What is the essence of enjoyment in life? Comfort and carefree living are some of the answers. Pressured by daily duties and heavy workloads, an escape may be the answer we have been seeking for. To search for a tranquil moment, a time to unwind, an indulgence to a sensory awakening...you shall have it all in Pingtan.

A sumptuous dinner prepared at the “Loutaihui”, a term indicating a site of encounter for Pingtan and Taiwan.

In Shanglou Village of Pingtan, Guo Xinjie and Lin Fengjie, two youths from Taiwan run the "Loutaihui", a mandarin compound meaning a site of encounter for Pingtan and Taiwan. This communal ground possesses tranquility amidst the clamor of carriages and a carefree comfort bestowed by nature. 

Guo Xinjie(Left) and Lin Fengjie(Right), two youths from Taiwan run the "Loutaihui".

Now, through "Loutaihui", they create their innovative business model, and lead an ideal life. They welcome people from all over the world to escape from the fast-paced city and experience the pastoral life here, picking fruits, making a meal, and enjoying the evening breeze.

Back in 2018, Taiwan youth Chen Xinhao renovated a deserted stone house and created a space for cultural, creative and artistic exchanges-the "Loutaihui" in Shanglou Village. From then on, it has become a place for young people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits to meet up and interact. In 2019, a team led by Guo Xinjie upgraded it as a “living room of Pingtan”. Preparing authentic Taiwan cuisine and souvenirs, opening fairs, conducting training, and holding voluntary activities... The “Loutaihui” has become a base for youth exchanges across the Straits.

To allow tourists to better experience the pastoral life, Guo Xinjie and his team decided to join hands with Shanglou Village Joint Stock Economic Cooperative to cultivate passion fruit and vanilla in a garden. As thus, it kills two birds with one stone by enriching the tourist experience and increasing villagers’ income.

Guo Xinjie introduced that the vanilla garden mainly grows rosemary, not only for herb-picking and cooking, but also for manufacturing essential oils, soaps and other creative product lines. Tourists can purchase these as souvenirs in the future.

Chen Zhenguo, secretary of the CPC Branch of Shanglou Village, said that the collaboration with the Taiwan team will not only enable Taiwan compatriots to start a business with (a) peace of mind in Shanglou Village, but also further promote the industrial upgrading of Shanglou Village and attract more tourists for the cause of rural revitalization.

According to Chen Zhenguo, secretary of the CPC Branch of Shanglou Village, the collaboration with the Taiwan team will allow more Taiwan compatriots to start a business in the village with peace of mind, shape a pathway to industrialization, tourism, and boost rural revitalization.

Ms. Lin, a young local lady, is a regular guest of the “Loutaihui”. She noted: “The ‘Loutaihui’ is a successful case of renovating the quintessential stone house. The stone house that had long been in neglect and disrepair was given new vitality. Nowadays, its operators have explored new ways of development, and it will bring more surprises.”

From the exodus of villagers to the gathering of talents, Shanglou Village, as the first cross-Straits  pilot village for community integration in Pingtan, has attracted the attention of more and more young people.

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