Wang Yucheng, representing Yucun village, accepts the honorary plaque for "Best Tourism Village" from the United Nations World Tourism Organization. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Yucun, a quaint village nestled in the mountains of Anji county, Zhejiang province, has emerged as a beacon of transformation, shedding its industrial past to become a thriving hub for residence, industry, and tourism.

Wang Yucheng, Party chief of Yucun village and a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress, unveiled the village's inspiring journey during a panel interview conducted on the sidelines of the annual session of the nation's top legislature in March 2023.

In response to the environmental degradation caused by cement factories and mines in the 1980s and '90s, the village took a bold step in 2003, shutting down polluting industries and redirecting its focus towards tourism.

This shift marked a turning point for the village. In 2021, Yucun was honored as one of the "Best Tourism Villages" by the United Nations World Tourism Organization. In 2023, the village welcomed over 1.1 million visitors, generating a collective income of 22.47 million yuan ($3.12 million), with operational revenue reaching 10.11 million yuan, as per official statistics.

Apart from tourism, Yucun spearheaded efforts to diversify its revenue streams by cultivating medicinal herbs, bamboo shoots, edible fungi, and valuable tree species, alongside moso bamboo, which was once the primary source of income for the village due to its rugged landscape.

The diversification led to substantial economic gains, with Yucun village reaping dividends surpassing 3 million yuan in 2023, equating to a per capita dividend of 3,000 yuan. Consequently, the per capita annual income of locals soared to 71,000 yuan.

Not resting on its accomplishments, in July 2022, the village launched its "Global Partnership Program" promoting a harmonious blend of ecological preservation and youthful dynamism. It established a 100,000-square-meter space for young entrepreneurs, offering 47 partnership projects for over 1,000 university students to showcase their talents. 

Wang advocated for broader prosperity, aiming to replicate Yucun's success in neighboring villages and beyond. He proposed the establishment of a company involving 10 surrounding villages, which created over 200 employment opportunities for each last year.

Additionally, Yucun village forged partnerships with nine villages in Sichuan, Xinjiang, and other regions, assisting them in selling specialties worth over 5 million yuan annually each, according to Wang.