A farmer painting depicts Yudong village in Kecheng district, Quzhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo/app.qz123.com]

Yudong village in Kecheng district, Quzhou, Zhejiang province has in recent years been leveraging its cultural heritage to propel rural revitalization.

Renowned for its farmer paintings, the village established the China Rural Art Museum in 2020, which predominantly showcases artworks crafted by local residents. The collection encompasses a wide array of themes, ranging from traditional agricultural scenes in the fields to modern communal spaces like shared canteens, laundry rooms, and rural music concerts.

Characterized by vibrant colors and imaginative compositions, these paintings vividly capture the evolving facets of rural life. Scenes depicting the making of rice cakes, soy milk grinding, dragon dances, orange picking, and more intricately engage and captivate visitors.

"The art gallery serves as a vital window into rural culture, always open to all with no admission fee, extending a warm welcome to visitors from across the nation," elucidated Yu Bin, the gallery's dedicated guide.

Local authorities have tapped into this rich cultural legacy to develop rural tourism, establishing a tourism company in 2019. This initiative has led to the creation of a diverse range of tourism products, including cultural and creative items and study tours.

In 2023, the village's farmer painting industry generated an impressive output value of nearly 30 million yuan ($4.14 million), drawing in 500,000 visitors.

Since 2020, the village has embarked on a series of micro-transformations for its historic houses, renovating over 50 ancient buildings and commissioning farmer painters to adorn walls with captivating farmer-themed murals.

These efforts have gradually transformed the village into a charming and distinctive destination, which will in turn bolster its rural tourism and increase residents' incomes.