Zhangjiakou, a city in Hebei Province about 200 kilometers northwest of Beijing, has long been known for its mountains and highlands, but the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics brought it global attention. Now, the third season of CGTN's Village Voyage takes viewers beyond the ski slopes to explore how rural communities are forging new identities. Host Julian Waghann from the United States and Mexican traveler Juan Carlos Cheang Guzmán journey through the region, discovering a countryside that is far from static.
In Chongli, the mountains that hosted Olympic events are transforming into a year-round outdoor playground. "Winter is for skiing, but summer opens up a whole new world," a local guide says. Since the Olympics, residents have developed activities like mountain biking, trail running, hiking, and camping. The hosts 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 signals a broader trend: rural areas leveraging global events to build sustainable, diversified economies.
In Yugouliang Village, on a high plateau, yoga has grown organically from farm life. "Our yoga comes from farm work," a villager explains. "It is part of how we live." Unlike urban wellness trends, this practice is rooted in the rhythms of planting and harvesting. Julian and Juan make youmian, a local oat staple, then join residents for yoga in the fields. Juan reflects, "No matter where we are, people want the same things – health, peace, security and a life that feels full." The village offers a counter-narrative to stereotypes of rural decline, showing a community that has found its own path to 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 cherished tradition, is passed down through generations. "Paper-cutting came from everyday people," a master says. "It used to decorate farmhouse windows. Now it reaches the wider world." The hosts try their hand at the craft, experiencing how heritage remains embedded in daily life rather than confined to museums. This integration of tradition into contemporary culture is crucial for preserving local identity amid rapid change.
Desheng Village exemplifies how clean energy and modern agriculture are reshaping rural economies. Rows of solar panels stretch across the land, while beneath them, temperature-controlled greenhouses produce tomatoes and cucumbers. "We used to depend heavily on the weather," a villager says. "Now technology and sunlight give us new hope." Revenue from clean energy funds schools, roads, and public spaces. A bonfire gathering reveals a close-knit community spirit persisting alongside modernization. This model demonstrates how rural areas can embrace innovation without losing their social fabric.
For a new generation of travelers, immersive experiences like those in Village Voyage offer a more complete picture of rural China. Zhangjiakou's countryside is diverse: Chongli's mountains pulse with energy, Yugouliang's fields offer calm, Yuxian preserves heritage, and Desheng showcases sustainable development. Tradition and innovation coexist, proving that rural life is not a relic but a dynamic frontier. As Juan notes, the journey leaves visitors with a deeper understanding of the people and the future they are building together.
