Escape from China's urban hustle: A 21-year-old's journey to a peaceful life in the rural mountains
In China's Guizhou province, a remarkable 21-year-old retiree, Liu Youwen, has crafted a bamboo shack on the cliff's edge His unique rural mountain lifestyle defies convention, inspiring awe and curiosity
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In southwest China's Guizhou province, 21-year-old "retiree" Liu Youwen has built a bamboo shack perched on the edge of a cliff.
Three years ago, Liu left his rural hometown Xiaxixiang, Guizhou, and moved to the city of Shantou in Guangdong, China's wealthiest province. This move was part of a widespread migration of rural workers to the cities, which has been a major factor in the country's significant economic growth and the development of some of the largest cities in the world.
However, as a junior high school dropout, Liu faced significant challenges in finding employment. He was rejected by many factories due to his lack of formal qualifications, but eventually secured jobs as a car mechanic, construction worker, and finally at a clothing factory.
Liu says he built his home from scratch in his mountainous hometown of Xiaxixiang.
Liu Youwen, seeking solace from the relentless pace of city life, made the decision to leave it behind at the close of 2022 and head back to the serene landscapes of Guizhou. Despite objections from his parents and older brother, Liu was determined to pursue a "simple life" and break free from the stress of urban living.
"I used to work in the factory from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., plus overtime, and my time was not my own," Liu told CNN over the phone. "Now I wake up to the sounds of birds chirping," he said as he finished chopping up bamboo shoots.
Liu's frustrations are a reflection of the increasing disillusionment among young people in China. Many of them are dealing with a challenging job market, burnout from years of intense academic and work pressure, and the traumatic impact of the country's strict former pandemic policies.
Chinas youth unemployment rate in cities and towns reached a record high of 21.3% in June, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. The government ceased releasing the data shortly after. In an effort to address the issue, authorities have suggested that urban youth consider relocating to the countryside, a proposal that has sparked controversy.
Liu, 21, grows his own food and films videos of his meals being prepared.
Liu Youwen Courtesy
In December last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping encouraged young people to participate in the effort to "revitalize the rural economy." This initiative has been likened to a previous campaign initiated by former leader Mao Zedong, in which millions of urban youths were relocated to remote areas.
Xi experienced life as a "sent-down youth" in rural central China, describing it as a transformative and enriching experience that strengthened him both physically and mentally. The village where he lived has been transformed into a Communist memorial, drawing visitors and officials from all over China.
Guangdong authorities, a heavily populated province in China known for its major factory presence, announced earlier this year their intention to send 300,000 unemployed young people to rural areas to seek employment.
Liu soon found out that living in the mountains presented its own set of difficulties.
Liu lives in the mountains with his dogs and pigs.
Courtesy Liu Youwen
At first, his parents worried about his safety, being alone in the woods, so they installed CCTV around the area to keep tabs on him.
To address the issue of no electricity, Liu took initiative to install multiple solar panels around the shack. However, he has pursued an unconventional route to success, diverging from the farm work and blue-collar jobs encouraged by Chinese authorities for urban youth.
Taking inspiration from Chinese vlogger and influencer Li Ziqi, who has amassed 18 million subscribers on YouTube with her videos showcasing rural life in China, Liu now shares weekly vlogs of his mountainous adventures.
And he's not the only one. Dianxi Xiaoge, a Chinese food vlogger, imparts her knowledge of healthy village cuisine to over 10 million YouTube subscribers from her home in southwest Yunnan province. Joining them are Xiao Chun Zi and Xin Xin, a pair of Gen Z "retirees" from Sichuan province, who also share content similar to Liu's Rural Life.
YouTube is one of the social media platforms inaccessible to most people in China due to the Great Firewall. Lius' videos feature a variety of content, from building a pig pen to his interactions with his dogs, Lucky and Flower. Armed with just a phone and a tripod, he records his one-man production as he works in the field, grows vegetables, and prepares food for his animals.
Liu's videos depict him eating meals, watching television, building a pig pen and other aspects of rural living.
Courtesy of Liu Youwen, he claims to never feel lonely as he enjoys the company of his animals and access to television. As of September, he has gained significant online attention, accumulating over 350,000 likes across his various social media platforms.
Some online users expressed admiration for him, with one stating: "He clearly has his priorities and a healthy lifestyle, unlike some other Gen Zers who are consumed by video games." Another expressed concern, "The 00s are starting to retire, what about those of us born in the 80s?" in reference to Lius "retirement" from the traditional workforce at only 21 years old.
However, some expressed doubt, with one commenter questioning, "Do you have no responsibilities at home? Engaging in these pointless activities and lounging around?"
The "lying flat" movement, known as "tangping" in Chinese, gained significant traction among the younger generation in 2021, urging them to resist societal expectations to work excessively, marry, have children, and invest in real estate.
Instead of endlessly laboring toward those traditional goals - which many now say offer diminishing returns - people should pursue a simple life, the philosophy suggests.
A 21-year-old vlogger in China quit his job in the city and moved back to his rural hometown to pursue a simpler life in the mountains
Courtesy Liu Youwen
Liu has defended himself against his critics by saying, "Maybe those who don't know me would view it as giving up, but I disagree. I've constructed my entire house from the ground up. Life in the mountains isn't any easier than working in the city."
In order to sustain his rural lifestyle, he integrates advertising and product placement into his videos. With sales ranging from hand cream and facial cleansers to hot and sour noodles, he has been able to generate a modest income to enhance his living conditions. In the future, Liu also intends to expand his home in order to construct a chicken pen for online meat sales. Additionally, he encourages others who are interested in moving to the countryside to pursue their own business ventures there.
"Life in the mountains is much better than city life - even drinking water costs money in the city," he said.
