On November 14, at an intangible cultural heritage exhibition held in the Qingrenwan Tourism Area, Xialiutun, Gongchuan Village, Gongchuan Township, Dahua Yao Autonomous County ("Dahua County"), Hechi City, Guangxi, overseas journalists participating in the "Drum Rhythms and Songs - Beautiful Hechi: 2025 Overseas Media Tour to Hechi" enthusiastically interacted with local Yao community members. They beat bronze drums and danced to lively rhythms, immersing themselves in the charm of Yao ethnic intangible cultural heritage.

Gongchuan Village, renowned as the “Hometown of World Yao Culture” and once labeled a “hollow village” due to the exodus of young people, is now riding the wave of rural tourism development. It has transformed into a popular local check-in trendy spot, attracting overwhelming public attention. In 2024, the Qingrenwan Tourism Area in this village welcomed over 80,000 visitors, generating an annual revenue of more than RMB 2 million.

Lu Lei, manager of the Gongchuan Lover’s Bay Tourist Area, Dahua All-region Agricultural & Tourism Industry Investment Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Dahua Culture & Tourism Investment Co., Ltd, informed reporters that the village's tourism project plans a total investment of RMB 70 million. Its construction is currently over halfway completed. To enhance visitor experiences, the scenic area features 54 distinctive guest rooms, complemented by a tourist service center, handmade flower workshop, leisure courtyards, and boat dock. Additionally, multi-functional facilities such as a water sports park, live-action CS combat arena, and cultural promenade have been established, enriching local tourism offerings.

Lu Lei stated that during this year's National Day holiday, all guest houses in the scenic area were fully booked, with average daily visitor flow exceeding 10,000 people. "In summer, we focus on water-based activities. Motorboat rides, paddleboarding, kayaking, and other water projects we launched have been very popular," he introduced. The scenic area plans to invite national first-class motorized surfing athletes to provide training for staff. Subsequently, it will launch related recreational projects and training services, and collaborate with major universities and colleges in Guangxi to conduct research and study activities.

To attract more visitors, the scenic area also organizes thematic events rooted in local folk culture. During this year's Qixi Festival (Chinese Valentine's Day), it hosted a Bunu Yao ethnic group wedding ceremony, drawing over 300 participants. By day, locals set up long-table feasts to share authentic Yao cuisine with tourists; by night, crowds gathered around bonfires dancing to the "Bronze Drum Dance" and "Monkey Drum Dance" in a vibrant celebration. "This distinctive Bunu Yao wedding not only allows tourists to experience unique ethnic traditions but also revitalizes local intangible cultural heritage," said Lan Di, supervisor of the “Encounter Time” Area at Lover’s Bay.

Wei Jintie, captain of the third team in Xialiutun, told the reporter that the development of the scenic area has created numerous job opportunities for local villagers. Some residents have also become shareholders by contributing land and houses to the tourism project. "In 2024, the more than 30 households in our village who hold shares each received per-capita dividends of over RMB 10,000," he said.

Wei Jintie stated that the development of the scenic area has not only created additional income streams for local villagers but also significantly improved the rural living environment. "Overgrown vacant lots have been transformed into lush green spaces, and solar-powered streetlights now illuminate roads that were once dimly lit at night," he said.

Wei Jintie, aged 51 this year, recalled that in the past, as most young people have left to work elsewhere, Xialiu Tun, which has a population of 428, now has only a little over 70 residents remaining—mainly the elderly, the weak, women, and children. "The biggest change brought by the scenic area is the revived vitality. Young people are gradually returning to open homestays and agritainment businesses in growing numbers," he said.

Wei Jian, a local villager, told the reporter that in 2001, while working away from home, he decided to return to his hometown. He converted his house into a homestay, renovated the courtyard, and built thatched cottages to start an agritainment business, offering local delicacies such as Hongshui River fish to tourists. "During holidays, we are fully booked. The agritainment business brings in a daily revenue of RMB two to three thousand," he said. "I am confident in the village's tourism projects and plan to open more homestays."