A new utopia near the city

Co-builders

Guo, originally from Qiqihar in Heilongjiang province, is passionate about literature and sociology. He has spent the past decade in Hangzhou, working as a travel planner, English teacher, and cafe owner.

At the end of last year, he relocated his cafe to Nuancun, where he now divides his time between brewing coffee and writing.

He is working on a novel inspired by his experiences running the cafe and the diverse people he meets there. Unlike city cafes, where conversations often revolve around work, the new villagers in Nuancun are more likely to discuss art and philosophy.

In addition to his novel, Guo conducts social observations and shares his insights through a WeChat public account.

"What we see today are no longer traditional villages," he wrote. "Although neighbors share the same land, they each chase their own ideal lifestyle — something that goes far beyond conventional rural living."

Guo is especially interested in how newly formed communities develop cohesive social bonds, as people from across the country settle in rural areas to explore new ways of living.

"I want to understand how long it takes for an empty village to grow into a relatively stable and mature community," he said.

"Right now, there may be gaps in infrastructure or cooperation — but that's only when measured by urban standards. If we stop imposing those expectations and instead allow the community to develop organically, evolving from an imperfect state at its own pace and in its own style, then perhaps we'll find there's nothing to be dissatisfied with at all."

Zhu, originally from Mudanjiang in Heilongjiang province, strongly resonates with the concept of co-growth and co-construction.

In 2014, seeking a less stressful environment for her two children, she and her family moved from downtown Hangzhou to Liangzhu.

She left her job at an overseas corporation and went on to found a kindergarten in Liangzhu, where she took the children on weekly hikes and encouraged them to play freely in nature.

"Parents need to step away from the pressures of a competitive environment in order to truly let go of their anxiety," Zhu said. "For me, I couldn't stay calm under that kind of pressure — I needed to remove myself from it."

In the spring of 2023, she launched Nuanshufang, a learning hub for the village. It quickly became a platform for villagers to share their passions and skills — folk musicians, craft experts, and Chinese studies teachers now run their own courses and earn income independently.

In Nuancun, personal interests and entrepreneurial spirit naturally intertwine. Today, diverse communities — from mental wellness circles and book clubs to zero-waste collectives — coexist and thrive.

The "co-build, co-share" ethos fuels the future of this rural experiment, Zhu noted.

"Let go of preconceptions and expectations," she said. "Dare to slow down and wait, and see where things lead us."