Most people visiting Huairou District come to see The Great Wall, trading the bustle of Beijing for that of a world-famous tourist spot. But they miss the green oasis that is the rest of the district.
Huairou is 90% mountainous and 69% of the district is covered in forests. Dotted through the mountains and forests are small villages. Within these villages, Beijing’s urbanites like Ms. Liu are finding refuge from city life in the many village café’s that have popped up.
Stepping into Mengyuan Café brimming with green plants, and nestled into mountains and forests, one can sense the harmonious coexistence of people, animals, and nature. Some people are listening to jazz performances, and others are playing board games. Many are earnestly taking beautiful photos to check-in on social media.
“I like the atmosphere here. Unlike the coffee shops in the city, there is an open water surface here. Sitting by the lake and enjoying the breeze, the work pressure of the day is blown away.” a tourist said.
While more than 30 kilometers away, at FUN PLACE CAFE (山顶骑士), there is a group of young people who are interested in more than just coffee. They are motorcycle enthusiasts and often come here for a coffee break during their rides. “Every time I take part in riding activities with my motorcycle friends, I will come here for a brief rest. Sometimes I can also communicate with various riders. It’s a great place to relax and recharge.” said Mr. Wang, a motorcycle enthusiast.
Village cafés with their unique characteristics have gained popularity in Huairou District, attracting customers of various ages and backgrounds. According to the report of China News Service, there are more than 70 village cafés in Huairou, and over 500 people are engaged in the village café business. For instance, In Shangwangyu village of Huairou district, there are already three café’s for the villages 100 residents. On weekends, visitors far outnumber residents.
These village cafés have emerged as a new business form that drives the development of rural tourism in China. Often, it is young people returning home to the countryside to start their own businesses that have spurned this trend. Many are returning as overseas graduates, opting for a different course in life then the intense work-life found in a city like Beijing.
“These young people who come to the village to start businesses have broad horizons and advanced concepts, driving the development of the entire village,” Local officials said to the Xinhua News Agency. After having coffee, people will also buy local specialties such as persimmons and walnuts to take back, driving the sales of agricultural and products in the village. Alongside cafes, rural homestays and farm restaurants have also been opening up.
Besides Huairou in Beijing, in Anji, Zhejiang Province, Yanji, Jilin Province, and other rural areas village cafés amid mountains, waters, and fields have become an important space to fulfil people’s longing for the countryside and nature.
At Mengyuan Cafe in Huairou, a sign reads “There is no solution to life, have a cup of latte (人生无解，喝杯拿铁)” summarising the ethos of these village cafes.
Article written by Chen Wang with additional reporting and editing by Robert Postings. If you liked this article why not read: More Young People in China are Heading Outdoors to “explore new frontiers”
