Villagers in Qianyang village, Linyi county, Shandong province are taking pride in the village's recent appearance on a news program on CCTV-1.

The news program is aired at 19:00 across the country. Qianyang village was featured for nearly four minutes, and local efforts in advancing rural tourism, promoting rural vitalization, improving people's well-being, and building a new socialist countryside that is beautiful, prosperous, and harmonious were highlighted.

Visitors spend the Qingming Festival holiday in Qianyang village. [Photo/CCTV]

During the three-day Qingming Festival holiday, the village attracted a large number of tourists due to its comprehensive tourism facilities, various activities, and beautiful countryside scenery.

"I had a satisfying holiday in Qianyang village. I don't think the countryside is what it used to be. Nowadays, villages are beautiful and prosperous due to the government's tremendous efforts in rural vitalization," said a tourist surnamed Sun.

Qianyang village was originally designated as a poverty-stricken village by the provincial government. Nearly all young people left the city to work in big cities and the village infrastructure was poor.

Modern greenhouses are seen in Qianyang village. [Photo/CCTV]

In 2018, a public sector official was sent by the provincial government to the village to fight poverty. The Party chief has led local villagers to improve transportation infrastructure, private housing and the rural environment.

With provincial financial support, the village has taken on a new look by focusing on growing special plants, rural tourism, and modern agriculture.

In just a few years, Qianyang village has not shaken off poverty, but also embarked on the road to prosperity. Its per capita annual income increased from 14,000 yuan ($2,136.4) in 2018 to 23,000 yuan in 2020.

It has been selected as a "Beautiful Chinese Leisure Village" and received more than 100,000 tourists last year.

The beautiful scenery of Qianyang village [Photo/CCTV]