Tourism brings new look to ancient Quzhou village

Shuangxi village in Quzhou posts prosperous development thanks to rural tourism. [Photo/qz96811.com]

Shuangxi, an ancient village in Quzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, has seen prosperous development over the past years, according to local media.

The village, composed of three rural communities: Zhangxi, Siqiao and Dayuanshan, is renowned as world famous Jiuzhaigou Valley in Western Zhejiang.

"Shuangxi boasts abundant natural resources with green mountains and running streams and is perfect for developing rural tourism," said Wang Songhua, Party secretary of the village.

Take the Zhangxi rural community as an example, Zhangxi houses 82 ancient residences, most of which are vacant for their owners have worked or lived in cities, and is, therefore, suitable for overall development.

To date, Shuangxi has been home to 26 homestays and agritainment places, which are mainly in Siqiao rural community.

"As early as 2007, I gained management experience from friends and opened the first agritainment place in Siqiao," noted Liao Yuanhu, owner of the Yuanxi Farm Village.

After 10 years of development, his business has grown from a languished place to a role model of local rural tourism with an annual income of hundred thousand yuan.

Liao added that thanks to the provincial government's efforts in managing rivers and building beautiful villages, their village now has become increasingly more charming.

In September last year, Shuangxi launched a project of historical and cultural villages' construction, including restoring ancient paths, renovating ancient buildings, and establishing parking lots and squares.

Such a move made local villagers see the commercial opportunities of rural tourism.

Many Shuangxi villagers in other cities have returned to their hometown to invest in homestays and other rural related projects, attributing a lot to local economy.

In addition, a Hangzhou company has decided to help Zhangxi exploit their rural tourism and Shuangxi village will also establish a tourism operation company to regulate the management of homestays and agritainment places and accelerate local tourism development, according to Wang Songhua.

Shuangxi village is home to 26 homestays and agritainment places. [Photo/qz96811.com]