Authors:
Jingyi Lou, Yonsei University, South Korea
Hyun-Kyung Lee, Yonsei University, South Korea
Email: [email protected]
Published: July 8, 2025
https://doi.org/10.22492/ijcs.10.1.05
Citation: Yonsei, J. L., & Lee, H.-K. (2025). A Preliminary Exploration of Chinese Digital Nomads’ Life and Workstyle. IAFOR Journal of Cultural Studies, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.22492/ijcs.10.1.05
Abstract
The rise of digital nomadism, driven by technological advancements, has redefined work and lifestyle flexibility. While much of the existing research focuses on Western contexts, the experiences of Chinese digital nomads remain underexplored. This study fills the gap by examining the workstyle and lifestyle of 15 Chinese digital nomads aged 23 to 34 years old, all of whom are well-educated, financially independent, and maintain a digital nomadic lifestyle. The study uncovers two key findings that contrast with Western experiences. First, participants pursue this new lifestyle while facing familial resistance rooted in traditional Confucian values, which emphasize stability and family proximity. Despite this, they actively seek a family bond and a sense of home within their mobile lifestyle, creating a tension between the desire for freedom and the longing for familial bonds. Second, despite engaging in nomadic behaviors, participants lack understanding of the concept of digital nomad, unlike their Western counterparts who tend to have a clearer sense of identity. The predominance of Western-centric perspectives on digital nomadism has not been fully expanded into the Chinese context. The study contributes to a broader understanding of digital nomadism workstyle and lifestyle in non-Western cultural contexts.
Keywords
Chinese digital nomad, digital nomad, digital nomadism, remote work