Ancient village in Yunhe becomes hot summer resort

Cool place: Kenggen village sits at an altitude of more than 1,000 meters. [Photo/Tide News]

Kenggen village, nestling in the Yunhe Terrace Scenic Area, administered by Lishui city – located in East China's Zhejiang province – is an ancient oasis that offers a breath of fresh air and a cool respite for tourists from the summer heat.

With a history of over 800 years, the village sits at an altitude of more than 1,000 meters. The rustic houses blend in with the surrounding terraces, creating an inspiring panoramic view.

According to Zhang Qihu, the deputy director of the village Party committee, Kenggen has witnessed remarkable change since 2003, when Zhejiang launched the Green Rural Revival Program to upgrade its rural infrastructure and environment.

In 2011, as part of the terrace scenic area development, Kenggen added  attractions such as old tea houses, stone archways and terrace walkways.

The road also reached the village entrance, making it easier for villagers and tourists to travel there.

Tourists stroll along the walkways in the Yunhe Terrace Scenic Area. [Photo/Tide News]

Zhang Qihu returned to his hometown then and opened a homestay. He says the village is about 7 C cooler than the county seat. "Every year in the scorching summer, tourists from all over the country flock here to enjoy the cool," he said.

In recent years, Kenggen has become a renowned homestay village that attracts more and more young people to start businesses there.

One of them is Lyu Jiaojian from Zhejiang's Jinhua city, who has opened a handmade soap workshop in the village.

"The sunshine, air and water here are different from the city. The vegetation in Kenggen village is lush," she said.

"Plants from different seasons can be made into handmade soap, which can also reflect seasonal changes. This is my ideal rural life," Lyu added.