Katherine Olson takes a photo in rural China. [Photo/Tide News]

A video series about an American influencer living in a village in Hangzhou's Yuhang district has gone viral, drawing more than 100 million views and offering global audiences a fresh look at rural China.

The series follows the daily life of American content creator Katherine Olson, better known online as Yang Lizi, a Gen Z influencer with more than 1 million followers.

Since moving to Baizhang town in Yuhang in 2023, Katherine has documented village life through bilingual videos. Her content captures bamboo forests, local markets, riverside cycling routes and lively community activities, presenting an authentic and relatable image of rural China to overseas audiences.

Originally introduced to Baizhang through an environmental organization, Katherine rented a countryside home near Shijing Mountain and quickly embraced the slower-paced lifestyle. She described the village as matching the rural life she had imagined growing up in the United States.

Beyond filming, she has also become deeply involved in local community life. In 2024, she served as an environmental promoter for Baizhang town, helping organize eco-friendly cultural workshops using recycled materials. She also shared sustainable farming ideas from the US and collaborated with villagers on straw-based creative projects.

Local residents have welcomed her warmly, often sharing homegrown vegetables and inviting her to community gatherings. Her videos, filled with everyday interactions and rural scenery, have resonated strongly with Chinese and foreign viewers alike.

Katherine shares her life in rural China. [Photo/Tide News]