The ideal retirement: getting paid to fish

As countless young Chinese professionals grapple with the pressures of exhausting work schedules, a scenic area in Ningxiang city, Hunan province, is offering those aged 60 and above an unconventional job that many netizens have dubbed a "dream retirement lifestyle" — paid fishing.

At Tanhe Ancient Town, a park themed on the Zhou Dynasty (c. 11th century-256 BC) culture, senior residents are being hired to play the role of Jiang Ziya — a legendary Zhouera figure known for fishing without a hook — while earning 20 yuan ($3) per hour, complete with snacks, naps and leisurely chats.

The whimsical initiative, which went viral online as a "magical employment fantasy", has drawn over 1,000 applicants, including unexpected interest from younger generations, urban residents and people from outside the province.