When the Chinese tradition dictates that the elderly live close to their children or even with them, it means family should be their main support, no matter spiritually or materially. Many elderly people, especially the urban elderly, are now willing to stay away from their children and live with a group of like-minded people to pursue the happiness of their age and the quality of life.
Tong is among those who are living life large in their golden years in a senior apartment. Here, residents from different parts of China, aged between 56 and 102, lead a dignified life after retirement. Their modern lifestyle challenges China's traditional belief that the elderly must stay close to their children to be taken care of.