Courtyard Economy Spurs Rural Tourism in Central China County

Xiangfeng village in Changsha county, Hunan province, China, is enhancing its rural tourism through a "courtyard economy" model, which emphasizes local farmsteads and rural life experiences. This approach has gained traction following the global trend of "country walks."

The village has attracted international visitors, including seven young individuals from various countries, who participated in the filming of the popular reality TV show "From Far Lands to China's Farmlands." These participants worked alongside locals to experience rural life, transforming vacant rural houses into internationally styled spaces and engaging in intangible cultural heritage activities.

Visitors have enjoyed local cuisine, such as herbal hotpot and freshly baked bread, alongside cultural immersion. The TV show has garnered significant attention, accumulating hundreds of millions of views and bringing attention to China's rural tourism sector.

The success of the model has led some international participants to decide on permanent residency in the village. Changsha county aims to leverage the courtyard economy to create new consumption scenarios in rural areas and showcase Chinese-style rural holidays to a global audience.