Village that beat occupation and floods plans tourist boom

Li Yufeng, an employee at the lingzhi mushroom garden in Hongqi, checks the growth of the fungus in a greenhouse. CHENG SI/CHINA DAILY

Resurgent tourism

"We cooperate with 327 travel agencies nationwide, in places such as Shanghai and Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces," he said.

In 2011, just one year after the devastating flood, 175,000 trips were made to the village, while the number rose to 450,000 last year.

Jin, the villager whose family home was destroyed, has worked as a guide for Chen's tour company since 2013.

"I've seen the huge change the village experienced after the flood. Tourism has reinvigorated this once-dying village," she said.

"Last year, I received about 200 visitors per shift. I think tourism is a promising industry, and our village is fully prepared to seize opportunities for prosperity."

However, Chen said tourism is being hampered by a number of problems.

"The road through the village is no longer the only way to get to Changbai Mountain, while a newly opened high-speed railway goes to the Changbaishan National Nature Reserve. We are facing a challenge attracting visitors," he said.

"Accommodations are another headache. We cooperate with 36 households, who can offer lodgings for visitors when needed, but conditions in the homestays have to be improved to appeal to more tourists."

Yang, Antu's director of culture and tourism, said the local government is making great efforts to build the village into a must-see attraction for people heading to Changbai Mountain, rather than just a stopping point.

"We are planning to build a campsite for independent travelers to facilitate their trip to the village. We will also offer Korean culture and customs," he said.

"The village will be a key point in the future 'one-hour' tourism circle of Changbai Mountain," he added, referring to moves aimed at ensuring that every major tourist spot around the mountain will be accessible within a maximum of 60 minutes."