Green revolution sees county blossom

Businesses

The logging quota became smaller as 2012 approached, so local authorities encouraged forest farm workers to start their own businesses.

Yu seized the opportunity and opened a stable to serve tourists, mainly during winter, when Bailing is covered by thick snow. In addition to horseback riding, he provides horse-drawn sled tours to entertain visitors.

He never expected his venture would be such a success. Business has soared markedly since President Xi Jinping visited Arxan in early 2014. During his visit, Xi praised the county, saying it is beautiful during all four seasons and expressing the hope that tourism will boom in the city.

Initially, Yu had about 100 customers a day during winter, but after Xi's visit, the number soared to 500 to 600. "There were so many customers that I was once even called out to work when I was enjoying (Chinese) New Year's Eve dinner," he recalled.

In 2017, he raised the number of horses at the stable to more than 100 to meet rising demand. Now, he hires at least five poverty-stricken residents if he and his family members are too busy to work at the stables.

In addition to taking care of his business, Yu works as a ranger for the forest farm, looking out for illegal logging and forest fires. As rangers usually have little to do during winter, the jobs don't clash.

"My family can make up to 20,000 yuan ($2,830) a year," he said.