Wise Logo
Wise (formerly TransferWise) is a trusted money transfer service used by millions of digital nomads worldwide.

Send money abroad cheaper than banks.

Affiliate disclosure

Chengdu, China 🇨🇳
#32 ,

Nomad Score: 62%

💰 Cost & Affordability

💸 Cost of Living
71% Weight: 150
Chengdu offers a relatively low cost of living compared to other major Chinese cities and global metropolises, making it affordable for digital nomads.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
68% Weight: 80
Rental prices are reasonable, especially for shared apartments or studios, though central locations can be pricier.
🍎 Food & Groceries
85% Weight: 40
Local markets and street food are very affordable; groceries are cheaper than in Western countries.
🚌 Transportation Cost
89% Weight: 20
Public transport is inexpensive, with extensive metro and bus networks at low fares.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
74% Weight: 15
Entertainment options like cinemas, bars, and cultural events are affordable but can vary by venue.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
62% Weight: 10
Gyms are moderately priced; international chains are more expensive than local gyms.
💱 Currency Stability
53% Weight: 30
The Chinese Yuan is relatively stable but subject to government controls and occasional fluctuations.

💻 Digital Nomad Essentials

🚀 Internet Speed
67% Weight: 100
Good speeds in urban areas, but international bandwidth can be slower and subject to restrictions.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
70% Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces exist, especially in central business districts, but fewer than in tier-1 cities.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
78% Weight: 30
Many cafes offer WiFi, though connection quality varies and can be affected by government censorship.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
65% Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to remote workers, but overall fewer dedicated nomad-friendly spots compared to other Asian hubs.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
42% Weight: 100
Chengdu is less popular among digital nomads compared to cities like Bangkok or Bali.

🌟 Quality of Life

⚖️ Work-Life Balance
69% Weight: 30
Generally good work-life balance with plenty of leisure options and a slower pace than bigger Chinese cities.
🌳 Environmental Quality
41% Weight: 15
Air pollution can be moderate to high, especially in winter months, impacting overall environmental quality.
🧼 Cleanliness
60% Weight: 10
Public areas are fairly clean, though some neighborhoods may have litter and less maintenance.
🗨️ Language Barrier
37% Weight: 30
Limited English proficiency outside tourist areas; Mandarin is essential for daily life.
💨 Air Quality
39% Weight: 15
Air pollution is a concern, with PM2.5 levels often exceeding WHO recommendations.

🏥 Healthcare

🏥 Healthcare Quality
73% Weight: 20
Good quality hospitals and clinics, especially private ones, but variable standards in public facilities.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
78% Weight: 25
Healthcare services are affordable compared to Western countries, with low consultation and medication costs.
🏥 Healthcare
75% Weight: 20
Overall healthcare system is adequate for most needs, with access to modern treatments in urban centers.

🌿 Climate & Environment

☀️ Weather
64% Weight: 80
Mild subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters; some humidity and rainy season in summer.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
79% Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters; occasional earthquakes but generally safe.
🏞️ Green Spaces
67% Weight: 10
Several parks and green areas available, including famous cultural gardens and city parks.
❄️ Air Conditioning
72% Weight: 15
Widely available in homes, offices, and public spaces, essential during hot summers.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
58% Weight: 10
Four distinct seasons but mild winters and hot, humid summers with rainy periods.

🎭 Culture & Entertainment

🎭 Culture
86% Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with unique Sichuan cuisine, opera, tea culture, and historical sites.
🌃 Nightlife
63% Weight: 15
Vibrant nightlife with bars, clubs, and teahouses, though less international than bigger cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
75% Weight: 15
Close to natural attractions like mountains and parks; good opportunities for hiking and day trips.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60% Weight: 10
Many Mandarin language schools and informal learning opportunities available.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
79% Weight: 10
Abundant local tours focusing on culture, cuisine, and nature, including panda reserves.
🎳 Indoors Fun
68% Weight: 10
Shopping malls, cinemas, museums, and cultural centers provide indoor entertainment options.

🍎 Food & Fitness

🍽️ Food Scene
91% Weight: 25
World-renowned Sichuan cuisine with diverse street food and restaurants; a major highlight.
🧠 Yoga Studios
54% Weight: 10
Limited number of yoga studios compared to other Asian cities, but growing interest.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
61% Weight: 15
Gyms and fitness centers available, though not as widespread or modern as in tier-1 cities.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
70% Weight: 15
Healthy options exist but Sichuan cuisine is often spicy and oily; fresh produce markets are common.

💼 Work Environment

🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
55% Weight: 20
UTC+8 timezone is favorable for Asia-Pacific but less so for Europe and Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
58% Weight: 25
Some networking events and expat communities, but smaller scale than major global hubs.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
41% Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; most digital nomads rely on international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
43% Weight: 20
Freelance ecosystem is nascent with few local platforms; international freelancing is common.
🏢 Coworking Quality
65% Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are functional with decent amenities but fewer premium options.

📈 Business & Economy

🚀 Startup Scene
57% Weight: 15
Growing startup ecosystem focused on tech and innovation, but smaller than Beijing or Shenzhen.
💳 Local Payment Services
79% Weight: 10
Widespread use of mobile payments like Alipay and WeChat Pay, very convenient locally.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
32% Weight: 15
China's strict regulations limit crypto adoption; blockchain tech is promoted but crypto trading is restricted.

🚆 Transportation

✈️ Airport Connectivity
74% Weight: 30
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport offers good domestic and some international connections.
🚇 Public Transit
83% Weight: 20
Extensive metro and bus networks with affordable fares and good coverage.
🚶 Walkability
69% Weight: 20
City center is walkable with pedestrian-friendly streets, though some areas are car-centric.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
76% Weight: 15
Popular ride-hailing apps like Didi are widely used and reliable.
🚲 Cycling
64% Weight: 10
Bike-sharing is common, but cycling infrastructure is moderate and traffic can be heavy.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
81% Weight: 15
High-speed rail and frequent flights connect Chengdu to major Chinese cities efficiently.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
70% Weight: 10
Electric scooter and bike rentals are available but less prevalent than in some other Asian cities.

📡 Connectivity

📱 Mobile Network Coverage
80% Weight: 20
Strong 4G and expanding 5G coverage throughout the city and suburbs.
🔒 VPN Reliability
35% Weight: 20
VPN use is restricted and often unreliable due to government censorship and firewall.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
85% Weight: 15
Stable and reliable electricity supply with rare outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
62% Weight: 10
Public WiFi is available in cafes and some public spaces but can be slow and insecure.

⚖️ Legal & Administrative

🛂 Visa Ease
38% Weight: 40
Visa process is strict and often requires invitations or business justification; limited tourist visa duration.
📊 Tax Friendliness
40% Weight: 30
Tax system is complex for foreigners; no special digital nomad tax incentives.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
21% Weight: 15
Strict government controls on speech and internet; limited freedom compared to Western countries.
🏛️ Political Stability
78% Weight: 20
Stable political environment with strong government control.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
45% Weight: 15
Opening bank accounts as a foreigner can be bureaucratic and requires residence permits.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
50% Weight: 10
Business registration is possible but involves complex procedures and local partnerships.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0% Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available in China.

🌍 Digital Nomad Community

🌍 Nomad Friendly
43% Weight: 50
Limited infrastructure and legal framework for digital nomads; more suitable for adventurous individuals.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
39% Weight: 25
Few organized nomad meetups or events; expat groups exist but are small.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
51% Weight: 20
Moderate online presence with some forums and social media groups focused on Chengdu expats.

🛡️ Safety & Tolerance

🛡️ Safety
79% Weight: 100
Generally safe city with low violent crime rates; petty theft can occur.
♀️ Female Friendly
60% Weight: 50
Safe for women but cultural differences and language barriers may pose challenges.
✊ Racial Tolerance
52% Weight: 50
Moderate tolerance; foreigners are generally accepted but occasional discrimination reported.

Feedback Thank You!

Thank you!

Your feedback has been submitted successfully.