This undated file photo shows elderly people practicing musical instruments at the Huangshan mutual aid community in Huangshan District of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua)

　　HEFEI, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- On a recent autumn morning in Xiongcun Village in east China's Anhui Province, Bi Sheng sipped coffee in his small studio while answering emails.

　　A short walk away, craftsmen were renovating an old house, waiting for the 55-year-old to review designs and select timber.

　　A native of Beijing, Bi first visited villages in Shexian County of Huangshan City, southern Anhui, more than a decade ago for a design project. Drawn to the area's rich cultural heritage, he eventually bought a house there and embraced what he described as a semi-retired life.

　　"Every village has its own stories, and history is everywhere. That was beyond my expectations," he said.

　　His new life has given Bi something he missed in the city: close-knit neighborhood ties. His new neighbors sometimes bring him freshly caught fish or vegetables they have grown themselves.

　　"In cities, many people don't even know their neighbors," he said.

　　Bi is part of a growing trend in China, where many older people are traveling to spend extended periods in places with beautiful scenery, rich culture and opportunities to build social connections, particularly after retirement.

　　From July 2024 to June 2025, China recorded more than 84.3 million extended-stay visits by older travelers, averaging more than 7 million a month, according to a report released by the China Association of Ageing.