A setting sun graces Yushan Island, Ningde in Fujian province.[Photo provided by Xing Wen/China Daily]

For Guo, the collaboration with Ouyang has also been inspirational. "Ouyang is involved in product design and improvements, serving as the sales manager. She always provides timely feedback from sales to designers," Guo says.

As an architect who previously focused on "hard" projects like road beautification and building renovations, Guo has always desired to engage in "soft" work such as designing cultural and creative products. "The implementation timeline for architectural designs is long and complex but with cultural and creative designs, I can quickly bring ideas to life, which is satisfying," Guo explains.

These two women, close in age but with vastly different life experiences, frequently brainstorm new product designs and plan engaging cultural activities together.

Last year, Yushan Island welcomed 220,000 visitors, generating tourism revenue exceeding 120 million yuan ($16.5 million), a 21 percent year-on-year increase, according to the local culture and tourism department.

Ouyang's coffee shop has become a must-visit destination for many tourists.