A photo shows two boats parked outside a restaurant in Hengshanwu village of Anji county, Zhejiang province, on June 5, 2023. [Photo by Zhang Wei/For chinadaily.com.cn]
An architect in Zhejiang province wanted to breathe new life into his almost deserted hometown - Hengshanwu village. This desire is what led him to decide to turn his village into a homestay resort.
"I am a returnee, and people here call me village chief," Chen Gu told a group of visitors as he showed them around his brainchild Villa &Resort, a cluster of homestays, cafes and nightclubs tucked away in the rugged mountains of Anji county.
The 52-year-old pointed to an outdoor billboard illustrating the project. It carried a selection of photos reminiscent of the village's past: muddy dirt roads, garbage pileups, stinky waterways and bare hilltops due to mining activities from more than 20 years ago.
"It was once a 'hollowed village'," he said, referring to the exodus of younger people that has beset many rural communities across China.
"When I took over the village in 2012, just a few older residents were left."
Despite the downsides, the village resides at a place that is within three hours' drive from most major cities in Zhejiang, as well as in its neighbors Jiangsu province and Shanghai. The newly built highways and tunnels as part of a province-wide campaign to foster urban-rural equalities in recent decades make travel possible.
Related articles:
Related suggestion:
QB Jaden Rashada transfers to Georgia after leaving Arizona StateUnion Pacific's firstWhite Sox drop to 3Camila Cabello flashes her taut tummy and hot pink underwear while out in LAAmendments to Missouri Constitution are on the line amid GOP infightingNative American tribes want US appeals court to weigh in on $10B SunZia energy transmission projectAdam Peaty shares lovedLaura Dern, 57, supported by daughter Jaya Harper, 19, as she coBernie Williams is back in centerAdam Peaty shares loved
2.6793s , 4669.5703125 kb
Copyright © 2024 Powered by Rural area shining example of development ,Culture Channels news portal