Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi Province, is known for its rich history, being one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 12 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed of 60 Mbps, reliable for remote work. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 CNY ≈ 0.14 USD; major banks include ICBC and China Construction Bank. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable; bottled water is widely available. |
| 🔌 Power | 220V, 50Hz, Type A/C plugs commonly used. |
| 📶 SIM Card | China Unicom and China Mobile have good prepaid options for visitors. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Alipay and WeChat Pay are widely accepted, along with credit cards at major retailers. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from hostels to apartments on Airbnb and local rental sites like Beike. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, strong cashless payment culture. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and short-term rentals through local platforms are popular. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel options include Han Tang Inn and Xi'an City Central Youth Hostel. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Bell Tower area is central and close to major attractions. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | The South Gate area, known for its cafes and coworking spaces. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Xian Co-Working Space located in the Yanta District offers great facilities. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafe de la Paix near the city wall is known for its atmosphere and Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetups in Xi'an usually organized on platforms like Meetup.com, focusing on language exchange and entrepreneurship. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Xi'an Expats WeChat group is active for social gatherings and events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Didi is the most popular ride-hailing app in Xi'an. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Mobike and other bike-sharing apps are available for rent throughout the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | No beach, but Huashan mountain is a popular outdoor destination nearby. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | China Eastern Airlines operates frequent flights from Xi'an. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Air China provides international flights from Xi'an Xianyang International Airport. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Major highways such as G30 and G65 connect Xi'an with nearby cities. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Xi'an North Railway Station connects to major cities via high-speed trains. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Metro passes are available for daily use; a single ride costs around 2-6 CNY. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains and long-distance buses are effective means to travel to nearby cities. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Xi'an Jiao Tong University first affiliated hospital is the top-rated facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Himalaya Yoga Studio offers classes for all levels. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Anytime Fitness has locations throughout the city. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Local laundromats available, such as Xiangshan Laundry in Yanta District. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Meituan and Ele.me dominate the food delivery market. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Biang Biang noodles are a must-try, famous for their hand-pulled nature. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Vegetarian restaurants like Loving Hut offer diverse options. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Aiyu Jelly in the Muslim Quarter is known for its delicious snacks. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Local markets such as Huimin Street offer inexpensive street food. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Taobao and JD.com are popular for online shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Fresh Hippo app provides grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The Old City area has several bars popular with expats. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Guinness in Xi'an offers local brewery tours. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Pulp Fiction Wine Bar is a cozy spot to sample wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | The Muslim Quarter is renowned for its vibrant street food scene. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Pizza Hut and other chains offer international dining options. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Terracotta Army and the Ancient City Wall are essential visits. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Shaanxi History Museum showcases ancient artifacts. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Big Wild Goose Pagoda is a significant Buddhist site. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Great Mosque of Xi'an reflects the city's Islamic heritage. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Xi'an City Wall Lantern Festival occurs every January. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Muslim Quarter is a vibrant cultural hub. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Shaanxi Grand Theatre hosts various performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Xi'an Antique Market offers traditional goods. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Local music bars in the Old Town hold regular events. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Various murals can be found in the city center. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Xi'an Cooking School provides workshops focused on local cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Xi'an Art Museum showcases modern Chinese art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Ancient City Gate buildings reflect the city's Ming Dynasty past. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The city has a rich history tied to the Silk Road. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Chang'an District contains beautiful parks and scenic areas. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Qinling Mountain Range offers stunning hiking opportunities. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | City wall cycling path is a popular route for both locals and tourists. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Yuanjia Village provides picturesque rural scenery. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The wetlands near the city are good for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Some parks allow bonfires with prior permissions. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | SF Express and China Post offer reliable shipping options. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Electronics markets in the city center have various service providers. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Public parks often have table tennis facilities available for use. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Mandarin classes are available at Xi'an Language School. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Xi'an Library has a great collection of resources for students. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Several cultural centers host events for the expat community. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Internet cafes are prevalent in many neighborhoods. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Gambling is not legal in Xi'an, but local gaming centers offer arcade games. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥22,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ¥880,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥18,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ¥720,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥25,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ¥1,500,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥20,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ¥1,200,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥28,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ¥2,240,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥22,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ¥1,760,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25% standard corporate tax rate. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 10% on dividends. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Progressive tax system based on residency. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% for the highest earners. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard rate of 13%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, there are regulations in place. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax based on property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 3% tax on property purchases. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | China does not have residency-based taxes allowing some expats to explore tax optimization strategies. |