Lake and wetland at Yueba village. [Photo by Zuo Changzhou]

More than 750 domestic and international travel agents gathered in Yueba village, Guangyuan, Southwest China's Sichuan province on Nov 23 to experience joys of winter in the countryside.

The gathering was organized as part of the 2024 Guangyuan City Cultural and Tourism Development Conference.

"The vibrant mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and serene ancient streets are absolutely breathtaking," said Wang Fang from Chengdu China Travel Service Co.

According to Wu Guangcheng, Communist Party chief of Yueba village, the once-impoverished area has undergone a remarkable transformation into a thriving destination through integrated agriculture and tourism development.

"Thanks to the village becoming a holiday resort, our collective economic income surpassed 3.5 million yuan ($484,000] in 2023, creating over 300 jobs for villagers and generating nearly 10 million yuan annually from local specialties," Wu said.