In the frostbitten landscapes of Northeast China, where winter temperatures frequently plunge below -20°C, a remarkable transformation is underway. The village of Xuexiang (Snow Town) in Heilongjiang Province, once a quiet forestry community, now bustles with tourists drawn to its spectacular winter scenery despite the bitter cold.
This dramatic change represents a tangible success story within China’s comprehensive Rural Vitalization Strategy, initiated at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2017. The national policy aims to achieve fundamental modernization of agriculture and rural regions by 2035.
Wang Xindan, the village’s publicity official, attributes this renaissance to strategic government support. “The rural vitalization strategy has transformed our community into a year-round tourism destination,” Wang noted. The village’s recognition as one of “China’s top 10 most beautiful villages” underscores its successful metamorphosis from a commercial forestry settlement to a thriving tourist attraction.
The initiative extends beyond winter destinations to encompass diverse agricultural regions. In various Chinese provinces, vineyards and other specialty agricultural sites have similarly experienced revitalization through targeted development programs. These efforts collectively represent a national movement to bridge urban-rural development gaps, create sustainable economic opportunities in countryside regions, and preserve cultural heritage while embracing modernization.