In the lush mountains of southwest China’s Yunnan Province lies Azheke Village, where ancient “mushroom cottages” dot the landscape amidst cascading rice terraces. Once a quiet hamlet facing the loss of its youth to distant cities, Azheke has undergone a remarkable transformation.
Back in 2018, Professor Bao Jigang and his team from Sun Yat-sen University introduced the visionary “Azheke Plan“. This initiative aimed to empower villagers to preserve their traditional homes and culture by turning the entire village into a collective tourism enterprise.
Under the plan, villagers hold a 70% stake in the tourism company, while the government owns the remaining 30% to cover development costs. The result? A vibrant community where cafes, homestays, and restaurants thrive, and visitors from around the globe come to experience the authentic Hani culture and taste local delicacies like fish and red rice harvested from the terraced fields.
Since the launch, Azheke has welcomed over 188,000 tourists. The impact is tangible. In July, the village held its 10th dividend distribution ceremony, sharing a record-breaking total of 560,000 yuan ($77,300), averaging 8,600 yuan per household.
“Every family now enjoys a good income, and the village has changed greatly,” says Ma Youkai, a village official. “More and more young people are willing to come back to their hometown to work.”
Tourism has not only boosted incomes but also helped the Hani people balance modernization with the preservation of their rich heritage. This success story was recognized globally when Azheke was honored as one of the “Best Tourism Villages” by the United Nations World Tourism Organization in its 2024 selection.
For travelers seeking authentic cultural experiences and breathtaking natural beauty, Azheke Village—with its iconic mushroom cottages and stunning rice terraces—is a destination not to be missed.
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Next Stop: 'Mushroom cottages' surrounded by cascading rice terraces
cgtn.com
