Enlightened rural tourism, culture can fuel economy

Walking through the countryside has become a passion over the years. Leaving the hustle and bustle of the cities for a slice of rural China is always a pleasure, an exhilarating experience.

On a recent trip to the aptly named Four Seasons Flowers Sea in Yanqing county, about 80 kilometers from downtown Beijing, I was particularly struck by its breathtaking beauty.

Yanqing, a national ecological demonstration base, will be one of the sites for the 2022 Winter Olympics. In the past four years, with an investment of 30 million yuan ($4.71 million), Yanqing has turned a once farm-field valley into an attractive place with beautiful names such as the "Most Beautiful Country Road".