Perched on the southern part of Pingtan Island, overlooking the majestic hills and sea, Qingguanding Village stands as a testament to natural beauty. With its winding coastline and a maze of unique rock formations, the village boasts 63 stone houses nestled harmoniously into the landscape, creating a picturesque scene in this region blessed with extraordinary natural wonders.

Qingguanding Village, designated as a provincial-level pilot village for rural revitalization, ingeniously embraces the ethos of that ambition. Coming out from its fishing and agrarian roots, the village is now embracing rural tourism and the B&B economy, catalyzing a flourishing collective economy and bolstering income for its residents. 

"We have the best spot on Pingtan Island to catch the sunrise. There are also fascinating rock formations such as the 'Longevity Turtle,' 'Pen Holder Stone,' and 'Sea Mountain Giant.' Our village is immersed in nature's beauty," said Lin Yuelian, secretary of the village party branch. She emphasized that the appearance and infrastructure of the village directly impact visitors' perception and experience.

Over the past few years, Qingguanding Village has made significant strides in its transformation. Nearly 2 kilometers of scenic pathways and 1.5 kilometers of village trails have been renovated. The village has added 130 solar streetlights and 60 LED lights, constructed two cultural squares, one pocket park, four pavilions, and public toilets. Additionally, four observation platforms have been built. The village has also established four parking lots spanning approximately 15,000 square meters and over 7,000 plants.

"The most challenging aspect was clearing the chicken coops and pigsties from the village," mentioned Zhan Weipeng, the first secretary stationed in Qingguanding Village. "Villagers have been raising chickens and pigs for generations, and it was not easy to convince them to give up these sources of income. It required persistent efforts." Through patient persuasion, the village committee successfully convinced the villagers to dismantle their chicken coops and pigsties, making way for greening projects in the village.

Today, walking through Qingguanding Village, one can witness the transformation. The once dirt paths have been replaced with cement roads and wooden walkways. The former chicken coops and pigsties have been transformed into small gardens shaded by lush trees. Lin Huosheng, an 80-year-old villager, expressed his satisfaction with the changes, saying, "Now the environment is better, life is more convenient, and we have more places for leisure and entertainment. With the development of tourism, there is a brighter future ahead."

The idyllic landscapes of Qingguanding Village, boasting mountains, rocks, sea, and traditional stone houses, hold the key to its success. As the village's environment and attractions continue to mature, tourists from all over the country flock to experience the revitalization of this rural gem.

"We were fully-booked during the National Day, Mid-Autumn, and the summer holiday. The demand was overwhelming," shared Liu Minghui, a manager at the Songhai Stone Tribe homestay. In 2018, Qingguanding Village collaborated with Qingguan Songhai Tourism Development Co., Ltd., investing nearly 10 million yuan to renovate and upgrade nine stone houses, creating over 60 luxury holiday homes spanning over 2,000 square meters. Monthly revenues can reach over 700,000 yuan. "Currently, we are renovating several other stone houses, planning to combine leisure, entertainment, and cultural exhibitions to further enrich the village's cultural and tourism services," added Zhan Weipeng.

In a collective effort, the village also partnered with Beijing Aimujiahe Pre-planning Operation Co., Ltd.,to launch its own night tourism project Pingtan Story. The success of the project drew in a flood of visitors, setting Mount General ablaze with its dazzling light show and record-breaking visitor numbers. "During peak periods, the shuttle buses ran over 20 times a day," said Guo Yu, a recent university graduate who volunteered as a shuttle bus driver for seven consecutive days during the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays. He added, "Seeing tourism thrive in the village, I am happy despite the exhaustion."

With a series of tourism projects coming to fruition, employment opportunities have arisen for the villagers. "For roles such as drivers, security guards, and cleaning staff, we prioritize hiring local residents," said Lin Yuelian. "Through tourism development, we have created over 100 job opportunities for villagers, which has improved their income and quality of life."

Qingguanding Village's transformation showcases the power of rural revitalization and sustainable tourism development. Moving forward, Qingguanding Village aims to further enhance its tourism offerings and improve the quality of services. The village plans to continue renovating stone houses, develop more cultural and tourism products, and explore the potential of agritourism.

[Source: Fujian Daily]