Zhangjiakou, a city in Hebei Province some 200 kilometers northwest of Beijing, has long been known for its mountains and outdoor culture, boosted by the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. But the third season of CGTN's Village Voyage takes viewers beyond the city's famous landmarks and into its countryside, where international travelers Julian Waghann and Juan Carlos Cheang Guzmán discover a rural China that is dynamic, diverse, and evolving. The series, which premiered on September 13, 2026, highlights how local communities are creating new possibilities for rural life, offering a counter-narrative to outdated perceptions of rural stagnation.
In Chongli, the mountains that hosted the Winter Olympics are now a year-round destination for outdoor activities. "Winter is for skiing, but summer opens up a whole new world," said a local outdoor guide. Since the Olympics, residents have unlocked the hills' potential for mountain biking, trail running, hiking, and camping. 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 from seasonal ski destination to year-round playground signals a sustainable tourism model that could be replicated in other post-Olympic regions.
In Yugouliang Village, on a high plateau, 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 make youmian, a local oat staple, then practice yoga in the fields alongside residents. Juan reflects, "No matter where we are, people want the same things – health, peace, security and a life that feels full." This organic wellness trend, rooted in agricultural rhythms rather than urban gyms, challenges the commercialization of wellness and highlights rural ingenuity.
Yuxian, in southern Zhangjiakou, is known for its historic settlements and folk arts. Its architecture inspired locations in the hit game Black Myth: Wukong, and its paper-cutting tradition remains alive. "Paper-cutting came from everyday people," said a master of the craft. "It used to decorate farmhouse windows. Now it reaches the wider world." Julian and Juan try their hand at paper-cutting, experiencing how heritage is passed down not as a museum piece but as a living practice. This integration of tradition into daily life and popular culture underscores the resilience of rural identity.
Desheng Village showcases how clean energy and modern agriculture are reshaping rural economies. Rows of solar panels stretch across the land, and beneath them, temperature-controlled greenhouses hum with 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. As night falls, a bonfire gathering in the village square reveals a close-knit community spirit that persists amid change.
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 not defined by a single landscape or way of life. Chongli's mountains pulse with year-round energy; Yugouliang's fields offer a slower rhythm; Yuxian's ancient villages keep folk crafts alive; and Desheng shows how clean energy and modern agriculture create new opportunities. Here, tradition and innovation coexist. Visitors may come for the scenery, but they leave with a closer understanding of the people who live on this land, the traditions they carry forward, and the future they are building together. The series, available on CGTN, provides a timely reminder that rural revitalization is not about erasing the past but about weaving it into a sustainable future.
