Chongqing- The goal of developing cultural enterprise with a complete service ecology in rural areas has been enshrined during the 20th National Congress. The Sanhe Art Museum, located in the Fengwen Neighbourhood of Shapingba District, nestled amidst the idyllic backdrop of mountains and lakes, offers a prime example of how culture can bring prosperity to rural communities and raise their level of refinement.

To achieve this goal, the world of art has become a natural starting point for integrated development through agricultural heritage and cultural tourism. Sanhe Art Museum, an attractive whitewashed structure with elegant terraces and rooftops, has successfully enticed artists and tourists to this community in their droves, benefiting the local economy and fostering cultural essence.

Ran Gang, director of Sanhe Museum, described his motivation for running the institution since it opened one year prior. "I have worked in arts education for many years, and it has always been a dream to find a place away from the bustle of city life where art can immerse me in everyday life and nature."

In 2021, three farmhouses in this village were restructured into this single three-floor building, which gave rise to the name Sanhe, roughly meaning 'combination of three' in Chinese. The ground level is home to an exhibition hall that displays paintings and holds exchanges, while the second and third floors are reserved for artist courses, experiences, lectures, and research.

The first exhibition to be held was in June this year, which served as a platform for young artists and designers to show their characteristic works and a classroom for the public to learn about various forms of artwork, from spacial aesthetics, music, calligraphy, paintings, and fashion.

Villagers were specially invited to the exhibition, where a guide explained how to interpret the meaning behind works of art, background information about Sanhe Museum, viewing etiquette, and the basic philosophy held when establishing the museum and its future aspirations.

Fengwen has now been transformed from a rural backwater into a coveted destination for city dwellers keen to experience artwork amid idyllic country surroundings. This development has changed the lives of villagers now; they can enjoy a vibrant atmosphere and a dependable new source of income.

One villager commented during the recent event. "The museum has made a big difference in our lives. Artists are always coming and going, and they have opened my eyes to new things in life. The value of our homes has increased, and we feel the village is more upmarket than it was in the past."

In addition to the Sanhe Art Museum, over 20 art enterprises have been introduced into Fengwen, attracting many professionals and enthusiasts in this field. As for tourism, the number of visitors exceeded 300,000 in 2021, bringing the village a combined income of 32 million yuan.