This photo, taken in March of 2022, shows several homestays for photographers in Shitan village. [Photo by Liu Shibin/cpanet.org.cn]
Around 28 years ago, when photographer Liu Shibin first came to the Shitan village in Shexian county of Anhui province, he was deeply attracted to the scenery there. The 800-year-old village has tranquil lanes, delicate Hui-style architecture, water scenes, beautiful mountains and a profound cultural foundation. After that, Liu came to the village almost every year and started to think about how to use his power to help the village get out of poverty.
Spring is peak season for photography tourism in the village; as how to attract visitors during other seasons, Liu got an idea. As the sunflower scene in Qinghai province is quite famous, Liu advises the local villagers to copy that and plant sunflowers. In April of 2009, the photographer bought some seeds and paid to villagers to try them out. After the successful trial, Liu spread his sunflower photographs online and the local government then encouraged villagers to plant more fields of sunflowers. Thus, more and more photographers and tourists came to the village which brought revenues to the local tourism.
When Liu first came to Shitan village, there was only one hotel for photographers and which could only accommodate 12 people. However, now the village can accommodate nearly 10,000 people per day at the peak season of spring.
Over the past years, photographer Liu Shibin has also shot numerous photos for local villagers and sent them a copy for free. Liu has "shot" the small unknown village into a nationwide famous photography attraction, helping local people get on a road of prosperity with his lens.
Liu Shibin, a member of China Photographers Association, has been awarded as an honorary villager of Shitan village and the honorary president of Huangshan City Photographers Association.
This photo, taken in August of 2010, shows villager Wu Huidi enjoying the joy of harvest. [Photo by Liu Shibin/cpanet.org.cn]