Rows of small cottages with beautiful courtyards come into sight when one sets foot on Xiaopan village, Pan'an county of Zhejiang province. They were developed on local villagers' empty houses and are now used as shared homestays to boost tourism in the village.
Tourists can pick fresh vegetables in a communal garden, while meals are served from a communal kitchen. The fresh air and beautiful environment have drawn many tourists to Pan'an for leisure.
Since many villagers have vacant rural houses, local authorities came up with the idea of shared homestays to help improve tourist experiences and increase farmer income.
To date, 32 rural households have joined the shared homestay program, which offers more than 130 rooms. Moreover, the village infrastructure has improved over the years, and parks and cultural plazas have been built.
"We developed the village in harmony with nature, adhering to local topography, and maintaining a rural appearance that preserves the pastoral charm and nostalgia," says Kong Wanhen, an official with the village.
