Villages around the world have unique paths of development, yet they share certain connections. 

As internet traffic surges, does it bring relentless disruption to traditional villages or unlock a burst of inner vitality? When streams of tourists arrive, do local residents embrace the change or resist it? Are young people willing to stay in these old villages, and how can the crafts passed down from their grandparents be sustained? When Gen Z steps beyond the filters of social media, how will they redefine what it means to be a “new influencer” or an “old village”? 

From Shushan in Suzhou to Shirakawa-go in Japan, Barbizon in France, Pienza in Italy, Xiangtang in Nanjing, Giethoorn in the Netherlands, Eguisheim in France, and Yaoli in Huzhou, these villages have all become trending destinations online, yet each one continues to preserve its unique traditions and ways of life. 

The special report “Gen Z’s Rural Decode: the Reimagined Villages” explores villages from China to the world. Through exchange and interaction, the series explores diverse histories and cultures, while encountering new people and perspectives.  

Planner: SHEN Zhengrong 

On-Camera & Script: QIAN Yingying