On October 20, 2023, in Wuzhou, a new trend is revitalizing a century-old village in Guangxi, attracting tourists from near and far.
During a recent visit to Fuwan Village, a popular spot in Wuzhou, Taiwan tourist Tang Xiaoni shared her impressions, stating, “The successful transformation of Fuwan Village is no accident; the new business models here truly amazed me.” Tang, exploring the village with friends, was enchanted by the ancient architecture and rich history. She noted, “This trip has given me a whole new perspective on rural life in the mainland.”
As she strolled along the village paths, breathing in the fresh air and soaking in the picturesque scenery, Tang felt relaxed and embraced the tranquility and beauty of the countryside.
Located in the Daoshui Town of Wuzhou’s Changzhou District, Fuwan Village is steeped in cultural heritage. In recent years, it has successfully transitioned into a composite rural tourism spot, combining ecological leisure, tourism, and cultural education, which has led to a significant transformation.
“Before, the roads here were poor, and the economy lagged; most young people had to leave for work,” said 61-year-old local resident Mo Xianliang, whose family has lived in the village for generations. He described their previous homes as shabby, built from wooden planks, mud bricks, and tiles, often leaking during the rainy season. However, Mo’s family now resides in a three-story building and cultivates over 300 acres of Chinese medicinal herbs, generating an annual income exceeding 100,000 RMB.
Mo emphasized the village’s ecological advantages, stating, “We rely on our mountains for resources. With a good ecological environment, villagers produce and sell agricultural products.” He explained that Fuwan Village encourages residents to develop specialty industries like medicinal herbs, grapes, and mushrooms, as well as operate their own homestays, allowing them to capitalize on the tourism appetite driven by their natural surroundings.
“The tourism has been booming in recent years; many villagers have opened homestays using their homes, welcoming visitors and selling their processed products,” said Li Shiyou, deputy director of the village committee. He added that with the arrival of the summer tourism season, villagers are experiencing a “sweet dilemma,” as popular homestays often have to accommodate multiple groups of guests in a single day, keeping everyone busy.
This influx of tourists has also spurred the development of the local “homestay economy.” Villagers have converted spare rooms or courtyards into accommodations, providing lodging for tourists and creating local job opportunities. One such villager is Li Binghua, who returned home in 2020 to start a business. With an investment of over one million yuan, he transformed his family home into a three-story homestay, which now spans over 400 square meters and offers both lodging and dining services.
“To promote our village’s development, we’ve actively introduced new business models, establishing various projects in rural tourism and specialty agriculture,” said Mo Zhenhua, chairman of the village committee. Over the years, Fuwan Village has developed tailored initiatives like “courtyard gardens” and “village gardens,” while constructing scenic points such as the Millennium Banyan Tree and a scenic wooden walkway. It has also nurtured grape planting bases and DIY fruit and vegetable activities, stimulating the local rural economy.
“We have also improved infrastructure, enhanced the village’s appearance, and elevated the quality of life for residents,” Mo added. Today, Fuwan Village is a sought-after destination for leisure travelers from around the globe, especially during holidays when it welcomes a continuous stream of visitors. The development of these new business models has not only boosted the village’s economy but also significantly improved the living conditions for the villagers.
In recent years, Fuwan Village has received numerous accolades, including “China’s Beautiful Leisure Village,” “National Forest Village,” and “Five-Star Rural Tourism Area in Guangxi.” Currently, it boasts a new economic development model that integrates rural sightseeing, grape picking, and homestyle dining, with collective economic revenue expected to exceed 400,000 yuan in 2023.
