Yancheng

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Changshu Aston

For an expat looking for the best parts of old and new China, the city of Changshu is an ideal location. Changshu has a long history, beginning in 540 AD and today it is one of China's most affluent, prosperous and modern cities. Living and working in Changshu gives an expat a perspective on China's past, present and future. The most striking feature of Changshu is Yushan mountain, rising high above the flat Yangzi River plain. Yushan mountain park is crisscrossed with hiking paths, tea fields, ancient temples and features excellent views of the sprawling city skyline below. The city also features a maze of waterways, the exquisite Shang Lake and ancient temples dotted around the city.

Changshu is quite different from most cities in China because of the good air quality. This is because the local economy is focused primarily on light manufacturing, garment production, technology and hospitality services; rather than on heavy industry. The city is noted for its inviting parks, gardens, pagodas and the Xinfu Temple, an ancient Buddhist monastery on the slopes of Yushan. Changshu means "long harvest" in Mandarin and is known as "clothing capital of china", for its status as a worldwide leader in garment distribution and trade.

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Lianyungang

Lianyungang is a small city nestled between the mountains and the sea in Jiangsu Province. During the summer LYG is a popular site for Chinese tourists looking for fun in the sun and delicious seafood.

The city is divided into four districts: the most important two for foreign teachers are Xing Pu where the school is located and Xu Gou, which is by the sea. The beach is easily reached by an 8 yuan / 45 minute bus ride, 30 minute taxi, or a 2 ½ hour bike ride if you’re up for some exercise.

Within the city are Hua Guo Shan (Flower & Fruit Mountain – home of the Monkey King), Green Park (a spacious area filled with older people practicing Tai Chi in the mornings), and Hai Zhou Gu Cheng (the older part of the city with ancient Chinese architecture and a small temple). Outside the city are lots of mountains, little villages, and miles of beautiful countryside easily within reach if you have a bike or want to take a bus.

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Xuzhou Aston

Located in northern Jiangsu Province, Xuzhou is a classic modern Chinese city. Its history dates back over the past two millennium, and is physically evident throughout with a large number of cultural relics dating as far back as the Han Dynasty scattered about the city and local countryside.

Situated on the southern edge of the North China plain with mountains rising to the south, the weather in Xuzhou is generally mild and clear blue skies are the norm. The annual average temperature is 13 to 16 degrees Celsius with dry winters dropping below freezing at night. Summers are hot and wet with frequent thunderstorms. Spring and autumn are short, but very pleasant, sunny, and dry.

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