A tourist enjoys Chinese folk culture during the Spring Festival, holding the head of a dragon, the prop of a local dragon dance team, in the Xuanwu Lake Park in Nanjing, on February 13, 2024.

Olivier Grandjean is from France and Switzerland and Greg Wollner from Canada but they proudly call themselves “Beijingers”. They’ve been living in China for decades, have traveled extensively here, and enjoy a colorful life. As China’s visa-free transit policy draws more tourists, they share their stories with China Today, the changes they have seen and why they call it home.

Grandjean is a television host, producer, and actor who is loved by his audience for his humor and relaxed hosting style. He has co-produced multiple TV shows, such as Olivier’s Journey to China and My Travel Diary in Xinjiang, presenting China’s development and ordinary Chinese people’s lives to audiences at home and abroad. In 1999, with the debut of the French sports and entertainment program Inter-cities (Beijing-Paris version) on Chinese television screens, he also made an appearance as a referee.

While working in China from 2005, Grandjean gradually fell in love with the country and in 2018, he and his family decided to live here. From 2017 to 2018, invited by China Intercontinental Communication Center, he shot the 52-episode Olivier’s Journey to China, going from big cities to small towns, and from villages to mountains, which totally changed his view of China.

“China is very big and diverse. Those who know nothing about the country might have stereotypes against it. But actually here, the food, the climate, the culture…everything is different in different places. That’s the richness of the country. I became an ambassador of China in a lot of French newspapers, radio programs, and TV shows. I believe this is something people who are peace-loving and friendly would do and that’s the majority in the world,” he said.

To him, the ice world of Harbin in northeast China, the natural beauty and harmonious co-existence of different ethnic groups in Xinjiang in the northwest, and the ancient charm of cities like Xi’an and Nanjing are memorable.

He explains why he decided to live in Beijing after traveling to so many incredible places across China: “Beijing is a melting pot of people from different countries. There are diplomats, businessmen, and artists, as well as all kinds of shows, music performances, sports events, and opportunities here. Living in Beijing for me is living in China, but also living in an incredible international place. Every day, I meet people from other parts of the world. Besides, I have a lot of Chinese friends who are inclusive and friendly, they talk with each other and make friends with each other unlike many other places in the world. That’s the best thing I love about Beijing. I feel like a fish in water here.”

He praises the food too: “The food is so good here. There are like one million restaurants, each with different dishes to offer, so every day, we can discover something new. Every day is a surprise to me.”

Besides, as an avid cyclist, Grandjean finds it convenient to ride bicycles in Beijing with the many bicycle lanes and shared bikes in the streets.

He has been in different places during the Spring Festivals and seen a lot of differences in the celebrations from place to place. But he loves to stay in Beijing, meeting friends, going to temple fairs, and enjoying “fabulous dishes” at his Chinese friends’ homes from their hometown. “Like in Europe, it’s a special period when you cook more and better to entertain yourselves and your guests. I love that.”

His daughter and son lived in China with him for a long time, and now visit him from time to time. “We are all Beijingers. We were growing with China over the years. China was changing a lot. There was transformation in almost every corner of the society. China now is in our DNA,” he says.

Captain Greg Wollner (second left) and his team with the runner-up trophy at the First China Beijing Jinhai Lake Regatta, on August 27, 2023.

Unforgettable Spring Festival Traffic Experience 

Greg Wollner is president of the Chinese and Foreign Entrepreneurs Exchange branch of Beijing Foreign Cultural Trade Association that promotes cultural exchanges between the Chinese and the international community.

“For those who have never been to China, the top three places to visit on my list would be Beijing, Shanghai, and Sanya (in southern China). Beijing of course for the splendid historical sites, and good roast duck, Shanghai for experiencing the fashionable side of China to see the amazing flourishing business environment; then a resort around Sanya to enjoy luxury and rest. The tropical sunshine (there) is so relaxing,” Wollner told China Today.

In 1996, while working in the Republic of Korea, Wollner set foot in China for the first time to visit his sister in Beijing. After a brief stay, he was deeply attracted to the country and came back several times. In 1999, learning that Beijing Forestry University was looking for an English teacher, Wollner quit his job in South Korea and came here to start his new life.

During his 20-plus years of working and living in China, Wollner has been a college teacher, a TV anchor, a customer manager for a real estate company, and an amateur actor in various movies and TV dramas. The diverse work experience has not only enriched his life but also helped him make friends with people from various industries and countries.

Speaking of the changes in China over the past years, Wollner said, “In 1996, I traveled to China for the first time when the infrastructure was still very backward. Later on, with the rapid development of the country, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Today high-rise buildings are rising from the ground, various modern transportation vehicles are appearing in front of me, and people also live very fashionably,” he said.

He has now established a special bond with China: the vast land, the unique and charming traditional culture, and the friendliness and inclusiveness of the Chinese.

Beijing is his favorite city in China. “It has a strong cultural atmosphere. During my busiest years in the real estate industry, I often flew from Beijing to various parts of the country on business trips. Shanghai was my most frequently visited city. At that time, my boss hoped that I could move to Shanghai to help expand the business. He promised me better pay and free accommodation, but I refused,” Wollner said.

The Spring Festival that Wollner remembers most vividly is the one in 2007. “My friend and I decided to drive back from Beijing to her hometown Sichuan. We were very excited at the beginning, however, as we drove, we were stuck in the expressway with many other vehicles. Everyone was anxious to go home to get together with their family and friends. We got off the car, we chatted with strangers and comforted each other… Now, with the high-speed railway network, it is more convenient to travel, and such crazy things will never happen to me again, but it was so crazy and unforgettable,” he recalled.

During most Spring Festivals he now travels to Southeast Asia. When not traveling, he stays at home in Beijing to celebrate.

“As most of our neighbors return to their hometowns, we don’t have to worry about disturbing others when we sing loudly. The whole city is festive and you can see fireworks on New Year’s Eve.”