Seven villages representing a cross-section of China’s vast rural areas have been recognised by the UN
Seven villages in China were recognized among the Best Tourism Villages 2024 by the United Nations World Tourism Organization at its 122nd session of the Executive Council on November 15th in Cartagena, Colombia. Now, China has 15 villages on the list.
Selected for their blend of cultural preservation and sustainable tourism, the villages are: Azheke in Yunnan province, Guanyang in Fujian province, Shibadong in Hunan province, Taoping in Sichuan province, Xiaogang in Anhui province, Xitou in Zhejiang province, and Yandunjiao in Shandong province.
Stretching from the highlands and the plains of central China, to the coastal islands of the east, the seven villages represent a cross-section of China’s vast rural areas and its varied culture. They encompass different communities including the Hakka, Miao and Hani people. Each of them presents a distinct perspective of China’s multifaceted identity.
New Momentum for Rural Development
For example, Yunnan’s Azheke Village, nestled in the heart of the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has embraced a unique approach to tourism development. Villagers have contributed resources such as terraces, houses and traditional ways of life, creating a model of collective participation and shared prosperity.
Shibadong Village in Hunan serves as a landmark of China’s poverty reduction efforts. It is the birthplace of the concept of “targeted poverty alleviation” — a key strategy that enabled China to lift nearly 100 million people out of poverty. By integrating culture and tourism to drive new momentum for rural development, the once-impoverished village now showcases China’s rural revitalization success to the world.
Anhui’s Xiaogang, a village where China’s rural reform began over four decades ago, is another location making strides on its new journey toward achieving rural revitalization. Today, visitors can witness the profound changes China has undergone by exploring this village.
Rural tourism has emerged as a pivotal economic driver in China. Villages have welcomed 2.25 billion visitors in the initial three quarters of this year, yielding 1.32 trillion yuan in revenue — an approximate 10 percent rise compared to the previous year, as reported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Written by Chen Wang, post design by Yuma, additional reporting by China Daily and Xinhua.
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