A natural approach

After he settled down in Chongming, Xiong created his own canoe from scratch and started exploring Chongming's waterways with his family. Fascinated at how canoeing gave him a new perspective of the island, he went on to recommend this activity to visitors at his farm.

Before long, with the help of local carpenter Chen Zhongguo, Xiong built more than 10 canoes as well as docks and boathouses made of aromatic cedar.

Xiong is also planning to create a map featuring the key waterways in Chongming before going all out to promote canoeing on the island.

Apart from selling agricultural produce, Xiong earns from hosting visitors who come to camp, canoe, practice yoga or hold weddings on the island. Despite the lack of promotion, business has been brisk. But Xiong makes it a point to maintain the balance between people and nature, noting that he often turns away visitors when he feels there is too much human activity taking place.

He is also planning to build tree huts for visitors to stay overnight. But unlike other farms that offer bed-and-breakfast services, Xiong's establishment will offer space and accommodation-visitors are encouraged to prepare their own food and clean the dining table.

"You don't need to spend money on all the bells and whistles offered by a hotel to have a good time. I want to show people that just being amid nature is often more than enough," he says.