After preparing for two years by reading books and training his voice, Kaichen was chosen as one of the five children to travel across four provinces to see the unprecedented changes taking place in some rural areas that once experienced extreme poverty.

The shooting lasted for nearly 50 days, with one parent allowed to accompany each child during their spare time.

The other four children, ages 8 and 9, were from Beijing, Tianjin, Xi'an in Shaanxi province and Mudanjiang in Heilongjiang province.

Kaichen, who is from Shenzhen, Guangdong province, was selected as the team leader, since he was the oldest among the children.

"Happiness is an abstract yet perceptual concept. We wish that all children can perceive happiness through journeys to meet people and hear their stories about leading happy lives," says Si Xiaofeng, chief director of Wildest Vacation.

While many middle-class families travel during holidays, Si says most rarely go to far-flung areas that have undergone huge transformations, thanks to the poverty-alleviation efforts.

"The show will help young audiences to see China as a vast and beautiful country," Si says, adding that one of its goals is to raise families' interest of domestic tourism.

The children's first stop was Chixi, a village at the foot of the Taimu Mountains in Fuding in East China's Fujian province.