Village Voyage: Where northern China’s countryside finds new rhythms

In the third season of Village Voyage, US host Julian Waghann and Mexican traveler Juan Carlos Cheang Guzmán ventured into Zhangjiakou, a city in Hebei Province, 200 kilometers northwest of Beijing. The city, known for its mountains, highlands, and vibrant outdoor culture, is emerging as a distinctive destination in northern China.

This season of Village Voyage took the international travelers beyond the city's famous landmarks and into the countryside, where they engaged in traditional crafts, shared meals with locals, and discovered a different side of rural China.

The mountains of Chongli, once known for their snow-covered slopes, are now a year-round outdoor destination. Local residents have begun exploring activities like mountain biking, trail running, hiking, and camping. Julian and Juan experienced this firsthand, pedaling along forest trails and participating in the Chongli 168 Ultra-Trail Race, which drew a large crowd of runners.

In Yugouliang Village, nestled on a high plateau, the residents practice a unique form of outdoor yoga that has evolved from their daily farming routines. The villagers find stillness amidst the open fields, stretching and breathing as they weave yoga into the fabric of their lives. Julian and Juan joined the residents in the fields, making youmian, a local oat-based staple, and practicing yoga together.

Yugouliang Village is an example of rural China's changing dynamics – no longer frozen in the past, but thriving with a new sense of well-being. Meanwhile, Yuxian, located in the southern part of Zhangjiakou, showcases the preservation of traditional architecture and folk arts. Its paper-cutting tradition, inspired by everyday people, has gained popularity in modern games like Black Myth: Wukong.

Desheng Village, situated in the highland farming region, represents the future of rural development. By embracing modern agriculture and solar power, Desheng has transformed its landscape and improved the quality of life for its residents. The modern greenhouses, powered by clean energy, yield a bountiful harvest, thanks to technology that no longer depends on unpredictable weather.

The financial benefits of clean energy flow back into the community, funding essential services like schools, roads, and public spaces. Around the village square, the visitors witnessed a celebration of rural life – music, laughter, and conversation, all fueled by the energy of the community.

Village Voyage reveals a rural China that is more than just a collection of landscapes and lifestyles. Chongli's mountains pulse with energy, Yugouliang's fields offer a slower, more harmonious rhythm, Yuxian's ancient villages maintain the rich traditions of the past, and Desheng's modern innovations pave the way for a sustainable future. Here, tradition and innovation coexist in harmony within the same villages, where ancient skills can find new audiences.