In this second episode of Christoph Huebner's four-part journey through China, we land in Shanghai – a city of 25 million people, towering skylines, and cutting-edge infrastructure.

But beyond the impressive surface, what is it actually like to live here as a foreigner?

Christoph spends a week in Shanghai, staying in a vibrant co-living space called Dweller, where community, creativity, and shared living come together in a way that feels both local and international. He meets the founders, joins events, and quickly finds himself feeling at home.

At the same time, everyday life presents unexpected challenges – from navigating apps that only partly translate to English, to spending hours in a hospital system that simply isn't designed for non-Chinese speakers.

We also hear from Song Ping, who is building a bridge between China and the global nomad movement through a new conference focused on "One Person Companies" – a fast-growing trend among remote workers, creators, and independent entrepreneurs.

This episode offers a nuanced look at Shanghai – a place where innovation and opportunity meet friction and complexity.

Key Takeaways

• Shanghai is one of the most modern cities in the world, but still not fully adapted to foreign residents
• Co-living spaces like Dweller are creating strong, organic communities without focusing specifically on digital nomads
• It is possible to feel at home quickly – even in a very different culture
• Language remains one of the biggest barriers when navigating daily life in China
• Systems like hospitals and apps can be challenging without local support
• China's domestic interest in remote work and "One Person Companies" is growing rapidly
• New initiatives are emerging to connect Chinese entrepreneurs with the global nomad ecosystem

Relevant Links

• Nomad Summit: https://nomadsummit.com
• Episode produced by RadioGuru: https://radioguru.co.uk