Aranya: A Seaside Retreat for China’s “Lie Flat” Generation

The coastal community of Aranya, located about 2.5 hours from Beijing by high-speed rail, is attracting young Chinese with its minimalist design and tranquil atmosphere. These individuals, known as the “lie flat” generation, who have opted out of the competitive rat race similar to the “quiet quitting” trend in the U.S., are drawn to the spaciousness, slow pace of life, and spiritual elements reflected in the architecture, which often blends seamlessly with the sand and sea. Some visit for a day of taking selfies amidst some of China’s most visually appealing structures, while others come to admire its immaculate order and relax in an Airbnb or a room with a plunge pool at the recently opened Hidden Place Hotel. Foreigners originally developed the town of Beidaihe in the early 20th century, and Aranya’s residences often echo those early European villas. The secluded Lonely Library, designed by internationally acclaimed architect Dong Gong, attracts readers who spend long days at seats overlooking the vast ocean. His chapel-like Community Hall, with its steep, pointed white roof, sits on the water’s edge, appearing ready to set sail at any moment, while the dome-shaped spaces of the Dune Art Museum are submerged in the beach. Recent additions include the steel tower of the Lighthouse of Wishes and the aptly named Cloud Center, a multi-purpose venue hosting art, literature, theater, music, and fashion events. The chic enclave even hosted a Louis Vuitton menswear show last year.

Buy your copy of the World’s Greatest Places issue