Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>The digital nomad lifestyle has become increasingly prevalent since the postpandemic era and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence. Consequently, Digital Nomad Hubs (DNHs) have proliferated extensively throughout China, assuming a growing importance as a strategy for rural tourism. However, the underlying mechanisms through which these DNHs generate localised value remain inadequately theorised. The present study aims to elucidate the operational dynamics of DNHs by employing topic modelling to analyse textual data from the WeChat official accounts of four prominent Chinese DNH brands. The Cultural Web model was subsequently utilised to analyse the structural and cultural forces that drove these DNHs. The findings reveal that DNHs serve as both consumption-driven spaces and Communities of Practice (CoPs) for sociocultural capital accumulation. Ultimately, this research contributes crucial empirical evidence from the Chinese context, enriching the global literature on digital nomadism, the community of practice, and rural revitalisation.</p>