Dayao village in Longquan. [Photo/CFP]

The county-level city of Longquan – administered by Lishui city in East China's Zhejiang province – has been focusing on developing its homestays in recent years, relying on its abundant natural and cultural resources.

Shixuanhu village in Longquan's Lanju township, for one, is surrounded by stunning mountains on three sides. Tang Quanqing, who had been running a business outside his hometown, decided to come back to the village and start a homestay operation after he saw the opportunities that lie in the mountains and its pristine waters.

"The environment of our village is excellent, which is very suitable for the development of homestays," Tang said.

Living in homestays and experiencing folk culture has these days become one of the most popular ways to enjoy the slow life in the countryside for tourists heading out to Longquan.

And it's felt there that the homestay sector in Longquan will continue to keep bursting with vitality and diversity.

By the end of June 2021, there were a total of 259 homestays in Longquan, which attracted a total of 740,100 tourists in the first half of the year – generating total revenue of 47.68 million yuan ($7.38 million), for year-on-year growth of 14.86 percent.