Off the beaten track

The couple traveled to some quaint villages totally devoid of tourists. They dined and rubbed shoulders with the locals and enjoyed the agreeable rural life.

"As young people have gone to big cities to make a living, only the elderly stay in villages," she says.

"Sometimes it's good that these villages can be 'seen' by the public," she says.

They visited Laozhai village in Lingshan county, Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. The ancient Yao ethnic group village only has about 200 residents in 48 households. Villagers are honest and kindhearted, and taught the couple some traditional skills.

When they were in a minsu (a Chinese-style bed-and-breakfast homestay) halfway up Damian Mountain, in Guilin city of Guangxi, they made friends with the owner.

To boost the local tourism, she had built a stone path from the foot to the summit of the mountain and a viewing platform at her own expense. Photographers can enjoy a panoramic view of the rolling mountains and clean lakes, free of charge.

"We don't like to make short videos about travel tips. Rather, we prefer to present the local lifestyles and we feel emotionally connected with these people."

They visited a cattle-farming clan in Yangdong village, Liping county, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture, Guizhou province. They had to drive on a winding road up the mountain and a bumpy mud path, but the picturesque view of terraced fields proved to be worthwhile.