Flower appreciation bolsters tourism brand in Huaxi

Visitors appreciate flowers in Maiweng Ancient village. [Photo/Guiyang news network]

Spring is in full swing and flowers along the riverbanks of the Shili Hetan area in Huaxi district, Guiyang, are in bloom, which has attracted flocks of visitors to Maiweng Bouyei Ancient Village on the riverbanks.

Zimu Mountain Villa, as the largest and most popular restaurant in Maiweng Bouyei Ancient Village, Dongjiayan community, can accommodate up to 300 diners at once.

"We usually have a good number of customers, and it gets even busier on weekends, mostly with tourists who come to admire the flowers," said Tian Qian, the person in charge of Zimu Mountain Villa. Having been operated in the ancient village for the past 10 years, the business has been thriving, especially during the peak flower-viewing season.

Maiweng Ancient Village is located in the Huaxi National Urban Wetland Park. Before the wetland park was built, the village primarily engaged in traditional agriculture like other village groups in Dongjiayan. The wetland park has since ushered in unprecedented development opportunities for Maiweng Ancient Village.

Relying on the continually improving environment of the Shili Hetan area, the ancient village has developed its own brand of leisure tourism by tapping into its unique food, culture, and entertainment. In 2017, it was named a national-level characteristic village for ethnic minorities.

Wang Hai'ou, head of the Dongjiayan community, said that in recent years, with the improvement and upgrading of infrastructure and the development of tourism, the reputation of Maiweng Ancient Village has been growing, attracting an increasing number of tourists. Local residents either rent out their houses for income or engage in small businesses. Almost every household is benefiting from the tourism boom.