Villages offer best of both worlds

As more villagers started up private tourism services to cater to traveler needs, they soon found that guests mostly only came in the autumn.

"There was no other core or competitive travel product in the village," Zhou says.

In order to reverse the situation, Zhou first turned a local natural water pool that covers an area of one hectare into an internet sensation.

"The pool water is turquoise and clear, and local dwellings are clustered around the south face of the pond, so no matter what time of the day, you can take a breathtaking picture of the water, and the sky and everything reflected in it," Zhou says.

Campsites have also been set up against the backdrop of the village's lush green space.

Travelers can now enjoy rapeseed blossoms in spring, farming activities in summer, and folk customs in winter, besides the autumn leaves.

Cheng Linmei from Zhinan has benefited from the improved tourism development.

"I was born and bred here and decided to make maci, a glutinous cake, for travelers in 2013, when I felt that tourism started to take off," Cheng says.

However, she says that her business could only be described as lukewarm until village operators like Zhou came onto the scene.

"The traveler numbers have been rising, and it has boosted my sales," Cheng says.