Alternative paths

Five years ago, an article written by a man about buying an apartment in Hegang, a city in Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, for just 50,000 yuan ($6,872.83) went viral. The 33-year-old had moved from Zhoushan in Zhejiang province to find a more affordable living situation.

In recent years, more small cities like Hegang have become popular among young people seeking a low-cost, low-stress alternative to big-city life, including Rushan in Shandong and Yumen in Gansu.

These cities offer more than just affordability; they serve as psychological sanctuaries. Their relaxed lifestyles create a less stressful environment, drawing both permanent settlers and transient residents.

However, it's important to note that the decision to leave big cities isn't about "lying flat", but rather about "recharging" before returning to the pressures of society.

Luan Yang, a Hegang native who returned home after several entrepreneurial ventures in other cities, said he still wanted to try again. "I'm planning to start a business selling farm-fresh produce in my hometown," he said in an interview with China Entrepreneur magazine. "Hegang's agricultural products are abundant and of high quality, and there's a growing demand for organic food from residents in first-tier cities."