Xingping Aston

Xingping is a small town located about 50km west of Xi’an and 25km south from Xianyang with a population of around 120,000. This is a small city with a rural feel and relaxed pace of life on the outskirts of Xi’an.

The summers are hot and the winter can drop to about minus 7 degrees with about one weeks snow cover in the deep winter. Spring and especially fall are beautiful times with beautiful weather lasting well into November. These are lovely times to wander through the surrounding farmlands and pastures, and relax outdoors in the peace and quiet. You can expect to be met with curiosity and a friendly smile from the local people in all seasons.

Most of the places you need to go to are within walking distance or you can take one of the astonishingly cheap taxis; 2 yuan or about $0.25 to anyplace in town. There are buses to and from Xianyang and Xi’an costing between 10 and 20 yuan round trip and there are even several trains to both cities which cuts the travel time to the center of Xi’an to about half an hour. Xi’an is a major transportation hub of western China with rail, bus, and air links to destinations all over the nation.

There are many restaurants in Xingping serving food from different regions of China. There are the ubiquitous Sichuan and Mongolian Hot Pot. There are also some delicious specialties such as the rabbit barbeque and delicious local “Gan Bing”, a kind of savory pancake. Shaanxi food is famous throughout China for its noodle dishes and Central Asian influences. In addition there is a Chinese version of a Western fast food outlet which offers western style fried chicken, burgers, and fries.

There is a supermarket near the school where you can buy food and most of your daily necessities as well as a myriad of back street markets selling fresh fruit and vegetables, in fact just about everything you could ever want while you are staying here.

Xingping is untouched by Western culture and offers an opportunity to experience life in small town, rural China. Those teachers interested in an immersion experience now lost in the development rush will find an unexplored community that has seen very little of the outside world. The people of this community are extremely welcoming and you can expect to make connections very easily here. We have found weekly opportunities being invited into local homes for meals, venturing further out into the countryside to be a part of rural life, and other similar experiences. Because of the very low cost of living, life in Xingping also offers the opportunity to make substantial savings during your time here. That comes in handy if you are planning a trip around China once you finish teaching to utilize your newly found Mandarin skills you are bound to develop.

School

Xingping Aston held its first classes for students back in the summer of 2006. Now in our first full term with a student body of 410+ students, Xingping Aston is fast becoming Xingping’s premier center for English training & studies for children and adults. We currently have 4 foreign teachers, 7 Chinese teachers and 6 reception staff.

Our school occupies all four floors of our building and our school design and layout is also the latest in planning within Aston schools. It offers students and teachers alike a clean, elegantly modern and safe environment. We have seven classrooms and a Teachers’ Lounge well stocked with teaching materials.

Apartments

The foreign teachers’ apartments in Xingping are very spacious, about 120 square meters. The bathrooms have a western toilet and washing machine. The living rooms have a sofa, chairs, and TV, as well as table and storage areas.

The apartments are in a modern block, which has front gate security guard. It is set among a very lively Chinese community. The apartments have internet access and are literally 5 minutes walk from the school.

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