Zhangjiakou, a city in Hebei Province located about 200 kilometers northwest of Beijing, is the focus of the third season of CGTN’s travel series Village Voyage. Host Julian Waghann and Mexican traveler Juan Carlos Cheang Guzmán explore how rural communities are developing new paths while maintaining ties to local traditions.

The season examines the intersection of tradition and modernity in the Chinese countryside, highlighting the broader significance of rural revitalization efforts in China and how they may reshape perceptions of rural life. Rather than focusing only on iconic landmarks, the series follows the daily rhythms of villages and the people who live there.

In Chongli, which hosted events during 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,” a local outdoor guide said. Since the Olympics, residents have expanded the area’s activities to include mountain biking, trail running, hiking and camping.

Julian and Juan join the Chongli 168 Ultra-Trail Race, where thousands of runners take part. “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, located on a high plateau in northern Zhangjiakou, residents have developed a distinctive form of outdoor yoga rooted in farm work. “Our yoga comes from farm work,” one villager explained. “It is part of how we live.” Julian and Juan first prepare youmian, a local oat staple, before practicing yoga in the fields alongside villagers.

“This feels familiar,” Juan said. “No matter where we are, people want the same things – health, peace, security and a life that feels full.” The village offers an example of rural life that is not frozen in the past but is finding new forms of well-being.

Yuxian, in southern Zhangjiakou, is known for its historic settlements and folk arts. Its architecture inspired locations in the game Black Myth: Wukong. Yuxian paper-cutting, a traditional craft, has been passed down through generations. “Paper-cutting came from everyday people,” a master said. “It used to decorate farmhouse windows. Now it reaches the wider world.” Julian and Juan try the craft themselves, seeing how cultural heritage remains part of everyday life.

Desheng Village shows how rural communities are embracing new technologies. Solar panels cover parts of the landscape, while 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 and learn how revenue from clean energy supports schools, roads and public spaces. A bonfire gathering in the village square further reflects the community’s close-knit character.

For a new generation of travelers, these immersive experiences provide a broader view of rural China. Zhangjiakou’s countryside encompasses Chongli’s year-round mountain activities, Yugouliang’s slower-paced fields, Yuxian’s living folk traditions and Desheng’s combination of clean energy and modern agriculture. Together, the episodes show that rural revitalization can be experienced through multiple parts of village life, from recreation and food to cultural heritage, infrastructure and community activities. As tradition and innovation coexist, the series presents the people and communities shaping the future of the region.