Dawa village in Yangquan city [Photo/yqnews.com.cn]

Visitors to Dawa village in Yangquan city, located in North China's Shanxi province, can enjoy the picturesque charms of East China thanks to the village's efforts to develop its industries in a sympathetic and integrative way.

In recent years, Dawa has been committed to protecting and enhancing its beautiful countryside by promoting the rural environment and the living environment in all respects. 

It has managed to create scenic views with white walls, grey tiles, lush water and dotted pavilions -- typical scenery in the southern region of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. 

Dawa village in Yangquan city [Photo/yqnews.com.cn]

"Since the 1960s, in addition to agricultural production, the villagers were mainly engaged in mining bauxite," said Zhang Chunyi, head of the village's government office.

The development of bauxite brought benefits to locals, yet destroyed the environment. In 2005, the village decided to mine bauxite in more scientific ways and tried to develop other industries, aiming to recover the environment and promote collective economics.

The new development pattern helped mining enterprises make more revenue, while fostering the animal husbandry and farming sectors.

Gao Xihuai, Party secretary of the village, noticed that rural tourism was an effective way to promote the village economy. He proposed creating landscapes with the local characteristics of the southern region of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, which was supported by local villagers.

After years of efforts that began in 2012, the village is now is dotted with restful landscape, allowing people to enjoy the resultant ideal views.

Dawa village in Yangquan city [Photo/yqnews.com.cn]

During the process of creating the beautiful village, Dawa involved all the villagers. "The village is home to all of us. What was most important was to create a sense of participation and fulfillment for them. It is indispensable for the village's sustainable development," Gao said. 　

The improvement of the rural environment boosted Dawa's economy. In 2019, the village set up Laohuaishu Tourism Development Company. It has helped attract as many as 30,000 visitors since then and generated total tourism revenue of 2 million yuan ($293,625). Over 50 villagers have been engaged in the local tourism business. Five newly opened agritainment attractions can receive some 120 tourists a day. 

"The development creates a happier life for us -- a greener and more beautiful village with increasingly more prosperous villagers," said villager Zhang Haibing.