From left to right: Liu Jie (center) shares a laugh with friends after their volunteer work. Cui Kai (upper left) and five other managers of Guanye. Liang Siqi (front) poses with a new friend she made in her volunteer work. [Photo provided to China Daily]
"Youth retirement homes" provide a retreat for young people seeking a break from city life and stress, Meng Wenjie reports.
Zhang Rui, 29, once worked as a graphic designer in Beijing. After experiencing a layoff, she decided to temporarily step back from her career to find a peaceful space for relaxation and rejuvenation.
Now living in a small village, Zhang works part-time online. With affordable rent and a lower cost of living compared to Beijing, she has called this place home for over a month.
"Living here has really helped me unwind. I'm feeling less stressed, and I've learned that it's OK to slow down," Zhang said.
This tranquil location is a "youth retirement village "named Guanye, nestled in the Yesanpo Scenic Area of Baoding, a city in North China's Hebei province. Just a two-hour drive from Beijing, it offers a stark contrast to the city's hustle and towering skyscrapers.
Zhang discovered the spot through Xiaohongshu, a popular Chinese lifestyle-sharing platform, where the concept of "youth retirement home" has recently intrigued many young Chinese internet users. This term has garnered over 8.6 million views on the platform, sparking widespread interest and discussion.
Posts related to this trend reveal the existence of similar youth-focused residential communities in various cities across China, like Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture in Yunnan, Suzhou in Jiangsu, and Chengdu in Sichuan. Some of these communities have specific age limits, excluding individuals over 45.
Despite its name, a youth retirement home is not a facility for senior care. According to Cui Kai, 30, one of Guanye's six managers, it is a place where young people can escape the intense competition and mental pressures of modern life.
"They can take a break from their daily stress and worries, and simply relax in peace for a while," Cui said.
Before residents move in, the village conducts a survey to learn about their interests, daily habits, and health conditions. Based on this information, the staff organizes activities like meditation, hiking, and book clubs.
The monthly cost for a mountain-view king-size room is 3,599 yuan ($508) per person, which includes accommodation, meals, and activities. For a four-person dormitory, the monthly cost is 1,999 yuan per person.
Above: Residents of Guanye gather to collect firewood in the mountains. Below: Residents participate in a morning meditation session in the yard. [Photo provided to China Daily]
A shelter for youth
The village was originally a guesthouse in the Yesanpo Scenic Area. Following upgrades, Cui and his partners combined traditional guesthouse services with the needs of young people seeking short-term relaxation, shaping the community into what it is today, which opened in May this year.
"It provides a third place for young people to come together," said Cui.
Cui's reference to the "third place" draws from the concept introduced by US sociologist Ray Oldenburg in his 1989 book, The Great Good Place.
The term describes a physical setting distinct from home and work, where individuals find comfort, spiritual fulfillment, and a sense of community. Such places can be cafes, bars, or libraries, where people from diverse backgrounds gather to socialize in an informal setting.
Currently, Guanye is home to over 10 long-term residents, primarily digital nomads who have broken away from fixed locations to work and live. On weekends, the village also attracts 30 to 50 visitors. Their average age is under 30, with about half born after 1995.
Residents with special interests or expertise in areas such as painting, calligraphy, music, medicine, or psychology often share their skills, exchanging them to help cover costs or accommodation.
The laid-back rural lifestyle and the easygoing social atmosphere have fostered a sense of belonging among young visitors.
Liang Siqi, a 30-year-old working in Beijing who volunteered at the village in June, observed that unlike typical youth hostels or guesthouses that primarily offer lodging, Guanye seamlessly integrates with the youth community and the surrounding area, promoting interaction among residents and locals.
She noted that the events at the village are arranged in advance and entirely voluntary.
"If you're interested, feel free to join in. If you prefer to enjoy your own space, you won't be bothered," she explained. "I see it as a sanctuary to recharge my energy."
The positive atmosphere also left an impact on Liu Jie, a 20-year-old university student, who exchanged two weeks of volunteer work for accommodation and meals at Guanye.
During her stay, a resident who happened to be a psychologist generously offered guidance and emotional support to the tenants.
"I had some anxiety before, and this resident's professional advice was incredibly helpful to me," she said.
Liu mentioned that this experience marked her first solo adventure, and these interactions inspired her to explore more of the world.
Chilled, yet engaged
Cui clarified that the term "youth retirement home" can be easily misunderstood.
He explained that while the relaxed lifestyle might seem to contradict traditional ideas of ambition and progress, the goal is not to encourage avoidance of the real world.
According to Cui, around 30 percent of the residents are digital nomads. Their jobs are not tied to a specific location, allowing them to enjoy the pleasant surroundings of the facility while working online and maintaining a steady income.
For those feeling stuck in their careers, the village regularly organizes career development workshops where professionals share valuable insights.
"These exchanges have helped me a lot," said Zhang, who initially felt disheartened after being laid off. However, experienced professionals reassured her that layoffs are often influenced by various factors. They encouraged her to enhance her market value and helped her refine her resume.
During her stay at the village, Zhang took up a hand-drawing illustration course and recently began sending out resumes again. After a brief pause, she returned with renewed confidence, ready for a fresh start.
"I want to support young people in finding a safe space away from the chaos of city life, where they can rediscover themselves and gather strength for their next chapter," Cui said.
