Nomad Summit Podcast: Fuel for Your Nomadic Journey

Digital Nomad in China – The Reality
In this bonus episode, we wrap up Christoph Huebner's four-week journey through China and take a closer look at what it's really like to live and work remotely in the country.
After exploring cities like Shenzhen, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Dali, this is where we zoom out and connect the dots. What worked? What didn't? And what would you do differently next time?
One of the biggest surprises was something many digital nomads take for granted – internet access. While it's often said that "everyone uses a VPN in China," the reality turned out to be very different. As Christoph explains, it became a daily challenge just to get basic tools working.
At the same time, China offers something few other places can match. In many ways, it feels like stepping into the future – from digital payments to automation and AI-driven tools. But that's only one side of the story.
In this episode, we explore the contrast between cutting-edge technology and more traditional aspects of society – and how that affects the experience of being a digital nomad in China.
You'll also meet Meng, a Chinese digital nomad who has taken a very different path. After years in a traditional office job, she made the leap into a more flexible lifestyle and now works remotely while traveling. Her story offers a rare inside perspective on what this lifestyle looks like from within China.
Finally, we join Christoph at his farewell dinner in Dali – a last moment with the community that became such an important part of his journey.
This is the deeper dive. The honest version. And the episode where we try to answer the big question:
Is China a place digital nomads should consider?
 
Key Takeaways
Being a digital nomad in China is possible – but not without challenges
VPN access is unreliable and can become a daily frustration
Some essential tools like Zoom may work without a VPN, while others like Google services do not
China feels highly advanced in technology, but more traditional in other areas of society
Human interaction can feel limited due to high levels of automation and digital systems
The digital nomad scene in China is still developing and often centered outside major cities
Meng's story shows that a "true" digital nomad lifestyle does exist within China – but it is still relatively rare
Flexibility and preparation are key if you want to work remotely from China
 
Relevant Links
Nomad Summit: https://nomadsummit.com
Episode produced by RadioGuru: https://radioguru.co.uk

In this fourth and final episode from China, Christoph Huebner travels to Dali – a small town in Yunnan province that's often described as the "Chiang Mai of China."
After exploring megacities like Shenzhen and Shanghai, and spending time in Chengdu, this stop feels very different. Slower. More relaxed. And with a much stronger sense of community.
Christoph arrives at a co-living space in Dali where he's immediately welcomed into the group – complete with karaoke night, shared meals, and something they call a "mentor system," where new arrivals are paired with someone from the community to help them settle in.
In this episode, you'll hear from Wendy and Yellow, two members of the co-living space, as they talk about what makes this place special, how the community works, and why Dali has become a hub – not just for international nomads, but for Chinese remote workers as well.
We also visit another co-living space in town, where the vibe is more modern and locally driven, and where most residents are Chinese – giving a different perspective on what the digital nomad scene looks like inside China.
This episode wraps up with a conversation reflecting on Christoph's time in Dali – but as you'll hear, there's more to unpack, which we'll continue in the next episode.
 
Key Takeaways
Dali offers a completely different experience from China's major cities – with a slower pace and stronger community vibe
Co-living spaces play a key role in the digital nomad ecosystem in China
The "mentor system" helps new arrivals quickly integrate into the community
Many digital nomads in Dali are Chinese, not international
The local scene is closely connected through networks like 706
Dali is more about lifestyle, nature, and connection than career growth
Compared to other places in China, Dali feels more aligned with what international nomads expect from a co-living destination
Relevant Links
Nomad Summit: https://nomadsummit.com
Episode produced by RadioGuru: https://radioguru.co.uk

In this third episode from China, Christoph Huebner travels from Shanghai to the Chengdu region to explore the digital nomad scene – and what he finds is a tale of two very different communities.
First, we go back to a rural village outside Shanghai, where a digital nomad co-living project is quietly thriving. Here, the focus is on people, connection, and shared experiences. Guests arrive for a few days and end up staying for weeks – sometimes even months – drawn in by a strong sense of community and belonging.
Then, Christoph heads to DN Beta, a large co-living space located about 100 kilometres south of Chengdu. On paper, it has everything – modern facilities, coworking spaces, and ambitious plans to attract digital nomads.
But when he arrives, something feels off.
Despite the scale and investment, the place is nearly empty. There are no activities, no real sense of community, and even basic things aren't working. What looks like a flagship project turns out to be a powerful example of how not to build a digital nomad hub.
So what makes one place work – and another fail?
This episode explores the difference between building infrastructure and building community, and why one matters far more than the other.
 
Key Takeaways
Community is the foundation – without it, even the best facilities feel empty
Successful co-living spaces grow organically through people, not top-down planning
Government-driven projects can struggle when they focus on image over experience
Digital nomads stay for connection, not just accommodation
Small, human details – activities, hosts, atmosphere – make the biggest difference
Building first and hoping people will come is a risky strategy
 
Relevant Links
Nomad Summit: https://nomadsummit.com
Episode produced by RadioGuru: https://radioguru.co.uk

In this second episode of Christoph Huebner's four-part journey through China, we land in Shanghai – a city of 25 million people, towering skylines, and cutting-edge infrastructure.
But beyond the impressive surface, what is it actually like to live here as a foreigner?
Christoph spends a week in Shanghai, staying in a vibrant co-living space called Dweller, where community, creativity, and shared living come together in a way that feels both local and international. He meets the founders, joins events, and quickly finds himself feeling at home.
At the same time, everyday life presents unexpected challenges – from navigating apps that only partly translate to English, to spending hours in a hospital system that simply isn't designed for non-Chinese speakers.
We also hear from Song Ping, who is building a bridge between China and the global nomad movement through a new conference focused on "One Person Companies" – a fast-growing trend among remote workers, creators, and independent entrepreneurs.
This episode offers a nuanced look at Shanghai – a place where innovation and opportunity meet friction and complexity.
 
Key Takeaways
Shanghai is one of the most modern cities in the world, but still not fully adapted to foreign residents
Co-living spaces like Dweller are creating strong, organic communities without focusing specifically on digital nomads
It is possible to feel at home quickly – even in a very different culture
Language remains one of the biggest barriers when navigating daily life in China
Systems like hospitals and apps can be challenging without local support
China's domestic interest in remote work and "One Person Companies" is growing rapidly
New initiatives are emerging to connect Chinese entrepreneurs with the global nomad ecosystem
 
Relevant Links
Nomad Summit: https://nomadsummit.com
Episode produced by RadioGuru: https://radioguru.co.uk

What is it really like to be a digital nomad in China?
In this first episode of a four-part series, Christoph Huebner travels across China to explore what the digital nomad scene actually looks like – starting in Shenzhen, one of the most futuristic cities in the world.
From drone deliveries dropping coffee from the sky to a digital infrastructure where everything just works, Shenzhen feels like a glimpse into the future.
But here's the twist: despite all the innovation, this is not where you'll find a typical digital nomad scene.
Instead, a very different kind of nomad life is emerging – one that challenges everything many remote workers think they know about working and living abroad.
This episode explores what it takes to "unlock" China as a traveler, how daily life works behind the scenes, and why the concept of digital nomadism looks very different here than in the rest of the world.
Key Takeaways
China is far more accessible than many digital nomads assume – once you understand how things work
Shenzhen showcases some of the most advanced everyday technology in the world, including drone deliveries
Many Western apps and tools don't work the same way – adapting is essential
Traditional co-working and nomad hubs are not as prominent in major Chinese cities
A different kind of nomad lifestyle exists in China – often outside the big urban centers
The definition of "digital nomad" in China differs significantly from the Western version
With the right setup, daily life in China can feel smooth, fast, and highly efficient
Relevant Links
Full Blog article to this episode: 
https://nomadsummit.com/episode-45-digital-nomads-in-china-its-not-what-you-think-1-4/
Episode produced by RadioGuru: https://radioguru.co.uk