lenina Rosenweg]

China can be vastly different depending on whether you're in a big city-Shanghai/Beijing, or an inland city, or a small town. Small cities and towns I felt were more interesting. China is an utterly fascinating place.

Lonely Planet is probably still the best guidebook. If you're a teacher you'll get a month off to travel in February. Go for it.

Davesesl.com gives teaching tips and info on conditions.

http://chinaworker.info/

has good info on China from a left perspective

also
http://chinastudygroup.net/ and http://www.china-labour.org.hk/en/

[farleft]

I'll be in Guilin a town in Guangxi province.

[Lenina Rosenweg]

Guilin is a cool place. Its a backpacker hangout. The surrounding area is great to explore.

[farleft]

Cool! :) I like the backpacker scene

[Raúl Duke]

I heard there's a place in China where marijuana literally grows on everywhere.

I think it's Yunnan...

[Nwoye]

I would probably keep it on the down low that you're an anarchist.

[RedStarOverChina]

If you want to participate in the leftist political scene, then there's no better place to be than Beijing, despite it being a dreadful place.

There's a bookstorein Beijing called Utopia where all the lefties would gather

[Os Cangaceiros]

I heard there's a place in China where marijuana literally grows on everywhere.

Shangri La?

[farleft]

I'm not really interested in weed or any other drug.

[Lenina Rosenweg]

If you want to participate in the leftist political scene, then there's no better place to be than Beijing, despite it being a dreadful place.

There's a bookstorein Beijing called Utopia where all the lefties would gather

I've heard Utopia had been raided by the GongAn several times and they now hide their leftist books. There's been a crackdown on the left in China over the past 2 years or so.

Beijing is a dreadful place, ecept for Lake Houhai, maybe.

[Foldered]

Let me know how your experience was. I've got my TESOL certificate and will be looking for a job around this time next year (after I get my BA). Haven't decided where I plan to go yet though, so I'd like to know how it was/is.

[RedStarOverChina]

I've heard Utopia had been raided by the GongAn several times and they now hide their leftist books. There's been a crackdown on the left in China over the past 2 years or so.

Beijing is a dreadful place, ecept for Lake Houhai, maybe.
There's always a crackdown on the left. Been that way since 76'. :(

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

I'm not really interested in weed or any other drug.

Good, because the Chinese authorities are fucking psychotic on the matter.

[Raúl Duke]

I've got my TESOL certificate and will be looking for a job around this time next year (after I get my BA). Haven't decided where I plan to go yet though, so I'd like to know how it was/is. I visited Japan... like 5 or 6 years ago

It was nice, modern, and stuff.
Also just weird.
If you like Asia, weird shit, and modernity mix with ancient buildings I suggest Japan.

Personally, I want to go around Kansai one day (Osaka, Kyoto, Nara) and also get very drunk (and if possible high, but in Asia it seems that's more difficult than in America or Europe) a few times while wandering around the cit(ies).

[Dr Mindbender]

Personally, I want to go around Kansai one day (Osaka, Kyoto, Nara) and also get very drunk (and if possible high, but in Asia it seems that's more difficult than in America or Europe) a few times while wandering around the cit(ies).

Its probably a bad idea to get drunk publicly in Japan, i doubt they look positively on loud, bawdy behaviour in public. Especially if youre not within the circles of the elite business community.

I imagine sensitivities in China are rather similar.

[Foldered]

Its probably a bad idea to get drunk publicly in Japan, i doubt they look positively on loud, bawdy behaviour in public.
I don't get loud and bawdy when I'm drunk.

[Raúl Duke]

I don't get loud and bawdy when I'm drunk.

me neither

[Dr Mindbender]

I don't get loud and bawdy when I'm drunk.

you say that but peoples perceptions change when they're drunk.

In a society built on politeness and etiquette drunkeness in general is frowned upon.

[Foldered]

you say that but peoples perceptions change when they're drunk.
Of course my perceptions change, but I'm not loud and bawdy. I get drunk frequently enough to know that.

[farleft]

If I can access sites like this in China I will leave some feedback for you Foldered

[RedStarOverChina]

If I can access sites like this in China I will leave some feedback for you Foldered
Yeah you can. Don't worry about it.