Shandong villagers enjoy greater prosperity from 'rural complex'

In recent years, Yayougou village in Lanling county of Linyi city, East China's Shandong province, has been working to develop its tourism industry, transforming the village into a rural complex.

The rural complex is a comprehensive development model that integrates modern agriculture, leisure tourism, and rural communities.

A development model integrating enterprises, government bodies, cooperatives and farmers has now formed in the village, leading locals to greater prosperity.

Since 2017, the Yayougou rural complex has welcomed 3 million tourists, driving over 2,000 people to land jobs and benefiting 14 surrounding villages.

Wang Mingming, a tofu shop owner within the complex, says he can earn over 100,000 yuan ($13,804) a year, courtesy of the finely honed craft passed down from his family and the burgeoning tourist traffic.

"Now villages have been transformed into scenic spots, products have become commodities, and residential buildings have turned into homestays," said Liu Xianhua, an official of Lanling county.

He said this has helped to beautify the village and help the surrounding villagers increase their income, thus promoting the deep integration of leisure agriculture and cultural tourism. (Edited by Chen Chuxuan)