Homestays promote rural tourism in Kaiyang

A visitor views the village's scenery from a local homestay. [Photo/Guiyang news network]

Paifang village of Gaozhai township in Kaiyang county has been working to turn rural farmhouses into homestays, some of which have gone viral online, promoting the development of local tourism.

In 2022, enterprises operating in the village adopted a "70% + 20% + 10%" model to revitalize idle farm houses and develop characteristic homestays.

Farmers buy shares with their idle houses and land, while the company is responsible for house renovation and operation. Seventy percent of the income will go to the company, 20 percent to farmers, and 10 percent to the village collective.

This model provides stable work and dividends for local farmers, reducing the need for villagers to leave for work.

To date, with a total investment of 15 million yuan ($2.06 million), the Yunlu Yeshe homestay park covers an area of more than 400 mu (26.67 hectares). Seven houses are operating as homestays, and 10 mountaintop panoramic glass houses, viewing platforms and Western restaurants will be built soon.

Since their official opening in early August, the homestays have been nearly full every day, and nearly half of the tourists are from Chongqing, Sichuan or other neighboring provinces and cities.