Final Ultimatum! Global Web3 Chinese are performing a great shift—has your city been abandoned?

In the digital world built on $BTC and $ETH, geographic boundaries have indeed blurred. But long hours in front of screens create a real sense of detachment. For Chinese practitioners, finding warm offline connections is becoming increasingly urgent. This desire is giving rise to a unique network of physical nodes across the globe.

These nodes are not just places to settle; they are carriers of emotion and culture. Online loneliness is alleviated by offline bustling activity, and inspiration truly collides over tea and meals. Below are some major gathering spots; data are rough estimates, heavily influenced by exchange rates, location, and personal consumption habits, for initial reference only.

Domestic areas: the Guangdong-Hong Kong region forms a “golden triangle” of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Huizhou. This is a pragmatic solution developed through practice, balancing international resources, urban convenience, and living costs. The high-speed rail network in the Greater Bay Area makes commuting efficient—Hong Kong to Shenzhen in 30 minutes, Shenzhen to Huizhou in about an hour.

This layout has fostered flexible distributed work modes: business and customer service in Hong Kong, R&D and product teams in Shenzhen, and market and community teams rooted in Huizhou. Hong Kong, with its unique system, is becoming a regional crypto safe haven, serving as a testing ground for traditional finance elites transitioning and for compliance projects. Its status as an air hub also facilitates international summits.

However, the high cost of living and cramped housing reduce long-term happiness. For most developers and operators, Hong Kong feels more like an efficient “business transfer station.” Solo meals cost around $15 USD, and a one-bedroom monthly rent is about $1,800 USD.

Shenzhen boasts a vibrant startup atmosphere; libraries, seaside cafes, and even park bookshops are suitable for remote work. The city combines modern urban efficiency with entrepreneurial vitality. Many Web3 practitioners gather in shared spaces, with weekend activities like meditation, hiking, and cycling.

It offers a more balanced work-life environment. Solo meals cost about $6 USD, and monthly rent is around $700 USD.

Huizhou is a price killer—achieving “villas by the sea” at one-third the cost of the Greater Bay Area. For individuals or teams needing deep work environments, it’s a great choice. The climate is pleasant, and traveling to Shenzhen or Hong Kong for events is convenient. Increasing numbers of practitioners are choosing to settle here after comparison. Solo meals cost about $3 USD, and monthly rent is around $300 USD.

In the Yangtze River Delta, Shanghai, an early city with deep ties to $ETH, was once a project hub with high internationalization and a fast pace, suitable for energetic young people. Shared culture is well-developed, with cafes and creative parks providing community activity spaces.

But with the rise of remote work, Shanghai has experienced some outflow, with many moving to lower-cost, slower-paced cities. Solo meals cost about $7 USD, and monthly rent is around $700 USD.

Hangzhou has active university blockchain research institutions and a strong tech atmosphere, ideal for developers. However, food options are relatively limited. Solo meals cost about $6 USD, and monthly rent is around $420 USD.

The Liangzhu area boasts beautiful natural surroundings and strategic location. Its community ecosystem is unique, often based on friend recommendations, with neighbors calling each other “villagers” and a strong sense of warmth. Solo meals cost about $2.50 USD, and monthly rent is around $200 USD.

Anji is one of the digital nomad bases close to Shanghai and Hangzhou. The DNA Commune, converted from an abandoned bamboo and wood processing factory, offers low-cost, high-quality spaces. DN Yucun, transformed from an idle resort, features over 4,000 square meters of public space. Solo meals cost about $4 USD, and monthly rent is around $300 USD.

Huangshan in Anhui has government-supported digital nomad bases, with low fees—six-person rooms at about 350 RMB per bed per month. But nearby dining options are limited. Solo meals cost about $5 USD, and monthly rent is around $140 USD.

In the southwest, Chengdu, as the digital economy center of the west, has a relatively relaxed policy environment. The Web3 community is small but active, and the livable environment and low costs are major attractions. A bowl of dan dan noodles costs about $2 USD, and monthly rent is around $350 USD.

Dali has long been discovered by digital nomads—low cost, beautiful scenery, slow pace of life. Established office and co-living spaces are common. The climate is pleasant, but some move to Kunming due to infrastructure limitations. Solo meals cost about $1.50 USD, and monthly rent is around $150 USD.

Overseas in Asia, Chiang Mai and Bangkok in Thailand are perennial top choices for digital nomads. The community vibe is relaxed, with low living pressure, suitable for independent developers and small teams. Thailand’s policies toward crypto are gradually opening up. Solo meals range from $3 to $15 USD, and monthly rent is about $700 USD.

Bali is a classic hotspot for digital nomads, known for natural experiences and spiritual nourishment, and is a top choice for team-building projects. Indonesia’s attitude toward digital nomads is relatively lenient. But the influx of tourists has also caused social strains. Solo meals cost about $3 to $15 USD, and monthly rent ranges from $300 to $600 USD.

Kuala Lumpur is friendly for Chinese speakers and cost-effective. The Malaysian government maintains an open regulatory stance on crypto and actively promotes Web3 development. Solo meals cost about $4-5 USD, and monthly rent is around $800 USD.

Vietnam ranks high in global crypto adoption. Da Nang’s climate is more comfortable than Thailand’s. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi also host local Web3 projects. Solo meals cost about $2-4 USD, and monthly rent is around $350-400 USD.

Japan and Korea, once popular choices, now face challenges. Compared to Dubai and Hong Kong, their regulations are uncertain; compared to Southeast Asia, living costs lack competitiveness. As a result, the resident Chinese community is limited, and communities are shifting toward more vertical fields like Japanese NFT and GameFi, or Korean cultural IP. Solo meals cost $10-30 USD, and monthly rent is about $2,000 USD.

Singapore is a special case. Originally friendly policy-wise with a high Chinese population, but last June issued a “expulsion order.” Unlicensed Web3 companies have been gradually leaving. For most practitioners, Singapore is now just a transit point. Solo meals cost about $10-25 USD, and monthly rent is around $2,100 USD.

Middle East and Africa: Dubai, with its open regulatory framework and zero taxes, has attracted many exchange headquarters. Its location and time zone facilitate global business. The number of Chinese working in Dubai has surged. Solo meals cost about $30 USD, and monthly rent is around $2,000 USD.

Istanbul, as the gateway between Europe and Asia, is emerging as a hub. Turkey’s lira inflation has increased local crypto acceptance. For Chinese, low living costs and easy visas are main attractions. Solo meals cost about $10-15 USD, and monthly rent ranges from $500 to $1,000 USD.

Cairo, with extremely low living costs and abundant young tech talent, is becoming an emerging market. As a hub connecting Africa and the Middle East, it offers a foothold into new markets. The Chinese community is small but growing fast. Solo meals cost about $5-10 USD, and monthly rent is around $300-600 USD.

North America: San Francisco and Silicon Valley host many top Web3 projects, VCs, and developers. The Chinese community is mainly tech-oriented and entrepreneurial. But living costs are high. Solo meals cost about $25-30 USD, and monthly rent is $3,000-5,000 USD.

New York, as a global financial hub, excels in Web3 financial innovation and NFT art. The Chinese community has a strong professional network. Regulations are strict, but mature financial systems still attract large projects. Solo meals cost about $20-35 USD, and monthly rent is $3,500-6,000 USD.

Vancouver and Toronto in Canada are key innovation centers. Vancouver has a large Chinese community and is close to Asian time zones. Toronto, where Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin once studied and lived, is known for fintech and academic research. Solo meals cost about $15-20 USD, and monthly rent is $1,500-2,500 USD. Capital gains tax: individuals earning under 250,000 CAD annually pay 50% on the gains.

Europe: London leads in fintech, with an active Chinese community mainly composed of finance professionals. Post-Brexit visa policies have tightened. Solo meals cost about $20-30 USD, and monthly rent is $2,000-3,500 USD.

Lisbon attracts remote workers with its digital nomad visa and favorable tax policies. The climate is mild, and living costs are relatively low. Solo meals cost about $15-25 USD, and monthly rent is $1,000-1,800 USD.

Barcelona, a hub of Web3 innovation in Southern Europe, has an active developer community. Its pleasant climate and friendly visa policies attract many residents. The Chinese community is diverse, spanning tech, art, and more. Solo meals cost about $15-25 USD, and monthly rent is $1,200-2,000 USD.

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