A young professional from Taiwan, born in the mid-1990s, has found her second home in the rural landscapes of Fujian, dedicating herself to community building and creative development.
Yuan Qingyang, a native of New Taipei City, told reporters that Fujian's countryside is a treasure trove awaiting discovery, adding that home is where the heart feels settled, and this place now embodies that feeling for her.
Her daily life in Zhongmen Village, Pingtan, involves waking up to a five-minute walk to the sea, surrounded by the sounds of frogs and birds, with traditional stone-built houses scattered across the hillside.
Holding dual bachelor's degrees in hospitality management and landscape design, Yuan previously worked at a landscape design firm in Shanghai and taught in Taiwan. In early 2024, she crossed the strait and chose to settle in Pingtan, drawn by its coastal and mountainous terrain, to engage in rural revitalization and community initiatives.
Upon immersing herself in village work, Yuan noticed many left-behind children in the area. In July 2024, she launched the "Lantan Public Welfare Academy," offering weekend art and culture classes for local kids. Starting with harp introductory lessons, the program has expanded to include painting, street dance, rural aesthetics, and traditional Chinese culture.
Yuan cited the inspiring story of teacher Zhang Guimei, who helped mountain girls pursue education, as a motivating force. She expressed her hope that children in rural Fujian could broaden their horizons through diverse learning opportunities and connect with the wider world.
Beyond education, she organizes beach cleanup activities to remove marine debris from the coast and leads students on visits to care for elderly villagers during festivals. She has also been cataloging local tourism resources, such as homestays and dining options, to boost sales of regional seafood and energize the rural economy.
In Yuan's view, Pingtan's villages hide assets like fish-raft scenery and century-old hamlets that remain largely unknown to outsiders. She aims to introduce these hidden gems to a broader audience, calling the area's mountain-and-sea beauty an "amazing gift."
This environment has also allowed her to fulfill a long-held equestrian dream. She recently purchased a horse of a prized breed, her first, which she keeps alongside dogs, pigeons, and cats. At age 30, she marvels at being able to realize childhood aspirations. She plans to integrate international therapy courses and develop an equine-assisted healing program to bring new business models to the countryside.
To showcase Pingtan's rural charm, Yuan launched a social media account in February, under the handle "Taiwan girl raising a horse," documenting her work, daily life, and the changing scenery and community transformation in Zhongmen Village.
She captures moments with her horse in Pingtan for her online audience. Yuan reflects that without coming to the mainland, she would not have such a life. She wants to highlight Fujian's cultural uniqueness from a Taiwanese perspective, showing both netizens and young people in Taiwan the region's rural evolution.
Yuan believes the countryside should not be neglected. She sees young people bringing fresh ideas to rural areas as vital to a landscape full of vitality and opportunity, capable of becoming a vibrant new frontier for youth engagement.
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