The 2024 World Tourism Alliance recently announced 50 best practice cases of rural revitalization through tourism, with Longquan village in Dawukou district, Shizuishan, and Yaomo village in Yuanzhou district, Guyuan, making the list.

Longquan village was selected for its success in integrating agriculture, culture and tourism to drive rural revitalization. Known as "the No 1 village at the foot of Helan Mountain", it has developed projects like ecological restoration, the Great Wall National Cultural Park, and natural selenium-rich farmland certification.  

The village combines intangible cultural heritage workshops, themed B&Bs, and farmhouses with activities like fruit picking and educational tourism, creating a thriving rural tourism model. In 2023, Longquan attracted 1.47 million visitors and generated 13.66 million yuan ($1.88 million) in revenue, becoming a vibrant example of cultural tourism boosting rural development.

Longquan village in Dawukou district, Shizuishan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region [Photo/Official WeChat account of The Department of Culture and Tourism of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region]

Yaomo village was selected for its successful integration of tourism with cool-climate vegetables to boost rural revitalization. By leveraging its location and climate, the village has transformed its vegetable industry into a key driver of rural development, expanding from a single industry to a diversified, integrated one. Vegetable fields and greenhouses have become tourist attractions, with villagers benefiting from tourism-related jobs. The village has become a popular destination, known for its "farmhouse chicken" and hospitality, while the 16,000-hectare cool-climate vegetable base has become a must-visit destination.

Yaomo village in Pengbao town, Guyuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region [Photo/Official WeChat account of The Department of Culture and Tourism of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region]