Youth redefine local heritage in 2025

Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai

Young people from across the nation are flocking to the rural outskirts of major cities in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai region, transforming these areas into thriving, vibrant communities.

Here, the countryside offers a unique blend of urban and rural characteristics — natural beauty paired with efficient management and convenient infrastructure. New residents and professional teams are developing vacation villas, affordable housing for young people, cafes, and international schools.

Freelance programmer Zhu Weitian founded a youth commune in Nuancun, Liangzhu, Zhejiang province, providing entrepreneurial support for tech talent. He likens the area to Beijing's Zhongguancun 20 years ago — full of the same energy and creativity, but with more freedom and lower living costs.

Zhao Dan, head of Nuancun's operations team, emphasizes the importance of social connections in the area's appeal."People are drawn to people," he said.

Nuancun brings together individuals with diverse interests and shared goals, such as hiking, meditation, and collaborative tech creation. New residents find like-minded friends, sparking meaningful interactions and even joint ventures.

"The Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai countryside has an organic force for growth," Zhao said. "It is the perfect place for pragmatic idealists."