This episode takes place at Qianhuang Bay, a family-run homestay in Xiling Village, during an evening spent with homestay owner Zhu Xiaokui and his family.

Amelia talks with Zhu Xiaokui about how Qianhuang Bay came to be and why he chose to stay rooted in the village where he grew up. The homestay wasn’t created to present rural life for visitors. It developed out of an existing way of life, with family involvement and daily routines shaped by the land. As the first homestay in Xiling Village, it became the starting point for what followed.

Today, Xiling Village is home to more than thirty homestays. Families share resources rather than compete, host travelers and group retreats together, and work toward a definition of success centered on continuity — families staying connected, neighbors supporting one another, and the village moving forward collectively.

This episode isn’t focused on destinations or itineraries. It examines what happens when time isn’t rushed, when people sit together and pay attention, and when hospitality is built gradually and sustained over time.

This episode is sponsored by China Eastern Airlines, who supported my travel for this journey. You can learn more about their routes and destinations at: https://us.ceair.com/en/

Topics Covered

• Family-run homestays in Xiling Village
• Opening the village’s first homestay at Qianhuang Bay
• Building a cooperative model instead of competing for visitors
• Hosting travelers and group retreats as a shared village effort
• Daily and seasonal rhythms shaped by land, family, and routine
• Time as a foundation for meaningful hospitality

Keywords

Qianhuang Bay, Xiling Village, Zhu Xiaokui, rural homestay, family-run homestay, village cooperation, rural revitalization, sustainable travel, hospitality and community, gift of time

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Photos and moments from this journey are on social at @AmeliaOldOfficial, and you can learn more about my work at AmeliaOld.com .