Nestled along China’s southwestern border, the tiny village of Azheke was once a symbol of hardship. With fewer than 60 households, nearly half its residents had left to seek work as poverty gripped the community. But a bold plan from Sun Yat-sen University has rewritten its story 🌟.
Enter the 'Azheke Plan': a sustainability-driven initiative to boost local tourism while preserving the village’s cultural roots. The project caught the attention of Ma Youde, a young graduate who traded city life to return home and manage a new bed-and-breakfast 🏠. 'This is about more than income—it’s about rebuilding our future,' he says.
Since 2022, Azheke has welcomed travelers eager to experience its untouched landscapes and traditions. The B&B now employs 15 locals, and crafts once sold for pennies are becoming sought-after souvenirs. Experts hail the model as a blueprint for rural revitalization—where education, eco-tourism, and youth leadership collide 💡.
Could Azheke inspire other villages? With over 30% of residents returning home in the past year alone, it’s proof that sometimes, the best solutions are local 🤝.
