China officially has 707 cities, each with its own unique lifestyle, history, culture, and language. Meanwhile, Mandarin is one of the three most spoken languages in the world. Becoming an Au Pair in China not only allows you to experience its rich ancient culture, but also gives you the opportunity to witness the country's modern innovation and rapid development. Before beginning your journey, it is important to choose the city that best suits you to ensure a wonderful Au Pair experience.

 

In this blog, we introduce three major cities in China—Beijing, Shanghai and Chongqing—to help you find the destination that best matches your interests and personality.

Beijing is a city where modern living and traditional lifestyles coexist. As an Au Pair, you'll experience how local families embrace both convenience and tradition in their daily lives. Online shopping and food delivery apps are widely used, allowing groceries, meals, and other essentials to arrive at your Host Family's doorstep with just a few taps. An extensive subway network also makes it easy to travel around the city, whether you're accompanying the children to activities or exploring Beijing in your free time.

 

During weekends and holidays, many host families enjoy spending time together at shopping malls, cafés, parks, museums, and cultural attractions. Beijing also offers a vibrant nightlife, with lively bars, clubs, and live music venues for Au Pairs to enjoy during their free time. If you prefer a quieter escape, nearby lakes, mountains, and scenic parks provide the perfect setting for a relaxing weekend getaway.

Peking Duck (北京烤鸭) is Beijing's signature dish, renowned for its crispy skin, tender meat, and rich flavor. It is traditionally served with thin pancakes, scallions, cucumber, and sweet bean sauce, allowing diners to wrap each bite themselves. As northern Chinese cuisine relies heavily on wheat-based foods, noodles, steamed buns, dumplings, and other dough-based dishes are staples of everyday meals in Beijing.

 

Street food is also an essential part of Beijing's food culture. Jianbing (煎饼), Baozi (包子), Beijing ice cream, Chuan'r (串儿), Men Ding Rou Bing (门钉肉饼), and Old Beijing yogurt are some of the city's most popular local snacks. To experience Beijing's vibrant street food scene, visit famous food streets and markets such as Wangfujing Night Market, Qianmen Food Street, Guijie (Ghost Street), Niujie Muslim Food Street, Shichahai Food Street, and Longfusi Food Market.

Beijing, the capital of China, has played a central role in the country's history for centuries. The city is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, the Ming Tombs, the Grand Canal, and the Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian. The city offers an exceptional blend of history and culture! During your allowed time for language courses and cultural activities, you'll have plenty of opportunities to discover Beijing's historic landmarks and experience authentic Chinese culture firsthand.

 

Beyond visiting iconic landmarks, you can experience Chinese culture in everyday life. From watching Beijing Opera and other traditional performing arts to celebrating traditional Chinese festivals with your Host Family, Beijing offers an authentic and unforgettable cultural experience that goes far beyond sightseeing.

Shanghai is known for its modern and luxurious lifestyle, offering everything from high-end restaurants and vibrant nightlife to glamorous shopping districts. The city also hosts a variety of international events and features a wide range of premium entertainment and recreational facilities. Whether you're looking for world-renowned luxury brands or bargain finds at local markets, Shanghai offers something for every shopper. Its unique blend of fashion, luxury, and diversity attracts visitors from all over the world.

 

As an Au Pair in China, you will have at least 1–1,5 days off per week. If you're in your 20s and still in your "party era," Shanghai's vibrant nightlife is something you definitely shouldn't miss! From stylish rooftop bars and live music venues to trendy clubs and late-night cafés, the city comes alive after dark. If you enjoy a fast-paced, cosmopolitan lifestyle, Shanghai could be the perfect place to call home during your Au Pair adventure. 

 

However, if you prefer a calmer environment and enjoy staying active, Shanghai also offers numerous parks and green spaces where you can take a walk, go for a run, or simply enjoy a picnic with your host children. During your free time, you can also make use of the city's wide range of sports and fitness facilities to maintain a healthy lifestyle and meet new people. Whether you're exploring the outdoors with your Host Family or joining a local sports club, Shanghai offers plenty of opportunities to stay active and build connections throughout your Au Pair journey.

Living with a Host Family allows you to enjoy authentic homemade Shanghainese cuisine and experience the local food culture firsthand. As part of your stay, you will receive full board, including three meals a day, which are usually shared with the family. Dining out is a common part of everyday life in Shanghai, with countless restaurants and street food options to explore. If you ever miss the flavors of home, there's no need to worry: the city offers a wide variety of high-quality international restaurants alongside its local specialties.

 

Shanghainese cuisine, also known as Benbang cuisine, is famous for its sweet and savory flavors, generous use of dark soy sauce, and slow-braised cooking techniques. One of its most iconic dishes is Xiaolongbao (小笼包), delicate steamed soup dumplings filled with pork, vegetables, or crab roe. As you take your first bite, the rich, flavorful broth trapped inside the thin wrapper bursts into your mouth, creating a truly memorable dining experience. Other signature dishes, such as Hong Shao Rou (红烧肉), Shengjianbao (生煎包), and Cong You Ban Mian (葱油拌面), are also beloved by both locals and visitors alike.

Shanghai's culture is best represented by Haipai culture, a unique blend of Wu culture, Yue culture, and Western influences. It perfectly combines Eastern and Western traditions, as well as history and modernity, giving Shanghai its distinctive cosmopolitan character.

 

As one of China's most important port cities, Shanghai has witnessed many significant historical events that have shaped its international outlook and cultural diversity. Today, you can experience this unique blend through its historic neighborhoods, colonial architecture, world-class museums, art galleries, fashion scene, and vibrant cultural festivals. As an Au Pair, living in Shanghai offers the opportunity to experience both traditional Chinese customs and a modern, international lifestyle in one dynamic city.

Chongqing is famous for its dramatic mountainous landscape, which gives the city a unique three-dimensional layout. It is not uncommon for the same street to connect to different floors of a building, ranging from the ground floor to the fifteenth floor. Skyscrapers dominate the skyline, while Raffles City—one of Chongqing's most iconic landmarks—stands at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, symbolizing the city's modern urban landscape. Its 300-meter-long Crystal Skybridge offers visitors breathtaking panoramic views of the city.

 

Life in Chongqing is fast-paced and highly social, especially within its dense urban districts. Riding long escalators and climbing stairways are part of everyday life, while the city's extensive public transportation network makes getting around convenient. The locals are known for being friendly and welcoming. Many young people embrace the "dopamine lifestyle", which is a balanced way of living that combines everyday enjoyment with long-term well-being. Despite being one of China's largest cities, Chongqing has a significantly lower cost of living than Shanghai and Beijing. The city is also home to countless cafés, bars, restaurants, and leisure venues, creating a vibrant and energetic atmosphere.

Food in Chongqing is highly affordable, and the city is famous for its bold, spicy, and tongue-numbing cuisine. Chongqing hot pot is its signature dish. More than just a comforting meal, it is an important social tradition where family and friends gather around a bubbling pot for hours, sharing food and conversation.

 

Chili peppers and chili oil are considered the soul of Chongqing cuisine, creating the city's distinctive spicy and numbing flavors. Other local favorites include Xiao Mian (小面), Suan La Fen (酸辣粉), and La Zi Ji (辣子鸡), all of which can be found in local restaurants and street food stalls throughout the city.

 

If you're ready to challenge your spice tolerance while experiencing one of China's most vibrant food cultures, Chongqing could be the perfect destination for your next Au Pair adventure.

Chongqing is an ancient city with a history spanning over 3,000 years and is often known as the "City of Museums." Home to more than 40 museums, visitors can explore a wide range of topics, from history and archaeology to traditional Chinese medicine, science and technology, natural history, and the famous Three Gorges.

 

If you are a fan of arts and culture, Chongqing is a fascinating city that has preserved the artistic heritage of the ancient Ba-Yu people for over 3,000 years. Renowned for its rich traditions in literature, music, drama, sculpture, and folk arts, it is often regarded as the Capital of Arts. From the Dazu Rock Carvings and the famous Tongliang Dragon Dance to traditional lantern operas and local performances, Chongqing offers countless opportunities to experience the city's vibrant artistic legacy firsthand.

Au pairing in China is not only a chance to discover a new lifestyle, food, and culture, but also an opportunity to explore new possibilities and build valuable connections in this rapidly developing country. With the possibility of partial or full flight reimbursement upon successful completion of the program, an Au Pair stay in China offers an accessible way to experience one of the world's most dynamic countries while investing in your personal growth.