Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Zhejiang and Department of Finance of Zhejiang recently announced Zhejiang’s evaluation results for future rural development initiative 2024. Among the recognized villages is Yongxing, a village of Haiyan.

Basking in the warm spring sunshine and gentle breeze, Yongxing unfolds like a living painting, where scenic views greet visitors. In recent years, the village has anchored its development around the theme “Land of Peach Blossoms· Culturally Rich Wenxiwu”, built an ecological “future village” with friendly neighborhood, rich cultural connotations, healthy and low-carbon life, thriving industries, charming environment, smart technologies, high-efficiency governance, and convenient transportation. Step by step, a vision of “beautiful villages, thriving industries and harmonious communities” is coming to life.

A renewed living environment

In Yongxing, there are rolling green hills, crystal-clear streams, and neat traditional white-walled and black-tiled houses arranged in picturesque harmony. A winding creek meanders through the village, carrying the fragrance of tea from nearby plantations and leading to tranquil courtyards. In an open pocket park in Wenxiwu, elderly residents gather to chat over tea, and children play freely on the lawn, their laughter echoing beneath the vast blue sky.

This park exemplifies the seamless integration of ecological governance and leisure amenities, serving as a public space for villagers and an innovative demonstration site for local wastewater treatment terminal. By enhancing the existing infrastructure through lush landscaping and artful design, this wastewater treatment terminal is smartly embedded into the park’s environment. Today it has become a beloved destination for residents to walk and chat every day.

Besides, employing an “A²/O plus constructed wetland” process technique, the wastewater treatment terminal can treat approximately 30 tons wastewater a day. The treated effluent is recycled for irrigating farmlands and watering plants, significantly reducing wastewater discharge and saving around 3,000 tons of irrigation water annually.

Diversified cultural exchanges

Yongxing is a village where traditional farming culture and modern global influences coexist in harmony. In the north of Cultural Hall of Yongxing, there is a striking contrast building - Wenxiwu Farming Heritage Museum, a modest single-story structure in stark contrast to the surrounding modern villas.

The Museum showcases traditional objects such as delicate calligraphy and paintings, locally produced tea and aloe products, traditional kitchen range paintings, antique oil jugs, wooden looms, farming tools, linen textiles and raincoats, fully showing locally characteristic farming civilization and excellent folk culture.

Outside the Museum, Cong Tianluo, a provincial-level cultural representative, guides international students to go through immersive village experiences. They document local customs with cameras, engage with villagers, and play games with children, drawing a vibrant picture of cultural exchanges.

Organized by Cong Tianluo, groups of international students have participated in “Global Village Workshops” since May 2024, recorded and shared the charm of China’s rural landscapes and traditions with the world, enhancing the international fame of local rural culture.

Innovation-driven development of local culture and tourism

Nestling within Wenxiwu’s lush mountains and murmuring streams, Yinmashan Resort is surrounded by ancient trees. Some visitors set up tents on the grassy lawns and chat with each other, while others hike to the hillside viewing platform to capture photos of the breathtaking scenery.

Since its opening in August 2024, the Resort has pioneered a unique “B&B Plus” model, blended lodging with camping, dining and entertainment to create a one-stop eco-friendly rural tourist destination.

Yongxing leverages its natural beauty and profound culture to develop tourism, eco-farming, agricultural product processing and rural B&B. By harmonizing its landscape with tourism, the village has crafted a distinctive “leisure and wellness plus” brand to invite visitors to savor a modern, idyllic lifestyle rooted in nature, joy, and health.