As the first batch of 12 digital nomads from home and abroad begin to settle in, the Shanghai Caojing Digital Nomad International Village in the city's suburban Jinshan district opened on Aug 31, providing the youths with a laid-back and inspiring atmosphere for work and life.

Digital nomads refer to those who are involved in remote working through the internet and break the binding relationship between work and the work location, said Li Yanning, founder and CEO of Vision and Village, a Beijing-based cultural development firm, with which Jinshan district's Caojing town joined hands to develop the village project.

"They use their laptops and smartphones to work, and can work and live in a place with the most desirable environment or where the cost of living is low," said Li.

"So we aimed to build the village into a demonstration area for realizing such a lifestyle, where digital nomads can start their businesses, work, study, and make friends in such a leisure, watery environment while taking a vacation here," he said, adding that the village has received applications from more than 200 digital nomads.

The project is built in Shuiku village, where streams take up 40 percent of the space and are home to more than 70 islets. Digital nomads can enjoy the tranquility and freedom of nature after work.

Li Ruyan, one of the digital nomads, said that she enjoys working in a wooden boat drifting on the stream.

"I can work while enjoying the natural beauty and chatting with the other digital nomads here. This is a very different experience from what people usually have inside offices. I'll have more inspiration for work in such a surrounding," she said.

The village said it provides a full range of life-supporting services, including accommodation, catering, fitness, and entertainment, for digital nomads. They can row boats, cycle in the forest, and enjoy camping and barbecues.