(Entering China’s Rural Areas) New business formats revitalize a century-old village in Guangxi, and tourists from home and abroad set off a “check-in” trend

On October 20th, in Wuzhou, China, we explore the revitalization of a century-old village in Guangxi, which has recently become a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists.

During a recent visit, Taiwanese tourist Tang Xiaoni expressed her surprise at the transformation of Fuwan Village, a newly popular spot in Wuzhou. “The new business formats here have really opened my eyes,” she said while taking photos with friends. Surrounded by ancient architecture and rich history, she reflected on how this trip offered her a fresh perspective on rural life in mainland China.

“This place not only boasts stunning natural scenery but also has a warm cultural atmosphere,” Tang noted. As she strolled along the rural pathways, breathing in the fresh air and admiring the picturesque views, she felt a profound sense of relaxation, soaking in the tranquility and beauty of the countryside.

Located in the Daoshui Town of Longzhou District, Fuwan Village is steeped in history. In recent years, it’s successfully reinvented itself as a comprehensive rural tourism destination, blending eco-friendly leisure, sightseeing, and cultural education, achieving a remarkable transformation.

“Previously, the roads were poor, and economic development was lagging. Most young people went off to work elsewhere,” shared 61-year-old villager Mo Xianliang. He has lived in Fuwan for generations, and remembers when his family’s home was a dilapidated structure made of wooden boards, mud bricks, and tiles, constantly leaking. Today, Mo’s family enjoys their new three-story house, with over 300 acres of medicinal herbs cultivated on the nearby hillside—a “green bank” yielding an annual income of over 100,000 yuan.

“Our village’s strength is its excellent ecology. The villagers rely on the mountains for their livelihoods,” Mo explained. He highlighted efforts to encourage local residents to develop specialty industries such as herbal medicine, grapes, and mushrooms, as well as to promote agritourism right at their doorsteps.

“It’s been great to see tourism grow in the village. Many residents have opened their homes as agritourism spots, welcoming visitors and selling their home-crafted agricultural products,” noted village committee deputy director Li Shiyou. With the peak tourist season approaching, villagers are facing a “sweet trouble”—during busy days, local agritourism spots can host numerous groups of visitors, keeping them busier than ever.

Moreover, the influx of tourists has sparked growth in the village’s “homestay economy.” Residents are converting spare rooms or backyards into accommodations for travelers, thus creating local job opportunities.

Li Binghua is one such villager. Returning home in 2020 to start a business, he invested over a million yuan to transform his house into a three-story homestay for tourists. His establishment has grown to over 400 square meters, offering lodging and dining services.

“To promote our village’s development, we’re actively introducing new business formats, and establishing projects in rural tourism and specialty agriculture,” explained village committee director Mo Zhenhua. He elaborated on initiatives to develop courtyard gardens and scenic agricultural spots, as well as notable tourist attractions like ancient banyan trees and scenic walking paths, fostering local agricultural production such as grape farming and DIY vegetable gardens.

“We’re also improving infrastructure and village aesthetics to enhance the residents’ quality of life,” Mo added. Today, Fuwan Village attracts many domestic and international visitors, making it a sought-after leisure destination. The evolution of new business models has not only boosted the local economy but has also improved the lives of the villagers.

In recent years, Fuwan Village has earned several accolades, including titles like “China’s Beautiful Leisure Village,” “National Forest Village,” and “Five-Star Rural Tourism Area in Guangxi.” Currently, the village has developed a new economic model that incorporates sightseeing, grape picking, and agritourism, resulting in collective economic income exceeding 400,000 yuan in 2023.