Not long ago, Dongbi was a small fishing village with nets and other materials crowding the sides of the narrow road.
Most residents made their living from the sea.
Today, as the sun sinks over the water, visitors line the village road with their phones and cameras. White buildings catch the last light as guests in sea-view homestays open their curtains to see the water.
"The contrast is striking," says Yu Xinwei, deputy Party secretary and head of Sansha township in Xiapu county, Ningde, Fujian province.
"Dongbi was mainly about fishing and making a living from the sea," Yu says.
The first major change came in 2017, when Shijianhai opened as Dongbi's first homestay.
With sea-facing rooms, floor-to-ceiling windows and a large curved pool, the property quickly became a popular destination for visitors drawn by the village's coastal scenery. It was later named a national Grade-A tourist homestay, the highest level in China's national classification system.
Its success attracted more operators and encouraged more villagers to convert their homes. Dongbi now has more than 80 homestays and about 1,000 beds, according to recent local reports.
As tourism grew, so did the amount of work it took to reshape the village.
"The road used to be narrow, and the fishing village had a lot of materials lying around, so it had a dirty, messy appearance," Yu recalls.
The village regulated fishing equipment, encouraged some residents to take up other occupations, and upgraded roads and public facilities. Yu says they renovated building facades, improved utilities, and added greenery and lighting.
The village also developed a distinctive visual identity. White became the buildings' dominant color, while individual homestay operators were permitted to design their interiors.
"The homestays here are built around the owners' design ideas, but we have general requirements," Yu says. "You can express yourself inside, but the exterior must fit the overall plan."
For Yu, however, the village's strongest draw remains its natural scenery.
"We have an absolutely beautiful sunset," he says.
"Visitors mainly come to appreciate the scenery. They enjoy opening the curtains and facing the sea. For many, this is the emotional value. They feel spending the money is worth it."
The coast also offers activities beyond taking photographs. Visitors can join nearshore fishing activities or search for seafood on the tidal flats.
"Children are especially attracted to the beach," Yu says. "They can catch seafood and have it processed."
For some local residents, the changes have provided a reason to return home.
Zheng Xianshi, who grew up in Dongbi, had spent years working outside the village. His jobs included construction-site management, ride-share driving, and selling seafood. When he first considered returning, he planned to rent out his family's old house.
But by then, tourism and accommodation businesses in Dongbi were already taking shape.
"Then I thought, since tourism and the accommodation industry here were already doing so well, why not come back and do it myself?" Zheng says.
He opened his homestay in 2021, becoming the village's sixth homestay operator.
He renovated the family house, initially creating 12 rooms and later expanding to 16. He also opened Sanbeiban, a coffee shop offering coffee, specialty drinks, cocktails, and other beverages.
In the early days, Zheng benefited from the success of the homestays that had come before him.
"I was riding on Shijianhai's success," he says.
"When guests came and couldn't get a room at Shijianhai, I was right there, so I became their first alternative."
As more operators arrived, however, that advantage began to fade.
Newer homestays started offering their own coffee, food and leisure spaces. Shops and snack outlets appeared along the main road, giving visitors more places to eat and drink.
"They're actually diverting customer flow," Zheng says.
He has responded by keeping his cafe open without imposing a minimum spending requirement. Visitors can come in to rest and enjoy the surroundings.
"From a business perspective, I think you still have to be friendly and not put too much pressure on guests," he says.
Cai Ziyang, a Dongbi native, has taken a different approach with Dream City, his 14-room homestay in neighboring Yugongting village.
Before returning to Xiapu, Cai worked in Beijing's building materials business. He began developing Dream City in 2022, turning an idle primary school into a Mediterranean-style property with more than 2,000 square meters of floor space. Each room has its own design and measures more than 65 sq m. The homestay opened in May 2025.
But the rooms are only part of what Cai envisioned.
"I want guests to be able to stay in my homestay for an entire day," he says.
The property has a restaurant serving Chinese and Western-style dishes, as well as spaces for music and social activities. Cai has also brought performers to the property for small live-music gatherings. The homestay regularly hosts themed music events, giving guests another reason to stay.
Cai has also brought a celebrity connection into the project. He invited a well-known singer who is a longtime friend to visit Xiapu several times to see the site before the homestay was built. The singer eventually joined the project as an investor and partner.
For Cai, music also brings guests together.
"We can take guests who don't know each other and bring them together through music," he says.
The homestay also offers customized itineraries and pickup services, allowing Cai and his staff to arrange trips for guests.
Yu says Dongbi plans to make better use of idle spaces and attract people working in photography, cultural creativity and e-commerce. The village also plans to develop its combination of homestays, tourism and coastal experiences further.
For Zheng, the changes in Dongbi have brought a more personal transformation.
He says he once disliked talking to strangers and that guests sometimes thought he appeared unfriendly. Years of running a homestay and cafe have gradually changed that.
"People still have to interact with people," Zheng says. "Little by little, I opened myself up, and my life opened up, too."
Contact the writer at yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn
