From city stress to rural rest

"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.