Robert and his son ride on a countryside road in Baoding, Hebei province on Saturday.[Photo by Yao Lin/For chinadaily.com.cn]
An English teacher from New Zealand recently explored the beautiful countryside of Baoding in North China’s Hebei province by cycling with his family.
Along with more than 100 cycling enthusiasts, Robert John Murray and his family participated in the “Riding in Baoding” event on Saturday, experiencing the natural beauty, rich culture and prosperity of rural areas in Baoding located about 150 kilometers southwest of downtown Beijing.
They also visited scenic places such as Ranzhuang Cultural and Tourism Town, Haomeng Linshui Holiday Resort and Jiahe Farm, all featuring countryside scenery and folk arts.
“I’ve been in Baoding for almost 10 years and have witnessed the rapid development here, especially in the rural areas where people are kind and happily living a well-off life,” said the 56-year-old Robert.
Robert came to Baoding in 2015 and has worked at Hebei Finance University as an English teacher. He also married a Chinese woman and the couple has two children, a boy and a girl.
During his time in Baoding, he has enjoyed participating in various activities to immerse himself in Chinese culture, such as exploring traditional Chinese medicine, celebrating a special Mid-Autumn Festival, and discovering the innovative progress of China’s textile industry.
For this time, Robert and his family rode along the countryside roads, making stops along the way from time to time and enjoying magnificent views over the open countryside. “After experiencing this, I hope to share the stories of the countryside and its people with the world,” he said.
The “Riding in Baoding” event to explore the beautiful countryside will be conducted from March to July, visiting over 70 picturesque villages in 20 counties or districts of Baoding, according to the local government.
The activities include exploring the countryside’s natural beauty, visiting historical sites, uncovering village stories and sampling local delicacies, showcasing the unique features and charm of the beautiful countryside and achievements of rural vitalization.