Jilin village swaps mining for tourism in green shift

"In the past, my whole family earned just 3,000 to 4,000 yuan ($448 to $597) a year from farming. Now I can earn 30,000 to 40,000 yuan a year on my own," Wang said.

He Yuqin once left the village to find work elsewhere before returning to join Jiuyu Shanju, a local rural tourism complex. She said her income has increased fivefold.

He started out as a waitress and worked her way up to manager.

The complex, which includes guesthouses and restaurants, employs around 50 people during the off-season and 70 to 80 during peak periods, according to He.

"In the past, villagers could only earn a limited income from farming a few mu of land. Now, working here, they can make more than 3,000 yuan a month," she said.