Shandong village's star rises in culture, tourism

Caijiagou village – located in Zhucheng county in Weifang city in East China's Shandong province – has been emerging as a shining example of the integration of culture and tourism.

Stepping into the village is a joyful experience, with meticulously arranged houses, lively murals adorning walls and charming paths made of cement bricks and cobblestones. The village has in recent years become a cultural gem, featuring graceful art galleries, bookstores and cafes.

The visionary transformation of Caijiagou village began with the influx of artist studios, art galleries and traditional craft training centers. The infusion of creativity not only attracted numerous tourists but also paved the way for the villagers to embrace the concept of realizing rural vitalization through cultural development.

The results of the transformation are evident, with the village producing a myriad of works – including paintings, photography, short films and other creative products. Additionally, more than 10 intangible cultural heritage projects – such as paper-cutting, black pottery and willow weaving – have been nurtured.

Villagers enjoy an oil painting class at the art gallery in Caijiagou village. [Photo by Zhang Minmin for chinadaily.com.cn]

To top it off, Caijiagou village has proactively rolled out creative markets to showcase the local cultural and creative industry and products, meeting the needs of tourists.

Furthermore, by collaborating with foreign art galleries, the village has hosted a series of international exhibitions to raise its profile and create new opportunities for further development in the area. (Edited by Zhou Yunlai)