Taicang is a boring city of urban sprawl. The buses stop running at about half past seven every night. Expats working there are mainly European. Most are German.

If you rent an apartment, you'll be paying typically at least 1.5 K a month for a small 15th floor air-conditioned unit, one A/C only.

You can expect at least one visit from the local police to check your visa during each academic year. Your landlord will have provided the police with scant details of the people living in the apartment, whaever their nationality. If your visa is not a Z visa, you can expect to be reported to Suzhou PSB, who'll deport you after you've paid a huge fine.

Finally, Taicang is said to be the birthplace of mahjong.