Zhangjiakou, a city in Hebei Province about 200 kilometers northwest of Beijing, is the focus of the third season of CGTN’s travel series Village Voyage, in which host Julian Waghann and Mexican traveler Juan Carlos Cheang Guzmán explore how rural communities are forging new paths. The season, which highlights the intersection of tradition and modernity in the Chinese countryside, underscores the broader significance of rural revitalization efforts in China and their potential to reshape perceptions of rural life.
The series takes viewers beyond iconic landmarks into the daily rhythms of villages. In Chongli, host of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, the mountains have become a year-round outdoor destination. “Winter is for skiing, but summer opens up a whole new world,” said a local outdoor guide. Since the Olympics, residents have developed activities like mountain biking, trail running, hiking, and camping. Julian and Juan participate in the Chongli 168 Ultra-Trail Race, where thousands of runners surge forward. “Mountains don’t have borders,” Juan said. “The urge to run and challenge yourself in the wild is something we share, whether in Latin America or here.”
In Yugouliang Village, on a high plateau in northern Zhangjiakou, a distinctive form of outdoor yoga has emerged from farm life. “Our yoga comes from farm work,” one villager explained. “It is part of how we live.” Julian and Juan first make youmian, a local oat staple, then practice yoga in the fields alongside residents. “This feels familiar,” Juan reflected. “No matter where we are, people want the same things – health, peace, security and a life that feels full.” The village presents a rural China that is not frozen in the past but has found a new sense of well-being.
Yuxian, in southern Zhangjiakou, is known for historic settlements and folk arts. Its architecture inspired locations in the hit game Black Myth: Wukong. Yuxian paper-cutting, a traditional craft, is passed down through generations. “Paper-cutting came from everyday people,” said a master. “It used to decorate farmhouse windows. Now it reaches the wider world.” Julian and Juan try their hand at paper-cutting, experiencing how heritage remains part of daily existence.
Desheng Village demonstrates how rural communities are embracing the future. Solar panels stretch across the land, and modern greenhouses use temperature-controlled precision. “We used to depend heavily on the weather,” one villager said. “Now technology and sunlight give us new hope.” Julian and Juan pick ripe tomatoes and cucumbers, seeing how clean energy revenue funds schools, roads, and public spaces. A bonfire gathering in the village square highlights the close-knit community spirit.
For a new generation of travelers, immersive experiences offer a fuller picture of rural China. Zhangjiakou’s countryside is diverse: Chongli’s mountains pulse with year-round energy; Yugouliang’s fields offer a slower rhythm; Yuxian’s ancient villages keep traditions alive; and Desheng shows how clean energy and modern agriculture create opportunities. As tradition and innovation coexist, visitors leave with a deeper understanding of the people and the future they are building.
