This episode of Voices of Inspiration takes place in Miaoxi, a village in the Huzhou region of Zhejiang Province, China.

The episode follows time spent at a family-run homestay and a conversation with the owner, Wang Ying, about daily life, hosting travelers, and her transition from working in finance to welcoming guests into her home. Through the discussion, the episode captures moments from the property, walks through tea-covered mountains near the village, and the small details that shaped the experience of staying in rural Zhejiang.

Rather than focusing on major landmarks, the episode centers on place, pace, and everyday life outside of China’s largest cities.

KEY TOPICS

• Staying at a family-run homestay in Miaoxi, Zhejiang
• Time spent walking through tea-covered mountains near the village
• Daily life and seasonal rhythms in rural Zhejiang
• A conversation with Wang Ying about hosting travelers
• Family involvement in running the property
• Navigating language barriers while traveling
• Small tools that helped simplify travel logistics
• Beginning the homestay-focused portion of the China series

BOOKING INFORMATION

Listeners interested in staying at the homestay featured in this episode can find details and booking information at the link below:

Huzhou Miaoxi Slide Meisu
https://www.trip.com/hotels/v2/huzhou-hotel-detail-44559210/huzhou-miaoxi-slide-meisu/

The property is located approximately 16 km from Huzhou Railway Station and is near local attractions including Elves Alley, Xisaishan Holiday Resort, and Huzhou Giraffe Manor.

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More information about Voices of Inspiration, along with episode updates and newsletter sign-ups, is available at ameliaold.com and voicesofinspirationpodcast.com

In this episode, Amelia looks back on her time in Shanghai, the first stop on a recent project in China. Outside Yu Garden, she found herself thinking about her childhood and how different her sense of the world is today. She describes her visit to Jing’an Temple, an afternoon in Peace Park where people gathered to dance, and the way Shanghai’s neighborhoods shift from one block to the next. She also shares her time at the observatory with its wide city views and a night river cruise along the Bund that offered a completely different look at the skyline.

Amelia also talks through the practical side of her trip — the apps that made communication simple, the tools that helped her stay connected, and why Shanghai felt surprisingly comfortable to navigate on her own.

This episode lays the foundation for where the series is headed next and why Shanghai was the right place to begin.

This episode is sponsored by China Eastern Airlines. Visit their official site for routes and booking information. https://us.ceair.com/en/

After an unexpected year-long break, Amelia returns to Voices of Inspiration with a candid look at why the past year pulled her in a different direction and how she found her way back to the mic. In this episode, she reflects on a year shaped by significant challenges, including a family emergency that required her full attention. She also reflects on completing 100 Things to Do in South Carolina Before You Die and what’s ahead for 2026.

Now that the manuscript is turned in and life feels steadier, Amelia is back behind the mic with a clearer understanding of why these conversations matter and why this season felt like the right time to return.

This season includes interviews with homestay owners in China, specifically in Shanghai and Zhejiang, whose work supports their communities through local hiring, cultural preservation, and the use of homegrown or locally sourced products.

Whether you’ve been listening from the start or tuning in for the first time, this episode brings you up to date and sets the direction for what’s ahead.