Chinese rural tourism boosted by 'courtyard economy' model

Xiangfeng village in Changsha County, China, has adopted the 'courtyard economy' model to promote rural tourism and cultural exchange. Local residents are transforming unused rural houses into spaces with international appeal, offering visitors experiences of local cuisine and traditional activities.

The initiative gained international attention through the popular reality TV show "From Far Lands to China's Farmlands." In the program, seven young foreigners from various countries resided in the village, participating in local farming and cultural events, such as preparing traditional medicinal hot pot and experiencing intangible cultural heritage.

Following the program's success, two foreign youths decided to permanently settle in Xiangfeng. Local authorities view this as an opportunity to create new rural consumption destinations and to showcase China's rural tourism globally. Changsha County aims to further develop the 'courtyard economy' to attract more international tourists and foster cultural interaction.

The 'courtyard economy' not only provides new income streams for villagers by converting traditional courtyard structures into modern accommodation and visitor spaces but also strengthens local cultural heritage and promotes sustainable rural tourism. The strategy appears to be successful, with Chinese rural tourism seeing increased popularity among both domestic and international travelers.