How a new mode brings Podong out of poverty

"In recent years, people often say that they don't care about being ugly,” Zhang stated. “but are afraid of not having a hukouof Podong." This statement is accurate to the economical climate because only those with the hukouof Podong can become a shareholder.

Currently, there are eight village-owned collective enterprises and twelve cooperatives in Podong. Podong has met and achieved its goal of alleviating poverty through the "party branch + cooperative + farm base + farmers" motto. The per capita income of villagers has increased from 5,710 yuan to 12,690 yuan, which is far above average when compared to the average level of neighboring villages.

The development of Podong has been based on agriculture since many locals are only familiar with farming techniques. By developing a fruit picking experience, garden and ecological farm, Podong is turning the countryside into scenic spots.

To make the development more sustainable, Podong county focused on the alleviation of industrial poverty which aimed at increasing added value of food ingredients. Some well-known products from Podong are: Aunt Shui's salted duck eggs, ferns and morchella.

As a national level 3A tourist attraction, Podong attracts about 150,000 tourists every year. Ms He, 30, has been selling cold rice noodles on a corridor of an eco-farm for five years. Her business is popular in the area.“In the peak season, sometimes I can sell 500 to 600 bowls of cold rice noodles a day, and each one sells 5 yuan,” she said.