China is an enormous country full of diverse cultures, cuisines, dialects and living conditions. Travelling from place to place in China you could feel as if you are travelling through a variety of different countries.

The lifestyle in the largest cities differs significantly from that in the countryside, the western and eastern parts of the country feel like completely separate worlds and customs in the north can be totally out of place in the south (and vice-versa). One could easily spend a lifetime exploring China and sampling its massive variety.

That being said, there are some parts of China that are typically more attractive for living in than others. While many people who come from abroad to live in China gravitate towards Beijing and Shanghai, there are many other wonderful cities in which to live in.

If you are fortunate enough to be able to select where you want to live in China (a common perk of being an English teacher) it can seem a little daunting to try to choose which city would be ideal for you.

Therefore, we have gathered a list of 15 cities, which are in no particular order (because tastes truly do vary), that seem to be generally considered the most enjoyable places to live in China.

We have taken into consideration many factors such as cultural and historical significance, economic conditions, cleanliness, cuisine, climate, fashion and shopping, how cosmopolitan a city is and proximity to other areas of interest.

We hope you enjoy our list of the 15 most livable cities in China!

1. Hangzhou

• Province: Zhejiang

• Population: 8.7 million

• GDP per capita: CNY 112,268 (USD 17,067)

• Great for: History, culture and scenery

There is an old Chinese saying that can be translated as “Up in the sky is heaven, and down here we have Suzhou and Hangzhou”. Hangzhou is renowned for its historical relics and natural beauty. It became one of China’s most prosperous cities partly due to its location at the southern end of the Grand Canal and partly because of its natural beauty.

Hangzhou’s most well-known attraction is West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The lake has been a favorite of poets and painters throughout Chinese history and has been an important source of inspiration for Chinese garden design. Marco Polo even called it the most beautiful place in the world.

Despite its modern development, Hangzhou has maintained a nice mix of old and new and you can easily explore the rich history and culture of the city while enjoying the nightlife and shopping. Hangzhou is also close to many other cities of interest, including a few others on this list such as Shanghai, Suzhou and Nanjing.

2. Xiamen

• Province: Fujian

• Population: 3.5 million

• GDP per capita: CNY 77,392 (USD 11,765)

• Great for: Leisure, climate and seafood

Xiamen sits on the southeast coast of China, directly across from Taiwan. Much of the city itself sits on an island surrounded by coastline. It’s a great place to rent a bike, enjoy the beach and eat some seafood.

The city was one of the four original Special Economic Zones opened to foreign investing and trade during the economic reform period of the early 1980’s. Xiamen and the surrounding areas in Fujian are the ancestral home to large numbers of overseas Chinese. These two factors have helped create a plethora of cultural and educational institutions and a thriving economy.

Gulangyu, also called Piano Island, is a popular for day trips and weekend getaways and provides great views of the city and has many Victorian-era style European buildings. Kinmen Island, which is under Taiwanese jurisdiction, is a quick ferry ride away and has regular quick flights to Taiwan.

3. Kunming

• Province: Yunnan

• Population: 6.4 million

• GDP per capita: CNY 46,814 (USD 7,116)

• Great for: Cultural and ethnic variety, surrounding scenery and proximity to Sout East Asia

The capital and largest city of Yunnan province, Kunming is known as “Spring City” because of its moderate climate. It is one of the least polluted large cities in China and is home to several universities, museums and other important cultural, economic and educational institutions.

Yunnan province is full of cultural and ethnic variety and can feel like a world apart from the big coastal cities on the east coast. Outside of Kunming you can explore Dian Lake, which is surrounded by temples and limestone hills, go hiking in the Stone Forest or take a train or bus into Vietnam, Myanmar or Laos.

3. Qingdao

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