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Teach English in Lanzhou: The Complete Guide
Learn about the capital city of Gansu Province and what to expect teaching here
Lanzhou at a Glance
Lanzhou (pronunciation: ['lɑ:n'dʒəu]) is an important fulcrum of the West Longhai Lanxin Economic Belt, an important transportation hub and logistics centre in northwest China, and the second-largest city in northwest China, which is one of the five central cities in the Chinese section of the New Eurasian Continental Bridge (Lanzhou, Xuzhou, Zhengzhou, Xi 'an and Urumqi). It is the bridge and link between the eastern and central regions of China and the western regions.
Lanzhou is the second-largest freight station in northwest China, an important container transfer centre on the New Eurasian Continental Bridge, and communication hub and information network centre in western China. The city is built by mountains and rivers, and the mountains are layered, reflecting the vigorous and magnificent northwest border.
Where Is Lanzhou
Lanzhou is located in northwest China and central Gansu province. Lanzhou is 737 miles away from Beijing by air and 1,073 miles away from Shanghai by air.
Population of Lanzhou
According to Lanzhou Statistical Yearbook 2019, the population of Lanzhou is 3,284,700 by the end of 2018. The population density is 285 people per square kilometre.
Weather in Lanzhou
Lanzhou had 163 days with good or excellent air quality in 2019. Lanzhou average high temperature is 32 °C while the average low temperature is -5 °C. The average humidity is 55%.
Lanzhou has a temperate continental climate. It is a famous city having summers without blistering heat and winters without much coldness. Located in the inland of northwest China, Gansu cannot easily reach the ocean's warm and humid airflow, hence there is little chance of rain. Most of the areas are dry with plenty of brilliant sunshine.
How to Get to Lanzhou
By Train
Lanzhou has two major train stations. Lanzhou Railway Station is an crucial transportation hub both in Eurasian Continental Bridge and Chinese Silk Road. Lanzhou West Railway Station has come into use in 2014 as the largest terminus along the Lanzhou-Xinjiang High-Speed Railway.
By Air
Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport is the main international hub airport in Lanzhou. It is a major transportation hub in Western China, which handled 13,858,151 passengers in 2018. It is located 42 miles north of Lanzhou city centre.
Teach English in Lanzhou, Gansu
The job openings for the foreign teachers in Lanzhou is not as ample as that of coastal cities. According to Lanzhou Statistical Yearbook 2019, by 2018, Lanzhou has 519 primary schools and 226,002 students. It has 882 kindergartens and 119,842 students. It has 205 secondary schools and 165,068 students.
International School Jobs in Lanzhou
Gansu has over ten international schools and international programs such as the International Division of The High School Attached to Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou Oriental Canada Secondary School and Lanzhou Wanhua Concord College of Sino-Candan.
To apply for the job in international schools, you should show great individual care and support for the students, promoting learning styles that cater to individual differences to provide engagement in rigorous, relevant, and significant learning. Besides, you should plan and have clear academic objectives during the class, making use of core teaching resources and supplementary materials. Meanwhile, you ought to analyse and record student progress and provide constructive feedback to promote students’ progress towards academic standards.
Kindergarten Jobs in Lanzhou
To apply for the job in kindergartens, you should be positive, patient, caring and self-managing with excellent interpersonal skills and a keen interest in early childhood development. In addition, you should report to the principal in a timely manner.
Training Centre Jobs in Lanzhou
There are more job opportunities in training centres in Lanzhou than international schools and kindergarten. To work in training centres, you should provide high-quality professional teaching at all times and prepare classes and extracurricular activities as required. Moreover, you ought to help students reach the level of English specified in the course learning objectives and provide academic advice and assistance to students in and out of the classroom.
How Much Do You Get Paid to Teach in Lanzhou
Type of School | Monthly Basic Salary |
Training Centres | ¥9,167 ($1,309) - ¥12,458 ($1,779) |
International Schools | ¥15,000 ($2,142) - ¥18,000 ($2,570) |
Kindergartens | ¥10,000 ($1,428) - ¥15,000 ($2,142) |
According to 'Lanzhou City & Salary 2020 Research Report', working in international schools and kindergartens are more likely to get higher wages than in training centres. The average monthly basic salary is ¥10,812 ($1,544) in training centres, ¥16,500 ($2,356) in international schools and ¥12,500 ($1,785) in kindergartens.
Lanzhou ESL Jobs Requirements
According to 'Lanzhou City & Salary 2020 Research Report',
Having a bachelor degree is a prerequisite for all international schools, kindergartens and formal training centres.
Two years of working experience is required for international schools and kindergartens while training centres recruit teachers having working experience below two years
Being a native speaker is not a must for most jobs in training centres whereas for more than 75% job openings in international school and kindergartens, it is necessary to be a native speaker.
Living in Lanzhou, China
Lanzhou is an industrial city of about three million people. It is located on the shores of the Yellow River and was a major stop on the Silk Road, where it was known as the Golden City
Things to Do in Lanzhou
Beef Noodles
Lanzhou is most famous for its noodles. Beef noodles has a long history in China. Although beef noodles could be found everywhere in China, Lanzhou beef noodles have special flvour and tale. The dish contains beef, pale radish, spicy oil, green cilantro and soft noodles.
White Pagoda Hill Park
The park stands to the south of Lanzhou and is named after the white pagoda on the top of the hill. The park was initially built in Yuan Dynasty and was rebuilt in Ming Dynasty. The temple plane is rectangular and the pagoda sits in the middle. The white pagoda has eight sides and seven levels, with a green roof and a round base. The whole pagoda is pure white, straight and beautiful.
Lanzhou Yellow River Iron Bridge
The bridge is also named as Zhongshan Bridge to commemorate Sun Yat-sen. Lanzhou Yellow River Iron Bridge is the first bridge built with foreign technology in Lanzhou, Gansu province and even the whole northwest of China in modern history. This special construction background makes Lanzhou Yellow River Iron Bridge become the key to study modern history and occupy a unique position in The history of Chinese architecture. At the same time, the transportation of materials needed for the bridge also created a miracle in modern transportation history.
Cost of Living in Lanzhou
According to NUMBEO,
- Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax): ¥3,283 ($893)
- Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant: ¥18 ($3)
- Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre: ¥1,967 ($281)
Where to Live in Lanzhou
It is more convenient for expatriates to live in the downtown such as Chengguan District and Qilihe District.
Notwithstanding the remote location from other highly developed Tier 1 cities, Lanzhou has impressive nightlife for both locals and expats. You could spend the night with leisure and pleasure in a tea house or with passion and vigour in a pub. If you take pleasure in enjoying the starlight when night reigns, this city will make you feel warm and relax.
Lanzhou Subway Map
Lanzhou Metro System has one line and 20 stations by 2019. Line 2 is under construction.
Lanzhou City&Salary Report

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