Revitalizing rural tourism sector with 'homestay+' model

The yearning for a tranquil rural life, where one can live on an acre of land amidst picturesque mountains while cultivating flowers and grass, is common among many city dwellers.

Now, Jiejiazhuang street in Laishan district is transforming this idyllic lifestyle into a reality through the creation of unique and distinctive homestays.

In a significant move this July, Jiejiazhuang street embarked on a momentous hundred-year homestay project with a homestay company, marking a groundbreaking initiative to lease vacant village houses for the development of top-tier homestays.

The project employs a range of strategies, including short-term and long-term rentals, management services, agritourism, and family farms, enticing tourists from all corners by relying on tradition and cultural heritage.

Simultaneously, Jiejiazhuang street is collaborating with neighboring high-quality industrial projects such as cartoon village, Changrong cultural and creative park, and Yungu farm, fostering a harmonious synergy that propels industrial growth.

A snapshot of a serene village homestay. [Photo by Qiao Xintong for chinadaily.com.cn]

Significant progress has been made thus far, with 13 sets of farmhouses successfully contracted in Zhuliu village, three of which have already undergone renovations. Moreover, 10 sets of farmhouses in Nanshuitaolin village and Beishuitaolin village have been contracted and are currently undergoing renovations at a rapid pace.

"Our region boasts the prominent Wuzishan Provincial Nature Reserve, winding Xin'an River, and an array of stunning natural environs. With our proximity to urban areas, the development of homestays presents a great opportunity to cultivate and promote the cultural and tourism industries within our jurisdiction," said an official of Jiejiazhuang street. (Edited by Cai Liting)