[This "village" has unique scenery] Yangliu Village in Maoxian County, Sichuan: Making a living from tourism amidst lush green mountains and clear waters

CNR Chengdu, March 6 (Reporters Chang Sirong and Wang Ying): Yangliu Village, located in Diexi Town, Maoxian County, Sichuan Province, is home to 99% of the Qiang ethnic group. The village still retains the ancient Qiang charm of a thousand years ago, inheriting traditional Qiang art, clothing, living customs, and dietary habits. It is a typical village with strong Qiang ethnic characteristics and is one of the birthplaces of Qiang polyphony.

Yangliu Village, a village with strong Qiang ethnic characteristics (Photo by CNR reporter Chang Sirong)

In early March, Yangliu Village already has the vibrant colors of spring, with a gentle breeze, the fragrance of flowers, and the warm sunshine. Villagers bask in the sun while setting up various small stalls outside their homes, waiting for passing tourists.

 Villagers basking in the sun (Photo by Chang Sirong, CCTV)

In 2019, Yangliu Village was selected as one of the first pilot villages for rural revitalization in Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province. The county invested in improving the village's infrastructure, planting 20 mu of lavender, 15 mu of geraniums, 11 mu of roses, and building 8 mu of ecological fish ponds. A new Qiang village, nestled in a vast landscape, nestled between mountains and water, and offering a pleasant environment, has emerged.

In recent years, Yangliu Village has consistently prioritized green ecology as the foundation for its agricultural tourism economy and environmental protection as the essence of its openness to the outside world. In line with local conditions, Yangliu Village has intercropped grain crops and vegetables between fruit rows, creating a three-dimensional agricultural development model integrating organic vegetables, potatoes, Qiang crisp plums, and sweet cherries in the high mountains. This "one mu of life-saving grain," "one mu of high-yield fruit," and "one mu of income-increasing vegetables" not only ensures food security but also increases per-mu output value. Currently, cabbage, lettuce, potatoes, Sichuan peppercorns, and Qiang crisp plums are the primary sources of income for Yangliu Village, demonstrating the significant advantages of three-dimensional agriculture.

 A sea of lavender in Yangliu Village (Photo provided by China National Radio and Maoxian Media)

"When it comes to rural revitalization, everyone thinks of young people starting businesses and making money. But in Yangliu Village, even the elderly earn quite a bit, making tens of thousands a year!" Yong Fumao, a young entrepreneur who returned to his hometown, told reporters with a smile.

The villagers of Yangliu Village embrace the lush green mountains and rivers at their doorstep, transforming nature's gifts into a wealth-generating strategy. In their spare time, the elderly wash, dry, and package the peppercorns, mushrooms, and plums they've harvested. During the peak tourist season, they set up stalls in the village to sell them, delighting visitors and bringing the delicacies of the mountains to other parts of the country.

Yangliu Village, located along the Ninth Ring Road, enjoys a prime location that provides ample opportunities for the development of rural tourism. The village is actively exploring a "tourism plus" model, leasing idle land to develop specialty restaurants, encouraging young people to return home and start businesses, and vigorously developing the collective economy. Through the "Agriculture + Tourism" initiative, a standardized fruit and vegetable base has been established, promoting the development of high-altitude organic vegetables and achieving steady growth in annual per capita income. Through the "Homestay + Tourism" initiative, eight households have been encouraged to pilot a program, converting existing farmhouses into tourist homestays to promote the development of the rural tourism industry. Through the "Culture + Tourism" initiative, combining traditional festivals such as the "Dumb Festival," the vibrant ethnic culture continues to attract visitors to experience traditional Qiang cultural activities, fostering the integration of rural ecology, business, and culture.

"Going forward, we will continue to attract talent, encourage young people to return home and start businesses, and vigorously develop the collective economy to further enhance Yangliu Village," Yang Changqing, Party Secretary of Yangliu Village, told reporters.

The Waking of Insects has arrived, ushering in the resurgence of all things. Yangliu Village is vibrant and vibrant, a scene of vibrant spring. As the saying goes, a year's plan begins with spring. With villagers enjoying increasingly prosperous lives, Yangliu Village is poised to write a brighter chapter in the development of rural tourism.