Farmhouse restaurant shows new vision as lumber economy shifts

Liu Tongtao was surprised to find that his village could attract thousands of visitors annually, making his life better than during his days as a lumberjack.

He was busy preparing lunch for more than 30 visitors at his farm restaurant on July 11, a Tuesday, even before the busiest time on weekends from July to September.

"During peak periods, we have more than 200 customers at lunch, forcing us run back and forth from the kitchen to the dining house," said the 38-year-old resident of Xishui, a small forest farm in Yichun, Heilongjiang province.