Nanjing, China

Capital City

Nanjing punches above its weight for a Chinese city outside the Beijing-Shanghai-Shenzhen axis. As the capital of Jiangsu province, it’s got the infrastructure and academic clout of a major hub without the chaos or costs of Shanghai. The city’s 68 universities and research institutions make it a magnet for academics and scientists, with Nanjing University ranking among the world’s top 10 for research output.

Daily life here is manageable but not frictionless. The Yangtze River Delta location means humid summers and chilly winters, and while rents are low ($300 for a central one-bedroom), navigating Chinese bureaucracy can test your patience. The city’s safety record is solid, though pollution spikes in winter. For expats in Nanjing, the key is leveraging its academic and research opportunities while accepting the quirks of life in a second-tier Chinese city.

Nanjing works best for researchers, academics, and FIRE types who want urban amenities without Shanghai prices. It’s not ideal for those allergic to bureaucracy or craving a cosmopolitan expat scene.