Changzhi, China

Coal is the engine here, full stop. Changzhi built its economic dominance in Shanxi on mining and heavy industry — steel, chemicals, fertilizer production — and topped the province's GDP rankings among all 11 prefecture-level cities as recently as 2011. State-owned enterprises and industrial conglomerates are the major employers. For foreign workers, opportunities are narrow: English teaching at schools or training centers is the realistic path in, with monthly salaries typically ranging from ¥8,000–¥15,000 ($1,100–$2,100). Remote workers can live cheaply here, but don't expect a startup ecosystem.

A one-bedroom apartment in the urban core runs roughly ¥1,500–¥2,500/month ($210–$350), making it genuinely cheap by any standard. Local transport is bus-dependent; taxis and DiDi work but English-language support is minimal. Changzhi Wangcun Airport connects to major Chinese cities, which matters when you need to leave. Mandarin is non-negotiable — English proficiency is low even among younger residents. Healthcare exists at city hospitals, but navigating it without fluent Mandarin or a local contact is genuinely difficult. Air quality is a real concern given the industrial base; check AQI before committing.

Winters are cold and dry, dropping to -4.7°C in January, while summers are warm and manageable at 22.5°C. The surrounding Taihang Mountains offer serious hiking and some dramatic scenery that most outsiders never discover. Local food leans heavily on Shanxi noodle traditions — hand-pulled noodles, vinegar-braised dishes — which is excellent if you adapt. The expat community is small enough that you'll likely know every foreigner in town within a month. Weekends mean mountains, local markets, or a train to Xi'an or Beijing for a reset. This city suits self-sufficient remote workers or teachers who want ultra-low costs and don't need an expat social bubble to feel grounded.