Highway helps fuel tourism in village

TAIYUAN — In Laoniuwan village, situated at the confluence of the Great Wall and the Yellow River, China's second-longest river, a recently constructed scenic highway begins its journey southward.

The Yellow River No 1 Tourist Highway, built in 2018 in Shanxi province, was designed to string together scenic spots along the river, including wetlands, waterfalls and ancient ferry ports, with the aim of boosting local tourism.

As a result of this initiative, Laoniuwan, located in Pianguan county in Xinzhou, Shanxi, has transformed into a popular tourist destination. From January to mid-July, the scenic area surrounding the village received 121,600 visitors, a 78 percent increase compared to the same period in 2019. Their visits generated 6.51 million yuan ($906,950) in revenue.

The village provides tourists with the opportunity to explore an ancient castle and experience the beauty of the Yellow River. Visitors can also savor delicious farm-to-table cuisine and enjoy overnight accommodations in unique cave dwellings, with a special chance to sleep on a kang — a cozy clay-and-brick stacked bed heated from within.

Almost every family in Laoniuwan runs a homestay now, and tourism has become like a "bowl of rice" for the villagers, according to Guo Shuaisheng, Party chief of the village.

In the courtyard of villager Guo Jianhua's hostel, a lively atmosphere provides evidence of a thriving business, with over 100 tourists staying and dining at his establishment, generating a daily income of approximately 3,000 yuan. "I was previously registered as financially disadvantaged and in need of support due to poverty. However, I was able to establish this hostel with the assistance of poverty alleviation loans. In just a few years, I have not only overcome poverty but have also improved my quality of life significantly," Guo said.

Driving south along the Yellow River No 1 Tourist Highway, one will come upon Xingxian county in Lyuliang, a "red" tourist destination featuring the revolutionary history of the region. Kang Yanhong, who works at the local scenic area, said he is particularly struck by the growing influx of self-driving tourists in recent years.

"At first, we mainly received group visitors. Now the number of individual tourists is growing. Facilitated by the Yellow River No 1 Tourist Highway, more and more tourists have been drawn here," he said.

Meanwhile, new businesses are also emerging, thanks to the tourist influx. Since its opening in September last year, the Zhangjiawan recreational vehicle camp located along the highway has welcomed more than 10,000 vehicles, with nearly 10 percent of them being RVs. Bikers and cyclists frequently make pit stops or choose to stay overnight at this site as well.

"Wooden cabins and tents in the camp were fully reserved long before the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday," said Li Ruixun, who is in charge of the camp.

On the Yellow River No 1 Tourist Highway, a constant flow of cars displaying out-of-town license plates is evident, accompanied by burgeoning businesses lining the highway. The local villages, once obscure and forgotten, have been revitalized and are now bustling with activities.

"Even our local products are selling better," said camp administrator Guo Mingming, who grew up along the Yellow River and has years of experience working in the jujube processing industry. Guo attributed the booming sales to the increasing number of tourists and the improved transportation facilitated by the highway.

Yao Xiaoyun, head of the culture and tourism department in Yonghe county in Linfen, where the Qiankun Bay portion of the Yellow River is located, has reaffirmed the county's commitment to the development of the tourism sector. The goal is to ensure that the communities on both of the river's banks reap the benefits of this industry, Yao said.

Xinhua