Booming homestays drive rural revitalization in east China's Huangshan

This aerial photo taken on May 1, 2023 shows tourists taking boats on Taiping Lake in Huangshan, east China's Anhui Province. (Photo by Shen Guo/Xinhua)

Located by the picturesque Taiping Lake in Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, a charming homestay painted in white stands out amid the antique stone houses surrounding it.

In the homestay's peaceful courtyard, founder Mei Pingyan and her family buy freshly picked sesame from local farmers. They pay an extra yuan (about 0.14 U.S. dollars) per kilo compared to the market price to provide additional benefits to the farmers.

In local workshops, these high-quality sesame seeds will be made into delicious pastries and sold to customers in Beijing and other places around China, according to Mei.

"We leverage online platforms to offer local specialties to our previous guests, who often enthusiastically recommend them to their friends," Mei explained, adding that the homestay has purchased approximately 2 million yuan worth of locally sourced produce and has generated nearly 5 million yuan in sales this year.

Despite Huangshan City's renown for breathtaking scenic spots like Huangshan Mountain, many rural areas in the region have historically missed out on the benefits of the mature tourism industry. However, in recent years, the proliferation of homestays has breathed new life into remote villages, offering fresh opportunities for rural revitalization.

According to He Yi, the mayor of Huangshan, the city boasts over 3,100 homestays, attracting more than 3.3 million tourists in 2022 and generating an overall output value of 6.5 billion yuan. "The booming homestay industry has not only attracted people, capital, and information to flow into villages but has also inspired entrepreneurs to establish businesses in rural areas," He emphasized.

Driven by a deep connection to her roots, Mei and her husband returned to Shuxi Village in Huangshan in 2018. In less than a year, they transformed their former farmhouse into a modern homestay.

Their vision goes beyond providing a mere resting place for travelers. "We aim to make this homestay a second home for our guests, inviting them to stay longer. We share the village's history and guide them through local activities like tea leaf picking, bamboo shoot harvesting, and experiencing the mesmerizing dragon lantern dance," said Mei. This immersive approach has fostered lasting bonds with the guests, breathing life into the once-sleepy village.

With more and more young people returning to run homestays, a revitalization plan is underway in Shuxi Village.

"In collaboration with the local government, we plan to acquire over 20 abandoned houses from local farmers, transforming them into new ventures such as lakeside restaurants, youth hostels, bookstores, and shops for local produce."

Mei is not alone in her commitment to utilizing the region's rich natural and cultural resources. Many homestay founders in Huangshan are dedicated to showcasing the unique scenery and lifestyle of local villages.

In Yixian County, Huangshan City, a homestay fashioned from a dormant 200-year-old ancient house has become a platform for showcasing and disseminating Hui culture originating from Anhui Province.

"Experiencing local folk customs is a primary reason for people choosing homestays. We aim to reveal the distinctive charm of Hui-style architecture, opera, and crafts through our homestay," said Huang Zhiyong, founder of the homestay.

Since its opening in 2018, the homestay has organized numerous local cultural activities for guests, including fish lantern drawing, Hui Opera performances, and tours of Hui-style architecture. The revitalized old house has also created job opportunities for over 20 local villagers and prompted the local government to enhance the village's infrastructure.

"The significance of a homestay goes beyond mere investment, it's about leading and driving a trend," Huang said, highlighting that revitalizing idle village houses through homestay development holds greater meaning than pursuing short-term profits.