I live in Hohhot and agree that it really isn't for the faint hearted but it does have plenty of positives to offer. The sad thing is one of those isn't your school. From what I've heard from staff and FORMER students the dead wood in which you speak is essentially the whole school! It maybe the kind of place you go if you wish to rot like wood in a storm but if you're serious about making a career out of teaching EF Hohhot isn't the place!! And what do you mean up and coming?! The place is older than the ark!! It came up years ago and is now (or at least should be) sinking! I really don't like some of the stories I've heard coming out of this place for some time now really sounds unpleasant the way many of the people get treated. Answer me this if its just the foreigners who leave because they can't cope with Chinese life why do so many local staff leave and go to other schools?