In the southwest of ChinaIn Guizhou Province, a 21yearold named Liu Youwen built a bamboo hut from scratch on the edge of a cliff. This seemingly unusual lifestyle choice reflects a growing phenomenon in China, where young people are abandoning hectic city life in search of a simpler, more authentic life in rural areas.
Disappointments in the city and the desire for a simple life
Liu, like many other young people, tried his luck in the city after leaving his hometown in rural Guizhou. However, their lack of formal skills made finding them difficult Work.
He was rejected in several factories before eventually finding work in fields such as automobile mechanics, construction and even the clothing industry. However, the arduous everyday life of city life disappointed him.
At the end of 2022, Liu decided to give up city life and return to the hills and rivers of Guizhou, despite his family's objections.
His motivation was clear: he was looking for one “simple life” and wanted to escape the rat race and the pressure that city life put on him. While working in factories, he experienced long hours and the feeling that his time was not his own.
The young Chinese Liu Youwen, 21, lives in the mountains Source: Disclosure
The disillusionment of young people in China and the challenge of unemployment
Liu's disillusionment reflects a growing sentiment among young Chinese, many of whom are facing it Difficulties in the labor market, exhaustion due to academic and professional pressures and the traumatic impact of previous policies such as strict pandemic restrictions.
Statistics reveal an alarming challenge: the rate of Youth unemployment in Chinese cities hit record 21.3% in June, before the government stopped publishing this inconvenient data. In response, Chinese authorities are encouraging young people to migrate to rural areas, a proposal that has sparked debate and controversy.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping himself appealed to young people to do so “Revival of the rural economy”which draws comparisons to previous campaigns sending urban youth to remote areas, including his own experience as a member of the “sent youth.”
A life in the mountains
Living in the mountains came with challenges for Liu, including safety concerns and the need to create his own power source using solar panels. However, he also found an unconventional path to success, inspired by vloggers sharing their lives in rural China.
Despite the criticism he has received, Liu defends his lifestyle and encourages other young people to consider a similar life in the mountains. He argues that living in the country is rewarding and more costeffective than living in the city, highlighting the importance of Look for authenticity and simplicity in an increasingly hectic world.