Fisherman hooks audience via livestreaming

Shao has a restaurant that serves tourists, with a menu that includes fish and shrimp. He also functions as a local tour guide, taking customers on his boat to show them around. He tells folk stories that include bits of local culture, including the name and history of different small lakes.

"Normally on weekends I receive more than 10 groups of tourists a day, but about six or seven on weekdays," he said.

"I am much happier being an internet host than being a fisherman, because I meet a lot of people from different places in the country," Shao said. His tourists are mainly from neighboring Beijing, Tianjin and cities in Hebei province.

Over the past three years, more than 20 villagers have followed Shao's livestreaming example, broadcasting the beauty of Baiyangdian Lake, attracting tourists and providing accommodations, food and tour services.

He suggested installing neon lights around the lake to increase the beautiful evening scenery in the future, because "people would like to spend more nights here".