Zhangjiakou, a city in Hebei Province about 200 kilometers northwest of Beijing, has long been known for its mountains and outdoor culture, further boosted by the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. But a new season of CGTN's Village Voyage is shining a light on a different aspect of the region: its evolving rural life. Host Julian Waghann from the United States and Mexican traveler Juan Carlos Cheang Guzmán journey across Zhangjiakou to discover how its land and people are creating new possibilities for rural communities. The series, now in its third season, takes viewers beyond famous landmarks and into the countryside, where international travelers immerse themselves in local life, from farming to crafts to shared meals. This matters because it challenges outdated perceptions of rural China as stagnant or left behind, showing instead dynamic communities that are adapting and thriving.
In Chongli, the mountains that hosted the Winter Olympics are becoming a year-round destination. Once known primarily for skiing, they now attract outdoor enthusiasts for mountain biking, trail running, hiking, and camping. "Winter is for skiing, but summer opens up a whole new world," a local guide says. Julian and Juan pedal along forest trails and witness the Chongli 168 Ultra-Trail Race, where thousands of runners surge forward. For Juan, the scene resonates: "Mountains don't have borders. The urge to run and challenge yourself in the wild is something we share, whether in Latin America or here." This shift demonstrates how Olympic infrastructure can have a lasting legacy, fostering local economies and promoting active lifestyles beyond the winter months.
In Yugouliang Village, on a high plateau, a distinctive form of outdoor yoga has emerged from farm work. Villagers stretch and breathe between planting and harvesting, finding stillness in the fields. Julian and Juan join in, first making youmian, a local oat staple, before spreading mats on the earth. "This feels familiar," Juan reflects. "No matter where we are, people want the same things – health, peace, security and a life that feels full." Yugouliang presents a rural China that is not frozen in the past but has found its own rhythm and a new sense of well-being.
Yuxian, in southern Zhangjiakou, is known for its historic settlements and folk arts, some of which inspired locations in the hit game Black Myth: Wukong. Paper-cutting, a tradition passed down through generations, is still practiced. "Paper-cutting came from everyday people," a master says. "It used to decorate farmhouse windows. Now it reaches the wider world." Julian and Juan try their hand at the craft, experiencing how heritage remains part of daily life rather than sealed behind glass.
Desheng Village showcases how rural communities are embracing the future. Solar panels stretch across the land, and modern greenhouses use temperature-controlled precision to grow crops. "We used to depend heavily on the weather," a villager says. "Now technology and sunlight give us new hope." The visitors pick ripe tomatoes and cucumbers, learning how clean energy revenue funds schools, roads, and public spaces. A bonfire gathering reveals a close-knit community spirit amid change.
For a new generation of travelers, immersive experiences like these offer a more complete picture of rural China. Zhangjiakou's countryside is not defined by a single landscape but by diversity: Chongli's year-round energy, Yugouliang's slow rhythm, Yuxian's living heritage, and Desheng's sustainable innovation. Tradition and innovation coexist, showing that rural areas can adapt while preserving their identity. As visitors step into village life, they gain a deeper understanding of the people, traditions, and futures being built together. This season of Village Voyage underscores that rural China is not a monolith but a tapestry of stories, each contributing to a broader narrative of progress and resilience. For more information, visit CGTN.
