Serene Nanxi River: Ancient Villages Embrace a Renewed Charm

In Yongjia County, Zhejiang Province, alongside the serene Nanxi River, the concept of harvest is being redefined, transcending the boundaries of Chinese traditional solar terms. Strolling through the ancient Lishui Ancient Street in Yantou Town, one discovers a delightful blend of traditional snacks and trendy delicacies, intangible cultural heritage and modern cartoons, and ancient stages and rock bands harmonizing with each other. This harmonious coexistence of old and new creates a captivating atmosphere, inviting visitors to linger and indulge. Villagers bring out local specialties, transforming popularity into prosperity, while homestay owners and agritainment operators skillfully convert traffic into extended stays.

Yongjia is a millennium-old county. Along the three-hundred-mile-long Nanxi River, over 200 ancient villages and more than 3,650 ancient buildings are scattered, ranking among the top in the province in terms of quantity. Over time, these ancient villages have not faded away; instead, they have burst forth with unique vitality, appearing both ancient and youthful.

Placing Protection at the Forefront, Guided by Harmonious Development

Entering Cangpo Village, one feels history come alive through its architecture. This thousand-year-old village is elegantly laid out, with the village as paper, the pond as an inkstone, the streets as brushes, and the stones as ink, creating a rich culture featuring traditional farming and learning lifestyle. It is one of the most representative ancient villages in the Nanxi River basin.

Ten years ago, Cangpo Village was included in the first batch of key villages for the protection and utilization of historical and cultural villages in Zhejiang Province. Following the approach of "developing new areas, preserving old houses, maintaining the landscape, and promoting heritage application", the village has been rescuing and restoring ancient buildings, demolishing illegal structures, and focusing on sewage and garbage disposal. Meanwhile, the construction of Cangpo New Village outside the ancient village solves the conflict between "protecting ancient villages and developing for villagers" .

Many villages along the Nanxi River, like Cangpo, each with distinct characteristics and deep cultural roots, possessing high historical, cultural, and aesthetic value. According to records, some of the oldest villages can be traced back 1,500 years, with most having a history of seven to eight centuries.

Yongjia has long prioritized the protection, development, and utilization of historical and cultural villages, particularly in recent years, elevating them as integral elements of the "Grand Ecotourism Zone" initiative. Efforts have been continuously strengthened in planning revisions, architecture protection, funding, and organizational stewardship, with a keen focus on the planning, implementation, and management of these endeavors.

Ye Shengjie, Director of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in Yongjia County, emphasized that based on the protection content and management requirements of each village, the county has classified ancient villages into three types: overall, partial, and individual, for differentiated protection and utilization. Following the protection plans of the villages, core protection areas, landscape coordination areas, and peripheral transition zones have been established for graded protection.

It is reported that in recent years, Yongjia has allocated over 300 million yuan in special funds for the protection of ancient villages. A high-level County Cultural Relics Protection and Management Utilization Committee was established, and a five-year plan for the protection and utilization of immovable cultural relics was formulated. At the same time, the "Hundred Families Repair Hundred Houses" initiative has been launched, extensively galvanizing social resources and mobilizing private capital to participate in the "Revival Fund" campaign. So far, the fund has raised over 50 million yuan in pledges.

Tailoring to Local Contexts, Each Village Exudes Its Unique Charm

In the heart of the Nanxi River Scenic Area lies Fenglin Town, where the "Millennium Ancient City Revival Plan" has been underway in recent years. A key component of this initiative is the establishment of the "Red Maple Ancient Charm Rural Revitalization Demonstration Zone". With the greenway as its axis, it connects various villages along the river, forming a continuous line within the backdrop of the overall scenic area. Each village also has its own theme, offering a truly rejuvenating experience.

Each village, tailor-made to its surroundings, boasts its own allure, not just in homage to its rich history and culture, but also thanks to Yongjia's delicate balance between preservation and progress. Locally, these villages resemble "open-air and living museums", seamlessly blending the restoration of graceful traditional architecture with the celebration of time-honored cultural practices. Moreover, they craft enchanting living spaces and foster a laid-back way of life. Guided by the principle of enhancing protection through development, they systematically cultivate the leisure tourism industry.

This year, Jingshagang Village in Fenglin Town was honored as one of Zhejiang Province's "Top Ten Cultural and Artistic Villages". The village, famous for its dried rice noodles, has evolved beyond being just a culinary hotspot. Soon, the "Jinli·Xiyou" project, with an investment of 150 million yuan, will be unveiled, transforming the village into a "micro-resort destination" that seamlessly blends homestay clusters, art experiences, outdoor sports, and more.

Similarly, Huolu Village, also known for its dried rice noodles, has discovered a new path by focusing on its wheat fields. Despite spanning only 160 mu (about 10.7 hectares), the village has achieved remarkable success. In May, during the wheat harvest, the village hosted a Harvest Festival. Even before this, the golden wheat fields had become a beloved tourist attraction. Following the harvest, the Wheat Wave Park transitions to planting other crops, ensuring year-round opportunities for educational tours.

Today, innovative interpretations are breathing new life into Yongjia's ancient villages.Lishui Ancient Street is buzzing with energy, featuring trendy vinyl record-themed coffee markets that appeal to the young and fashionable. In Furong Village, a stroll along the stone paths and a visit to an old house might lead you to an unexpected encounter with art, thanks to the artist residency program offering enriching experiences. In recent years, Yongjia has harnessed music resources from across the country, establishing and nurturing several renowned music festival brands. The melodies of the Nanxi River resonate throughout the year, earning the "Rural Music Wonderland" widespread acclaim as a vibrant cultural landmark.

Revitalizing Industries for Shared Prosperity

"In village construction, we prioritize creating spaces for fostering homestay clusters, outdoor campsites, rural flavor museums, and shared farms, allowing ordinary folks to fully participate in entrepreneurship and wealth creation," said Huang Shaolang, Party Branch Secretary of Huolu Village. Last year, the collective economic income of the village soared 950,000 yuan, doubling its pre-construction figures, with the average annual income per villager rising by 600 yuan. 

Huang Shaolang's insights resonate across Yongjia. He underscores that only by achieving a "win-win" scenario of preserving ancient villages while bolstering villagers' income can preservation efforts yield positive outcomes. At the county level, similar impetus drives the prudent development and utilization of ancient villages. Notably this year, numerous ancient villages have initiated artist residency program, extensively renovating ancient structures to accommodate diverse cultural and creative industries.

Linkeng Village in Yantan Town, nestled against the mountains and bordered by waters, boasts just over a hundred households. In the past, limited transportation options led many young adults to do business or work elsewhere, causing the village to gradually decline. However, today, the thriving ancient village tourism industry has transformed its fortunes. Out of the 45 ancient buildings in the village, 43 have been repurposed into charming homestays and agritainment venues, offering a total of 320 guest rooms and dining establishments catering to thousands of visitors. With over 90% of villagers involved in tourism, the average annual household income now surpasses 100,000 yuan.

The surge in popularity of Linkeng Ancient Village is intimately tied to its seasonal harvests. After late autumn, the crimson hues of red maples, persimmons, golden corns and pumpkins adorn eaves, roadsides, doorways, and drying grounds, as villagers commence their annual drying rituals, painting a resplendent autumnal panorama. It's during this period that tourism peaks, drawn by this picturesque spectacle. 

Spurred by these burgeoning prospects, an increasing number of villagers are returning to their hometowns to start business. In Cangpo Village, Li Dongliang has converted his thirteen rooms into homestays, while Li Ziyong and his spouse operate a souvenir stall, doubling as guides. Data shows that in the past two years, Yongjia's ancient village tourism has gained momentum. In 2022, it received over 19.55 million visitors, with total tourism revenue inching close to 22.5 billion yuan.

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