Azaleas' allure

Lin noticed the influx of visitors that peaks with the blooms and consequently turned his home into a hotel where he provides meals, rooms, local products and activities.

"Visitor numbers increase by around a third around when the blossoms are at their best," he says.

"We had to hire three more staffers to meet demand this year. The azaleas do, indeed, bring more happiness to our business and lives."

Shennongjia has 23 travel agencies, and about 1,110 hotels and restaurants, that create more than 7,500 jobs for locals. It can receive up to 32,000 visitors at the peak time.