Foreigners choose Hohhot over megacities

A visitor from Portugal (second from left) makes boiled lamb breast with local residents for a fire sacrifice ritual held in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Jan 28. [Photo/VCG]

Hohhot, capital of North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region has seen an influx of foreign residents over the past few years.

Traditionally, megacities such as Beijing and Shanghai have been popular with expats, but many are now choosing lesser known cities such as Hohhot.

Thanks to the city's rapid economic growth, Hohhot is increasingly seen as an exciting place to live and work.

"I have lived here for nearly 14 years; I love everything here," said Vincent, an expat from the Philippines.

Vincent came to Hohhot in 2006 to work as a foreign language teacher. Since then, he has learnt to speak fluent Chinese and has built a successful career in the city.

Hohhot has changed dramatically over the last few years; there are new expressways and significant improvements to public transportation networks, he said.

Most importantly, the city is becoming more and more environmentally friendly, he added.

The local culture has also proved attractive to foreigners arriving in the city.

Jason, an Irish expat, works in the city as a foreign language teacher. He enjoys learning the local dialect and even decorated his house with red lanterns over Spring Festival, despite not knowing anything about the festival when he first arrived in Hohhot.  

I'm really pleased to be working here, and hope that I can make a valuable contribution to the city, he said.

The municipal government plans to continue making the city a welcoming environment for expat workers, with a host of new preferential policies designed to make the city an attractive place to live in.