This episode takes place at Qianhuang Bay, a family-run homestay in Xiling Village, during an evening spent with homestay owner Zhu Xiaokui and his family.

Amelia talks with Zhu Xiaokui about how Qianhuang Bay came to be and why he chose to stay rooted in the village where he grew up. The homestay wasn’t created to present rural life for visitors. It developed out of an existing way of life, with family involvement and daily routines shaped by the land. As the first homestay in Xiling Village, it became the starting point for what followed.

Today, Xiling Village is home to more than thirty homestays. Families share resources rather than compete, host travelers and group retreats together, and work toward a definition of success centered on continuity — families staying connected, neighbors supporting one another, and the village moving forward collectively.

This episode isn’t focused on destinations or itineraries. It examines what happens when time isn’t rushed, when people sit together and pay attention, and when hospitality is built gradually and sustained over time.

This episode is sponsored by China Eastern Airlines, who supported my travel for this journey. You can learn more about their routes and destinations at: https://us.ceair.com/en/

Topics Covered

• Family-run homestays in Xiling Village
• Opening the village’s first homestay at Qianhuang Bay
• Building a cooperative model instead of competing for visitors
• Hosting travelers and group retreats as a shared village effort
• Daily and seasonal rhythms shaped by land, family, and routine
• Time as a foundation for meaningful hospitality

Keywords

Qianhuang Bay, Xiling Village, Zhu Xiaokui, rural homestay, family-run homestay, village cooperation, rural revitalization, sustainable travel, hospitality and community, gift of time

Listen & Share

If this conversation resonated, share it with someone who could use a reminder to slow down. Subscribe, leave a review, and find more episodes of Voices of Inspiration wherever you listen.

Photos and moments from this journey are on social at @AmeliaOldOfficial, and you can learn more about my work at AmeliaOld.com . 

A roadside crowd in South Carolina. An ancient mountain path in Jingshan. A scarf passed hand to hand and a cup of whisked tea that turns strangers into friends. This episode traces those moments to show how small, intentional acts can travel farther than we expect.

In this episode, Amelia sits down with Zhang Hongyan, a second-generation tea practitioner who returned home to preserve the art of Diancha and open a tea-focused homestay at the base of Jingshan Mountain. She shares how the Jingshan Tea Banquet, rooted in the Tang and Song dynasties, brings together Zen philosophy, etiquette, and presence. Beyond ceremony, she founded Songyun Tea Affairs, a women-led collective that has trained and employed dozens of local women, creating opportunity while keeping cultural heritage alive in the village.

We also step into Jingshan Temple and the living culture that surrounds it. Amelia reflects on wearing Hanfu with care, the difference between appropriation and appreciation, and why heritage here isn’t preserved behind glass. It’s practiced every day, in temples, teahouses, and family rituals. 

This episode is sponsored by China Eastern Airlines, who supported my travel to Changxing, China. You can learn more about their routes and destinations at: https://us.ceair.com/en/

In this episode:
• The origins of the Jingshan Tea Banquet
• The art of Diancha and why it still matters
• Building a women-led tea collective
• Visiting Jingshan Temple and wearing Hanfu with respect
• How one cup of tea can change a life

If this conversation spoke to you, share it with someone who could use a reminder to slow down. Subscribe, leave a review, and find more episodes of Voices of Inspiration wherever you listen.

Photos and moments from this journey are on social at @AmeliaOldOfficial, and you can learn more about my work at AmeliaOld.com . 

Keywords

Jingshan Tea Banquet, Diancha, Jingshan Temple, Hanfu, Zhang Hongyan, Songyun Tea Affairs, Buddhist monks Walk for Peace, women in tea culture, Chinese tea ceremony, Voices of Inspiration podcast

In this episode of Voices of Inspiration, Amelia Old travels to Yinxing Guli Homestay in Changxing County, Zhejiang, China, located near the famous gingko tree corridor.

Amelia spends the afternoon with the homestay owner, experiencing a traditional herbal tea bath and moxibustion therapy, and reflecting on how challenging it can be to sit still without distractions. The owner shares how she transitioned from the tea industry to running the homestay, the meaning behind the name Yinxing Guli (“ginkgo hometown”), and the everyday values that guide her work.

Photos and video from this visit are available on the YouTube version of this episode.

Topics Covered

• Yinxing Guli Homestay in Changxing, China
• Herbal tea baths and moxibustion therapy
• Ginkgo corridor and seasonal travel in Zhejiang
• Journey from tea to hospitality
• Family values and daily life at a rural homestay
• Learning to slow down while traveling

This episode is sponsored by China Eastern Airlines, who supported my travel to Changxing, China. You can learn more about their routes and destinations at: https://us.ceair.com/en/

For more information about Yinxing Guli Homestay and planning your own visit, you can find their listing here:
https://us.trip.com/hotels/changxing-hotel-detail-9055720/yinxing-guli-hotel/ 

Keywords:

Yinxing Guli Homestay, Changxing China, Zhejiang travel, ginkgo corridor China, herbal tea bath, moxibustion therapy, rural homestay China, Voices of Inspiration podcast, travel wellness China

In this episode of Voices of Inspiration, host Amelia Old visits Yunqishe Homestay in Changxing County, Zhejiang Province, to meet Mr. Fang Xiaoping, a fifth-generation practitioner of Wumei, a smoked plum tradition that has been part of this region for more than 500 years.

The episode features Mr. Fang speaking in Chinese with translation by Joanna, allowing his voice to remain part of the conversation while making his story accessible. Together they discuss how Wumei is produced, how rural homestays are growing across Zhejiang, and what it takes to run a small, twenty-room property outside major cities.

Amelia also reflects on what it was like to move through daily life while relying on translation, and how that experience reshaped the way she paid attention to people and conversations around her.

Topics in this episode include:

• the history and process behind Wumei
• rural homestays and short-stay travel from cities like Shanghai and Hangzhou
• balancing tradition with modern hospitality
• staffing challenges in the countryside
• plans to build a working farm and complete production chain
• what visitors take home beyond photos

SUPPORT THE SHOW

If you enjoy the episode, a rating or review on your preferred podcast platform helps more listeners find the show.

More information about Voices of Inspiration, along with episode updates and newsletter sign-ups, is available at ameliaold.com and voicesofinspirationpodcast.com 

This episode of Voices of Inspiration takes place in Miaoxi, a village in the Huzhou region of Zhejiang Province, China.

The episode follows time spent at a family-run homestay and a conversation with the owner, Wang Ying, about daily life, hosting travelers, and her transition from working in finance to welcoming guests into her home. Through the discussion, the episode captures moments from the property, walks through tea-covered mountains near the village, and the small details that shaped the experience of staying in rural Zhejiang.

Rather than focusing on major landmarks, the episode centers on place, pace, and everyday life outside of China’s largest cities.

KEY TOPICS

• Staying at a family-run homestay in Miaoxi, Zhejiang
• Time spent walking through tea-covered mountains near the village
• Daily life and seasonal rhythms in rural Zhejiang
• A conversation with Wang Ying about hosting travelers
• Family involvement in running the property
• Navigating language barriers while traveling
• Small tools that helped simplify travel logistics
• Beginning the homestay-focused portion of the China series

BOOKING INFORMATION

Listeners interested in staying at the homestay featured in this episode can find details and booking information at the link below:

Huzhou Miaoxi Slide Meisu
https://www.trip.com/hotels/v2/huzhou-hotel-detail-44559210/huzhou-miaoxi-slide-meisu/

The property is located approximately 16 km from Huzhou Railway Station and is near local attractions including Elves Alley, Xisaishan Holiday Resort, and Huzhou Giraffe Manor.

SUPPORT THE SHOW

If you enjoy the episode, a rating or review on your preferred podcast platform helps more listeners find the show.

More information about Voices of Inspiration, along with episode updates and newsletter sign-ups, is available at ameliaold.com and voicesofinspirationpodcast.com

In this episode, Amelia looks back on her time in Shanghai, the first stop on a recent project in China. Outside Yu Garden, she found herself thinking about her childhood and how different her sense of the world is today. She describes her visit to Jing’an Temple, an afternoon in Peace Park where people gathered to dance, and the way Shanghai’s neighborhoods shift from one block to the next. She also shares her time at the observatory with its wide city views and a night river cruise along the Bund that offered a completely different look at the skyline.

Amelia also talks through the practical side of her trip — the apps that made communication simple, the tools that helped her stay connected, and why Shanghai felt surprisingly comfortable to navigate on her own.

This episode lays the foundation for where the series is headed next and why Shanghai was the right place to begin.

This episode is sponsored by China Eastern Airlines. Visit their official site for routes and booking information. https://us.ceair.com/en/

After an unexpected year-long break, Amelia returns to Voices of Inspiration with a candid look at why the past year pulled her in a different direction and how she found her way back to the mic. In this episode, she reflects on a year shaped by significant challenges, including a family emergency that required her full attention. She also reflects on completing 100 Things to Do in South Carolina Before You Die and what’s ahead for 2026.

Now that the manuscript is turned in and life feels steadier, Amelia is back behind the mic with a clearer understanding of why these conversations matter and why this season felt like the right time to return.

This season includes interviews with homestay owners in China, specifically in Shanghai and Zhejiang, whose work supports their communities through local hiring, cultural preservation, and the use of homegrown or locally sourced products.

Whether you’ve been listening from the start or tuning in for the first time, this episode brings you up to date and sets the direction for what’s ahead.

Explore the strength and unity of Bryson City, North Carolina, as Erin Smith, owner of Humanité Boutique, shares her journey as a small business owner during challenging times. Learn how the community came together after Hurricane Helene, the lessons that shaped their recovery, and the impact of supporting one another. Erin’s story reveals the importance of connection, resilience, and creating a meaningful legacy, all set against the backdrop of Bryson City’s natural beauty and holiday charm.

Bryson City, NC, is a mountain town in Western North Carolina that blends resilience, community spirit, and festive traditions. In this episode, Sarah Conley, Executive Director of the Swain County TDA, shares how Bryson City navigated the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. From using social media to keep residents informed to preparing for winter visitors, the town demonstrates its strength and ability to adapt in every situation.

As the holiday season approaches, Bryson City transforms into a cozy winter retreat. Highlights include the Polar Express train ride, a family favorite that brings holiday stories to life, and the dazzling Christmas Light Spectacular that lights up the town. Visitors can enjoy warm hospitality, stunning mountain views, and countless opportunities to make unforgettable holiday memories.

This episode dives into what makes Bryson City truly special—its resilience, holiday magic, and the way it welcomes visitors with open arms, no matter the season.

https://www.explorebrysoncity.com/

Beech Mountain, North Carolina, Tourism Marketing Director Armando Garcia shares the story of how this resilient mountain community responded to Hurricane Helene, with heartfelt support from both locals and visitors. As winter approaches, Beech Mountain is prepared to welcome travelers to its snowy slopes and scenic trails. In this episode, Armando provides valuable travel tips on how visitors can support nearby North Carolina communities, making for a winter getaway filled with both adventure and community spirit.