“Vlogging my lives of two homes”: Chinese Houniao and their place-making in the online–offline nexus

Abstract

This study examines how Chinese older seasonal migrants (Houniao, 候鸟) employ vlogging on Douyin (Chinese TikTok) to create hybrid digital–physical spaces reshaping their mobility experiences. Through qualitative thematic analysis of purposively sampled vlogs (N = 121) collected over two migration periods, we identify three interconnected themes of digital place-making: identity construction countering decline narratives of aging; community-building through linguistic strategies; and wellness engagement through therapeutic documentation. Findings reveal how older adults strategically appropriate a youth-dominated platform to document seasonal journeys between northern cities and southern destinations. These vlogging practices exemplify “digital place-making” where physical travel and digital representation mutually constitute meaningful therapeutic landscapes. The study demonstrates how older adults subvert ageist assumptions about digital capabilities while creating alternative representations of aging that emphasize agency and vitality rather than decline.