Chongqing - Recently, the World Tourism Alliance (WTA) and the International Poverty Reduction Center in China (IPRCC) collaboratively published the WTA Best Practices of Rural Revitalization through Tourism 2023. This prestigious list notably includes two successful case studies from Chongqing: Pengshui Miao, Tujia Autonomous County, and Chengkou County.

The Ayihe River in Pengshui County (Photo/Chongqing Daily)

In recent years, Chongqing has proactively nurtured rural cultural tourism by integrating innovative scenes, business formats, and models. This initiative has developed the cultural tourism industry, enhancing tourism's prosperity, enriching residents' lives, and drawing more visitors to the countryside. They can immerse themselves in the authentic rural customs, charm, and nostalgia there, offering a unique and enriching experience.

Chiyou Jiuli City is a national 5A tourist attraction in Pengshui County (Photo/Chongqing Daily)

In Pengshui Miao and Tujia Autonomous County, the Ayihe Community has capitalized on its distinctive mountainous terrain, the prestige of national 5A tourist attractions, and the synergy of urban-rural integration. It has constructed the Hujiawan Miao-style architectural complex and a unique U-pick park while also developing personalized tourism products, including family-friendly tours, romantic getaways, wellness retreats, and educational excursions. In its commitment to sustainable practices, the community has focused on developing facilities and digital agriculture, adhering to green and integrated growth principles.

The family-friendly pick tours in Pengshui County (Photo/Chongqing Daily)

A strategic spatial layout, termed "one corridor and two zones," encompasses the Ayihe Fast Corridor for Ecological and Green Industries, the Tourism Industry Zone on the south, and the Characteristic Agriculture Zone on the north. This concerted effort aims to establish a model area for the integrated development of agriculture and tourism. By doing so, it seeks to simultaneously elevate the collective economy and the per capita income of local villagers, setting a benchmark for rural revitalization and sustainable development.

The autumn of Chengkou County (Photo/Visual Chongqing)

Dong'an Town in Chongqing, blessed with a unique natural landscape and favorable climatic conditions, strongly emphasizes enhancing infrastructure and improving reception services. In developing the Kanggu National Resort and Kangjiazhai Scenic Area, recognized as a national 5A tourist attraction, the town has skillfully crafted four boutique tourism routes. These routes, connecting Changzhen to Huang'anba, Mishui Village, Chaoyang Village, and Kanggu, span the four cardinal directions of east, south, west, and north.

Dong'an Town after reconstruction in Chengkou County (Photo/Dong'an Town)

This strategic development has led to a dynamic rural tourism network encompassing the Kanggu, Qinglong Gorge, Zhenghe, Huang'an Grassland, and Mishu Residence areas. By doing so, Dong'an Town has successfully established the tourism brand of "Kanggu, the Primitive Land in Daba Mountains, China." This initiative marks a new trajectory in the deep, integrated development of agriculture, culture, and tourism, positioning Dong'an Town as a beacon of rural rejuvenation and sustainable tourism development.