Sichuan's capital attracts more people from around the world to settle down, thanks to its focus on work-life balance, culture, and kindness, report Peng Chao and Zhao Junfeng in Chengdu.
When Lutz Pluemer retired and left Germany for China in 2018, his colleagues joked: "Don't get lost." He never expected to find a home in Chengdu, Sichuan province, a city that would redefine his understanding of progress and belonging.
The 74-year-old international dean of Southwest Jiaotong University describes Sichuan's capital — named one of China's happiest cities for 17 consecutive years by Oriental Outlook magazine — as vibrant, welcoming, and endlessly surprising.
"The people here embody a rare balance: fiercely hardworking yet always making time for life's joys, whether sharing hot pot with colleagues or strolling through People's Park," he says.
Pluemer's favorite place is Taikoo Li Chengdu, a major shopping and lifestyle center where the ancient Daci Temple stands alongside international luxury boutiques.
He often orders a cappuccino at the Temple House hotel while his Chinese colleague drinks tea. There, Buddhist monks in traditional robes walk by, followed by modern young influencers live-streaming on the latest Xiaomi smartphones.
"This scene, where centuries come together effortlessly — that's Chengdu for me," says Pluemer.
What impresses him equally is Chengdu's 100-kilometer Greenway Loop, a green belt built alongside the Fourth Ring Road for cyclists, runners, and selfie-takers.
"I've cycled its entire length several times, and every trip reveals new wonders," he says, praising Chengdu's visionary spirit in building green mobility infrastructure.
The 100-km greenway is part of the Tianfu Greenway system, a network planned to be one of the longest of its kind in the world, spanning 16,930 kilometers by 2035.
Don Benton, an American who also calls Chengdu home, values something else: the city's unique culture — and, above all, its people.
The 65-year-old arrived in 2007 to build and manage an aircraft precision bearing plant. He recalls there were many options across China, but Chengdu stood out especially for its innovative people and rich culture, which set it apart from other cities.
"People here like to have fun, but work hard when needed, and always find better ways to do things," he says.
After years in Chengdu, Benton says what moves him most is the kindness of its people. "Most people are kind, considerate, and attentive, always willing to help without expecting anything in return," he says.
That kindness was fully demonstrated during a hospital visit earlier this year.
On January 11, struck by severe back pain that left him barely able to walk, Benton was rushed to West China Hospital of Sichuan University by a friend of his Chinese wife's family — a man he had never met — who even arranged a wheelchair waiting at the hospital.
Thanks to the professional and attentive care of doctors and staff, he recovered quickly and was discharged in 12 days.
For Benton, it's no surprise that Chengdu continues to be listed among the happiest cities, as helping and giving to others makes people happy.
Benton enjoys exploring the city and its cultural sites, meeting friends at its countless restaurants and bars, or relaxing in a bamboo chair at a traditional teahouse.
Despite the dramatic changes brought by urban development, Benton says Chengdu remains a place where people want to live. He has lifelong friends from around the world who arrived even earlier and are still there.
For Yang Hao, a 38-year-old entrepreneur from Zhejiang province, Chengdu is a place where both his business and family can thrive.
Drawn by the city's solid industrial base and favorable policies, Yang brought his hydrogen energy startup, Qinglv Technology, to Chengdu in 2023.
Today, his company has deployed 11,000 hydrogen-powered shared bicycles in Xindu district, accumulating over 550,000 registered users — a rare case of large-scale commercial operation in the sector.
Yang attributes his company's rapid market entry to the local government's willingness to let them pilot their innovations and the dynamic consumer market. "In other cities, the streets probably go quiet by 8 or 9 PM. Here, orders keep coming in at midnight," he says.
Yang notes that his generation values quality of life over an endless grind, making the city's comfortable lifestyle a major draw for many.
"The diversity of culinary offerings, stunning natural scenery, and rich cultural heritage help relieve stress," he says.
During the Spring Festival holidays, Yang's family visited him and toured the city and its surroundings. His wife was so impressed by the strong sense of happiness that she decided to move there with their 9-year-old daughter and Yang's parents.
Xi Yue, co-founder and president of Beijing-based robotics startup Robotera, shares a similar sentiment.
"Life shouldn't be just about work. Chengdu's solid work-life balance makes it particularly attractive to young people," says Xi. "Given that cutting-edge fields like AI and embodied intelligence are dominated by young talent, that's a huge advantage."
Recognizing the city's growth potential, Robotera has established its first branch here, with robots already in use at several museums.
Chengdu's permanent population has grown by more than 5 million over the past decade, reaching over 21 million by early 2025, according to official data.
Tan Jihe, a researcher at the Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences, traces the Chengdu-style happy life back to its cultural roots.
"The millennia-old tradition of living in harmony with nature, a carefree attitude toward life, and an enduring aspiration for happiness have sustained Chengdu's unique character and charm throughout the centuries," he says.
