This is the hut Xiang Zi rented for 3000 yuan a year, and she also planted some vegetables in the yard. (Photo : CGTN )

Urbanization may be sweeping large parts of China, but some people still prefer to live in seclusion in far-flung areas, away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

One of them is a young woman who has left the city to live in a small hut on a mountain, choosing to lead a quiet and tranquil life. 

Xiang Zi first came to Zhongnan Mountain in 2013 after responding to a friend's invitation. She liked it so much that she decided to stay on.

Xiang Zi is a photographer. Occasionally visitors to the mountain would ask her to photograph them.

She would also leave the mountain for half a month every year to take photos for others, so as to earn an income.

She said to Assignment Asia: “Life is an experience. We all want to fulfill our dreams. Of course, there might be fears and burdens along the way, but we cannot let them stop us.”

But she would not encourage everyone to adopt her lifestyle: “Many people see only the beautiful side of mountain life. But after they arrive here, they find that there are all kinds of challenges that need to be tackled.”