The Real Rural China: A Traditional Wedding in Northern Village

What is like living in northern rural China? Hi, I'm Zaza. Today I'm in a rural village for a wedding. Let me show you what life is like here and how a traditional wedding unfolds. Heating with firewood is the most traditional way and is still a common sight in rural villages today. In China's rural villages, the vibe is everything at a wedding. Hiring a dance troupe is a surefire way to liven things up. Welcome to the newlyweds' place. It's where everyone registers for the celebration. Meet the village chef. He's in charge of feeding a crowd of 200 plus today. Welcome to the couple's new home. This is where their journey as a family begins. This is a local twist. People get their faces painted to keep the party atmosphere going strong. Everyone registers at this spot and gives their monetary gift to wish the newlyweds well. In northern rural villages, the typical cash gift is around $30. Take a look at what rural China looks like today. Chinese opera has a rich history. It was one of the main ways ordinary people had fun back in the day. It's 10 a.m. now. On one side, the stage is alive with performances, while on the other, the kitchen crew is racing to get the banquet ready. You can't have a proper Chinese celebration without drums. It's the sound of joy meant to energize the crowd and mark the happiest of occasions. In rural China, old houses stand abandoned while new self-built homes rise alongside them. Meet the firecrackers. The loud bangs are a must for any big celebration. Now we move to the second part of the celebration. A lively procession parades through the entire village, beating drums and gongs to announce the union of the newlyweds. Well, that made me jump. It's 11 a.m. now. The banquet is set to begin in exactly one hour. What a pity, the official wedding ceremony was already held in the city, so there won't be a formal wedding procession here today. Next time, I'll capture the whole process of a rural village wedding from start to finish. This is my aunt's new house in the rural village. Let's explore the design of modern rural homes in China. My aunt has always lived in the rural village, making a living by farming. As society has progressed, life in the Chinese rural villages has improved significantly. When she's not busy with farm work, she does some handicrafts, plays mahjong, and enjoys tea.