A view of Yucun village, Anji county, Huzhou, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/WeChat account: huzhoufabu]

Yucun village in Huzhou's Anji county was recently honored as one of the "Best Tourism Villages" of 2021 by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Two villages from China won the honor, with the other one being Xidi village in Anhui province.

The UNWTO's Best Tourism Villages initiative aims to advance the role of tourism in safeguarding rural villages and their landscapes, natural and cultural diversity, and values and activities, including local gastronomy.

Yucun village has long adhered to the green development path mapped out by the concept which states that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" and made sustained efforts in rural tourism development.

The village has a population of 1,050 and covers an area of 4.86 square kilometers, with its forest coverage rate surpassing 90 percent.

It also boasts excellent air quality, with the percentage of days with good air quality in a year standing at about 98.6 percent,

Yucun has emerged as a popular tourism destination in Zhejiang. In 2020, it welcomed more than 900,000 tourists, generating a collective economic income of 7.24 million yuan ($1.1 million). The village's per capita annual income hit 55,680 yuan.

During his visit to Yucun village in April 2018, UN Under-Secretary-General Eric Solheim noted that Yucun's practices had proved that environmental protection and economic growth can be achieved simultaneously. 

As of a recipient of the "Best Tourism Villages" honor, Yucun will gain access to an exchange platform sponsored by UNWTO and receive support from the international tourism body and its partners.

In addition, the village will implement a "future community" campaign with an investment of 300 million yuan, which will comprehensively improve the application of technologies in the fields of catering, healthcare, senior care, and education.