Hongcun Village: a timeless heritage driving rural revitalization

Capitalizing on its prestigious World Cultural Heritage status, Hongcun has innovatively integrated ancient dwellings with an “intangible cultural heritage-homestay” model. In 2024, two exceptional homestays in Yixian County, where Hongcun is situated, were honored as national “Most Stunning Public Cultural Spaces,” propelling local tourism accommodation consumption to a staggering 2.1 billion yuan (about $290 million). Moreover, local authorities have orchestrated a rich tapestry of folk activities, including exhibitions of traditional handicraft production, offering tourists an immersive experience of Hui culture. This burgeoning cultural-tourism consumption powerhouse not only enriches the livelihoods of local residents but also catalyzes the synergistic development of rural revitalization and the cultural tourism economy.