Anshun, China

Tourism and resource extraction split the economic weight here. Huangguoshu Waterfall alone draws millions of domestic Chinese tourists annually, supporting hotels, transport operators, and a growing hospitality sector. Coal mining and power generation remain significant employers in the surrounding counties, though Beijing's environmental pressure is slowly squeezing that sector. For foreign workers, formal job opportunities are essentially nonexistent outside of English teaching — and even that market is thin compared to Guiyang or Chengdu. Remote workers can function here, but don't expect a local professional network.

A decent one-bedroom apartment in the city center runs roughly ¥1,200–1,800/month ($165–$250 USD), making it genuinely cheap even by Chinese inland standards. Local food costs almost nothing — a full meal at a street stall is ¥15–25. Public buses cover the city adequately, and high-speed rail connects to Guiyang in under an hour. Healthcare is available at Anshun People's Hospital, but English-speaking staff are rare to nonexistent — bring a translator app and patience. Bureaucracy for residence permits requires trips to Guiyang for anything complex, which is a recurring friction point.

Winters are grey, damp, and cold enough to be genuinely uncomfortable — 4.5°C average in January with persistent humidity that cuts through you. Summers are mild and green, which is the city's best season. Food leans heavily on Guizhou's famously spicy, sour cuisine — excellent if you adapt, punishing if you don't. The expat community is effectively zero; you will be a curiosity, not part of a scene. Weekends mean hiking to waterfalls, exploring cave systems, or taking the train to Guiyang for urban amenities. This city suits a specific type: a budget-focused remote worker or retiree who genuinely wants immersion in southwestern Chinese culture with zero expat scaffolding.