You've been accepted to teach in rural Hunan, not getting paid much? I think anybody knowing some basic English is accepted too without even having to apply.

Why not just teach somewhere for money. You are doing the same cause. You will probably discover that the school where you teach only cares about money anyways, don't let them talk you into doing a good thing by working for cheap/volunteering.

If you want to help people or teach poor kids in China, do it on your own, then you get 100% satisfaction, not 100% disappointment.

maybe you should have asked this question before you applied. contracts come with a 1 or 2 month probationary period. give it a try. but make sure you establish contacts at schools in changsha or wuhan, so you can make a quick getaway. 

Is it Chenzhou? Decline it, and thank me later. They will not honor the contract, and you'll be sent to rural Sichuan province if you're stupid enough to accept the bouncing. You'll also be working illegally, so they'll hold that against you.

And furthermore, they'll be earning quite a killing by exploiting you. They have the means to pay, but it seems like they don't want you to actually earn any money. Stay away from "Sunny" the recruiter as well.

Do not, under any circumstances, bother with a recruiter. In many cases, recruiters are looking to exploit well-meaning teachers so they can steal half, if not all of their salary by telling them they're doing a "good thing" for "charity." Yeah, the charity is the recruiter's wallet. I'm sorry to say that most Chinese don't have a conscience. This place is worse than Nigeria when it comes to scams.

Additionally, when going through a recruiter, you'll sign the contract with the school (it will show on the contract), but at the last minute you'll be told you signed the contract with the recruiter's company. That's IF they told you about it.

If someone else is willing to accept a lower salary -- even at the last minute! -- you'll be told they wanted a male or female teacher instead, and you'll be asked to go to another city. If this happens enough, you'll quickly develop a bad reputation with schools since the recruiters told them that YOU changed your mind at the last minute, and you'll look bad.

Then the recruiter will jump in to "save the day" with a last minute rescue replacement that nets them more money.

EDIT: I'd like to add that I've been to countless dozens of rural areas all across Hunan province. None of them are worth going to, except one, and not for one year. They are all run down, the places are extremely poor, and thieves are everywhere. A "rich foreigner" will be a huge target in rural Hunan.

In addition, you will not have the means to escape if you don't bring a foreign debit card, or if the foreign debit card can't be used in that particular rural area. You will essentially be TRAPPED THERE. RUN AWAY WHILE YOU STILL CAN!

In case you're still confused about what I mean: DO NOT ACCEPT THE JOB. Run the hell away.

I think you answered your own question.

1) you worked in Beijing and enjoyed it

2) you are use to urban living.

If that's the case then why not work in a large city like Beijing or Shanghai or somewhere else. There's no shortage of job offers so don't feel like a rural place is your only choice.

Some advice on rural parts of China.

1) Corruption is higher as places are more isolated

2) There's usually NOTHING to do so you can get extremely bored and lonely very quick

3). Simple things like shopping and food are more much much marder in a small isolate area

4) It's much much harder to find a new job in the area if you dislike your current one

5) It's much harder to get away if your job is a scam. A large city gives you far more easy and quick transportation options to get out and the whole town isn't going to notice you leaving.

I would advise against it unless you are really intent on living in a isolated/rural area. The pay sounds bad and if you you aren't use to living in a rural area (especially in China) there is a good chance you will end up hating it and then it will be difficult to find new work or to even leave.

Bottom line answer is "no way".  Why would you work for no money?  If you really want to work in China, first of all, you need to do more research.  Unless you were raised in a cave, you will not like it - that I promise!  

I've been here for a year and a half and have finally had admitted to myself that all the problems I've had here are not my fault.  I never want to be the type of person who is a "victim" so I've stuck it out through some pretty ridiculous occurrences.  Finally, I know... it's not me, it's the Chinese.  

They're a 5,000 year old "developing country".  That in itself should tell you something.  If they haven't learned how to be civil in that amount of time, they never will.  

Spare yourself the frustration.  Life is too short to live more than about a week in China. 

I should have included this... the fact that they have led you to believe that you have been "accepted" is an indication that they're already misleading (not being honest) you.  Anyone from an English speaking country can teach in China - and get paid!  

Don't fall for their shit, please!