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China's small towns thrive as more opt out of demanding megacity life

As an economic downturn in China’s biggest cities prompts layoffs and competition for remaining posts, many are finding a better quality of life elsewhere.

Zhao Xiaowei did what would have been unthinkable just a few years ago: He quit his Beijing barista job and returned to his northeastern rust-belt hometown for a better future. Tired of struggling to eke out a living in the nation’s overpriced capital, the 25-year-old is now earning more money running his own boutique cafe, serving up drip coffee made with high-grade Geisha beans for 60 yuan ($8.30) a cup. "I’m close to my family and there’s a hot meal for me when I get home,” Zhao said after making the move back to Dandong last June.

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