Volunteering in Shanghai : City Bustle vs. Cultural Depth, Why Not Both?

Even if the skyline of Shanghai gives reason to doubt: a stroll through the economically growing inner city grants you a little insight into the historical past of the metropolis here and there. Because tradition is not neglected in the rapidly growing metropolis despite striking modernity. Traces of the early 20th century can be found in the small narrow streets between the high-rise buildings, in which the new China blossomed under strong western influence. You won't feel that strange here, because the tourists are just romping around.

Even in a city of 23 million, there are corners here and there where no tourists can be found. Especially in the areas around the schools and kindergartens, Shanghai reproduces the classic image of the Chinese lifestyle: here the hair is washed on the street, the laundry is dried on the side of the path, and men playing chess next to it. The food is eaten outdoors and can also be quiet in pajamas. In the small dormitories and rooms that most families in Shanghai call home, there is no place for everyday things in life. The majority of life takes place in the streets, typically Chinese.

As a volunteer teacher in schools or as a supervisor in kindergartens, you will live during the week in accommodations provided by these institutions. If there is no fridge or kitchen here, do it like the Shanghainese! People eat to chat with friends, at business meetings, at celebrations - eating means living in Shanghai. The choice of restaurants and street kitchens is so large that you don't know where to start. If it is just not supposed to be a frog, then it also does a well-seasoned noodle soup (Ma La Tang).

The good thing about the big city is that you can get by with isolated Mandarin phrases. The basics are often understood in English. In addition, there are always tourists who know one way or the other. No matter how much time you spend in Shanghai, you will always feel you have not seen enough. If the hustle and bustle of the big city gets too much for you, there are things to do in Huang Shan from here to enjoy the impressive landscape.

Who would have thought that one hour from Shanghai can be on an idyllic island that is very different from Shanghai. No gray haze clouds or bustling crowds; instead an agricultural harmony, decorated with orange groves and charming little promenades. Only in recent years has the island developed from a somewhat neglected farmland into a popular weekend destination for city dwellers.

It seems as if the island has developed its own character and, besides, its own Mandarin accent. If you have just come from Shanghai and think your Chinese is good, you are still a little lost in translation on Chong Ming. Tourists visit the island only fleetingly, so do not even try to contact international travelers in order to escape the language problems. Join the locals to learn the subtleties of pronunciation.

Now a little treat for every Jackie Chan fan: The beginnings of Chinese Kung Fu’s can be traced back to the 5th century in the city of Zheng Zhou. The city can look back on thousands of years of history and many sights are witnesses. A tourist city, you would think? On the contrary! If you are looking for pure Chinese adventure, you have to go to Zheng Zhou.

Those who are neither ready for the megacity Shanghai nor want to embark on a cultural ecstasy in Zheng Zhou will find a good compromise in Cheng Du in Si Chuan province or in Su Zhou in Jiang Su Province - something for Chinese beginners, so to speak. Both cities boast picture-perfect motifs that attract tourists, but still have none of their Chinese charm. Even if it is suitable for newcomers to Asia, the mandarin course should not be missed.

Just 40 minutes from Shanghai, here in Su Zhou the ancient merges with the old, the not so old, the new and the ultra-modern. The Chinese continue their traditional everyday life 100 meters from the large shopping centers and sell street food in the small streets. The tourists who want to see the picture-perfect motifs of the “Venice of the Orient” mainly stay in the old town and the parks. So you don't necessarily run into them. The property is less than 5 minutes from the school where you teach. The area also offers wonderful shopping opportunities. If all of this becomes too personal, you can simply flee to the big city in a hop, skip and jump.

Cheng Du is the capital of Si Chuan Province. In addition to the very spicy food that the province is known for, Cheng Du is especially known for its giant pandas. Cheng Du is a large Chinese city, but despite its urban character, Chengdu also has unique, beautiful landscapes. Cheng Du is a city on the upswing, but it still hasn't got the character of other Chinese cities like Shanghai. Chengdu is the ideal destination to immerse yourself in the Chinese cultural heritage. Cheng Du is still very unknown to tourists and many of the locals have never seen foreign faces. This gives you a great opportunity to get to know the Chinese culture and to teach the locals something about Western culture.