Life on northern border suddenly rosy

HARBIN — Beihong village, the northernmost in China, is ablaze in autumn colors.

The farmers in this previously poverty-stricken area nestled in the Greater Hinggan Range in Mohe city, Heilongjiang province, now lead rosy lives running homestays for urbanites who have poured into the village in recent years.

"The peaceful views and comfy homestay set in the woods made me feel relaxed," said one tourist surnamed Zhang, who had driven from Shenzhen, Guangdong province, to enjoy a holiday in Beihong.

A decade ago, the village struggled with harsh environmental conditions, including floods during the summer, and extreme cold during the winter.

"The severe weather made it hard for us to make a living, and there were few visitors back then. Many villagers even considered relocating," said Zhang Cuihua, one of the farmers.

Changes started to take place in 2012. A slew of measures were introduced to help the village shake off poverty, including improvements to infrastructure and favorable policies to boost local tourism.

Tourism has gradually vitalized the economy and improved livelihoods in Beihong.

"We rely on our natural resources to attract tourists, and our unique scenery has brought travelers from all over the country," said Shi Jiyou, a village cadre.

A growing number of backpackers and self-driven tourists have begun visiting, bringing instant economic opportunities for the farmers.

"We serve dishes made of homegrown vegetables and food," said Zhang Chunbo, owner of a local homestay. Zhang started her own business with her husband a few years ago. Now, her rooms are fully booked during peak seasons.

Like Zhang, half the villagers in Beihong work in tourism-related businesses, running 72 family hotels and homestays.

In 2018, the last registered poverty-stricken households in Beihong bid farewell to poverty. Last year, per capita income exceeded 20,000 yuan ($2,880).

To ensure a sustainable increase in the income, the village has made further investments in maintaining roads and improving the environment.

"Poverty alleviation is not the destination of our efforts," said Shi, adding that leading villagers toward prosperity and happiness is the ultimate goal.

"We plan to plant new orchards, develop more local specialties and open an amusement park to attract more visitors and further vitalize our economy."