Laojia 老家 | Travel Services
Laojia 老家 | Travel Services
Laozhai village
Laozhai village
Langshi Village
Qing Dynasty Retreat
Qing Dynasty Retreat
Our Motivation
Laojia is a dedicated team of Chinese and international social entrepreneurs, united by a mission to support traditional rural communities in China as they thrive in the modern world.
As individuals, we’re drawn to places where people live in harmony with nature’s rhythms. We find this balance in China’s rural communities, where time-honored ways of life endure and offer us endless inspiration.
The relationships we’ve built in these regions have enriched us with perspective, purpose, and friendship. Laojia is our way of giving back—working alongside these communities to support their sustainable growth while preserving their unique heritage.
It started with a house..
And without many expectations. In 2013 we moved into a traditional Chinese house in a rural Guangxi village, and began learning through immersion. We developed a deep connection to this place and its people, and decided to share this rich experience with others. We turned our home into a guesthouse.
Visitors adored their experiences. The guesthouse created jobs for villagers. And as local culture was highlighted, local pride was increased, leading to the preservation of more traditional houses. Soon we found opportunities to replicate this model in other communities. We are still doing this work today.
Our collaborations often still begin with a house, and with the owners of it. Investing in the preservation of a traditional house grounds us physically in the village and commits us relationally to villagers. From here we have a doorway to learn about the past and present of the community, a means to host travelers and students, and a starting point to play a reciprocative role in the community's journey. We are constantly evolving our forms of partnership to increase the ownership and leadership of villagers. We believe this makes for more sustainable collaborations and futures.
Empowering Community
Well-being
Despite the health and wisdom rural communities hold, they often find themselves at an economic disadvantage. The remoteness of these villages is their blessing and their challenge.
Villagers are eager for economic opportunities at home, without needing to migrate for work. They are open to sharing their lifestyles with fascinated outsiders, and creating partnerships with organizations who value their heritage. They know that these things depend on the well-being of their culture and ecosystems.
As cultural exchange happens, stakeholders share ideas, and opportunities that fit the community's vision for sustainable development arise.
An example:
Over a 5-year period we co-piloted a project to reintroduce traditional methods of organic rice cultivation. This ensured healthier land and food for villagers, as well as a premium product that Laojia would help them market to urban consumers online. This represented a choice for villagers to benefit from their unique skills and their land, and to find impactful opportunity from home.
This allowed us to organize village-hosted educational programs, providing more jobs for locals, where young students learn about ecogical farming, business, and local culture. Other communities are planning to follow suit, with their own unique gifts and challenges in mind.
Why Laojia？
As trusted allies to rural communities, we prioritize listening to their needs and building on their unique heritage, skills, and aspirations. We share our expertise and connections to an ever-evolving digital world, advocating on behalf of these communities and helping them forge meaningful partnerships that align with their vision for growth.
Why do villagers and partners choose Laojia as their bridge to new opportunities? Learn more on our rural liaison page.