Lao Zhang is a department head at a Beijing-based newspaper. During the recent National Day holiday, he took his family to experience a brand-new way of vacationing in northern Beijing. Far from the crowds and worldly distractions, they joined the Cowboy Carnival in West Town, hailed as China’s Happy Town. Over the course of five days—from meals and lodging to the various carnival activities—Lao Zhang was deeply moved.
This place, called Orvida Tribe West Town, respects the ecological environment and emphasizes humanistic spirit. Unlike other scenic spots that offer monotonous and uninspiring experiences, it promotes a new model of humanistic eco-resort living, quickly emerging as a rising star among Beijing’s suburban vacation destinations.
A vibrant model of humanistic eco-resort living
A vacation model devoid of human connection fails to touch or retain the soul. Watching the tides rise and fall by the shimmering lakeshore, strolling leisurely amidst American Western charm, or lying on a rustic wooden chair, gazing at the drifting clouds and listening to birdsong and floral scents… These are classic, traditional vacation experiences—ones many have enjoyed too often, even grown tired of. Today, vacations need to integrate more humanistic elements to reinvigorate the experience.
Our investigation found that compared to other resort bases, the humanistic eco-resort model of Orvida Tribe West Town has gained the favor of many precisely because of its competitiveness. It has built a comprehensive vacation and leisure model grounded in interpersonal circles. Here, the beautiful scenery serves merely as a backdrop, while various community activities take center stage. Highlighting one or two activities—like golf or basketball—wouldn’t clearly distinguish Orvida Tribe from other resort bases. What makes it stand out is its success in constructing a closed-loop social platform. Members rediscover long-lost parts of themselves through collaborative rehearsals in the drama club, bonding over drinks at the wine club, and cooperating in outdoor adventures within the off-road vehicle community. They build the relationships most essential to social beings, thereby fostering a sense of belonging, trust, and self-worth within Orvida Tribe.
This is closely tied to the deeply rooted collectivist values in traditional Chinese culture—where a life without community ties is akin to being disconnected from society and losing oneself. Within Orvida Tribe’s interpersonal circles, emotional connections are fostered through communal activities, sparking resonance. Individuals can also unleash their creative spirit, giving rise to more communities that pursue humanistic ideals and transcendence. In every case, this process unleashes human energy and vitality, brightening the vacation experience, and ultimately forming a vibrant model of humanistic eco-resort living. This is what truly embodies the vacation philosophy of an advanced society. (Compiled by HowToTrip)