Back to Field (2017)
A beloved Chinese reality series where celebrities trade city life for peaceful rural living, farming, cooking, and welcoming guests across China's countryside.
Back to Field - Series Information
- Original Title: 向往的生活
- First Air Year: 2017
- Last Air Year: 2025
- Created by: 张航希, Zhengyu Wang et al.
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Reality
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (100 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 9
- Number of Episodes: 106
- Status: Returning Series
- Original Language: Chinese
- Spoken Languages: Mandarin
- Networks: Hunan Television, Mango TV
- Alternative Titles: Back to Field (US), Xiàngwǎng de shēnghuó (CN)
- Production Companies: Hunan Broadcasting System, 合心传媒, Hunan TV
- Production Countries: China
Back to Field - Plot
The show documents the simplistic lifestyle of living away from the bustling city centers. Each season takes place in a different rural part of China. The cast members are only provided with the basic life necessities and have to take care of everything else such as cooking their own meals and building their own furniture. To "buy" different cooking ingredients and other tools, they have to complete certain tasks assigned by the production crew, such as planting and harvesting crops. Different guests join the cast in each episode and help out with the daily chores. The goal of the program is to bring the audience along on a slower pace of life and to illustrate the joys of a simple lifestyle.
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Back to Field - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- 张航希
- Zhengyu Wang
- Chen Gezhou
Main Cast
- Huang Lei
- He Jiong
- Peng Yuchang
- Zhang Zifeng
- Zhang Yixing
- Henry Lau
- Chen He
- Mao Buyi
- Wang Xun
- Sha Yi
Executive Producers
- Zhengyu Wang
Back to Field - FAQs
Where can you watch Back to Field online?
Back to Field airs on Hunan Television and streams on Mango TV in China. International viewers can check JustWatch for regional availability. Some episodes may also be accessible through fan-subtitled platforms, though official international streaming options remain limited outside of China.
What is Back to Field about?
Back to Field documents Chinese celebrities embracing a slower, simpler rural lifestyle away from city life. Set in a different countryside location each season, cast members cook their own meals, build furniture, farm crops, and complete tasks to earn ingredients, while welcoming celebrity guests each episode.
Who are the main hosts of Back to Field?
The series features a rotating ensemble of well-known Chinese entertainers. Core hosts across seasons include actor and chef Huang Lei, TV personality He Jiong, actors Peng Yuchang and Zhang Zifeng, pop star Zhang Yixing, singer-actor Henry Lau, Chen He, Mao Buyi, Wang Xun, and Sha Yi.
How many seasons does Back to Field have?
Back to Field has 9 seasons plus a specials collection, totalling 106 episodes. Each season spans approximately 10 to 14 episodes and is set in a distinct rural location across China. Season 8 was titled "The Stage of Life," and Season 9 is currently in production.
Is Back to Field still ongoing or has it ended?
Back to Field is a returning series and is still in production as of 2025. The show has been running since 2017 and continues to air on Hunan Television and Mango TV, making it one of China's longest-running and most beloved rural lifestyle variety programs.
Who created the Chinese reality show Back to Field?
Back to Field was created by 张航希, Zhengyu Wang, and Chen Gezhou. The series is produced by Hunan Broadcasting System, 合心传媒, and Hunan TV, and has been broadcast on Hunan Television and its streaming platform Mango TV since its debut in 2017.
What makes Back to Field different from other variety shows?
Unlike competitive variety formats, Back to Field embraces a calm, unhurried pace. Celebrities live authentically in rural China — growing food, cooking from scratch, and building daily routines. The show's appeal lies in its warmth, genuine camaraderie, and the meditative contrast it offers to fast-paced modern urban life.
What are shows similar to Back to Field?
Viewers who enjoy Back to Field may also like Chill. Hike. Camping (2022), Boyscation (2022), Home Alone (2013), and Norwegian Cozy (2011), all of which share a similar slow-living or nature-immersive format. These shows celebrate simplicity, outdoor life, and relaxed group dynamics.
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