The thousand-year-old ancient village by the Tongtian River that -forgets time- in the lens of -Waiguoren-

Nestled along the banks of the Tongtian River, the Yiquka Mountain Lodge offers a unique glimpse into a millennia-old village. The lodge’s design, featuring traditional Tibetan watchtowers built from stone, harmonizes beautifully with the majestic mountains surrounding it, as if it naturally emerged from the earth.

In the spirit of adventure, a group of international influencers recently embarked on a journey to Kela Village, located in the picturesque Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. This hidden gem sits 3,800 meters above sea level, about 105 kilometers from the city of Yushu, and offers an abundance of ancient architecture, historical sites, and intangible cultural heritage.

As the warm afternoon sun bathed the landscape, the influencers wandered along the stone paths of the lodge, making their way to the gurgling stream in the valley. Along the way, they even participated in a whimsical activity—collecting cow dung on a pasture where the grass was tinged with yellow, embracing a part of rural life.

Videographer Lee Barrett shared his experience of filming alongside local herders. “Dried cow dung can be used for cooking fuel, supporting a cycle of sustainability. The people here cherish and rely on their yaks, utilizing every part of the animal,” he explained.

Lee engaged with local artisans to learn the traditional craft of forging Tibetan knives, a process that evoked memories of his own experiences in the UK. “Creating the perfect shape from steel requires repeated heating and cooling, consuming vast amounts of time and energy,” he reflected. “While we’ve lost many of these crafts over the years, the skills here remain wonderfully intact. A Tibetan knife embodies a family’s century-old wisdom, something no factory can replicate or price.”

Swedish artisan Wang Ruihua, previously known as Miriam, also immersed herself in local traditions, crafting a delicate bracelet from yak and sheep wool under the guidance of local women. “After living in Qinghai with my husband for several years, I’ve come to see that every village has its own unique identity, even when they’re close to each other,” she said. “This place feels both tranquil and vibrant, and what I’ve captured in my video is unprecedented.”

Italian content creator Valentina took on the role of a “day-in-the-life” blogger, exclaiming, “The most enjoyable part was roasting barley and making tsampa. I even experimented with combining it with coffee or chocolate—such a novel experience!”

With a keen eye for wildlife, British documentary filmmaker Adam Mcilmoyle spent a day patiently observing black-necked cranes, as well as encountering marmots, wild goats, and yaks along the way. “Seeing a Tibetan fox was exhilarating! The variety and magnitude of wildlife here are spectacular,” he shared, noting that he filled his camera memory in just an afternoon. “My goal is to showcase the genuine, unfiltered beauty of this place so that viewers understand why it’s worth visiting.”

Established in 2019, the Yiquka Mountain Lodge has since evolved to offer a variety of authentic rural experiences, including horseback riding, bonfire parties, mountain biking, caring for small animals, and workshops on traditional crafts.

Tazhuoma, the lodge’s founder and a fifth-generation resident of Kela Village, expressed her commitment to preserving the village’s history. “The ancient architecture and traditional crafts carry the stories of our past, and I aim to protect and utilize them, keeping their essence alive,” she passionately stated.

As night fell, the air filled with the sound of accordion music and the gentle strumming of songs that echoed a sense of nostalgia. Gathered around a bonfire, villagers laughed and danced, their spirits high.

“I lost track of time here at Yiquka,” Lee Barrett remarked. “The villagers live in harmony with nature, rising with the sun and resting at sunset, sustaining a simple and fundamental way of life, fully enjoying what the earth offers.”

He noted that for those caught up in the hustle and bustle of city life, visiting this place provides a temporary respite—a chance to unwind and feel fulfilled. “My filming perspective captures a moment of breathing space, hoping to resonate with viewers and highlight the beauty of the local lifestyle.”

This season of “Traveling through Qinghai,” organized by the Qinghai Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and the China News Service Qinghai Branch, invited several foreign content creators to experience the natural beauty of Yushu and immerse themselves in its pastoral culture, documenting the rich and unspoiled essence of the region.