Rural tourism revitalizes Machang village

A multi-ethnic settlement home to Bouyei, Miao, and Han communities, Machang village in Qiantao township, Huaxi district, Guiyang, capital of Southwest China's Guizhou province, is recognized as a provincial distinctive ethnic village. Now a popular spot for suburban tourism, it attracts visitors eager to stay in rural homestays, where they can fully experience the charm of the countryside.

Visitors relax at Courtyard No 1 in Machang. [Photo/Guiyang Daily]

To advance the local tourism industry, Qiantao township launched the "Baizhuang Qiantao" project, which aims to establish the area as a top destination for countryside living. The project promotes diverse industries centered around the "Countryside+" and "Homestay+" concepts. This enriches the village tourism experience while boosting income for both the village collective and nearby residents.

Machang village, with its scenic mountains and rivers, is the core area of the project. Key demonstration projects like Estate No 1, Field No 1, and Courtyard No 1 have revitalized the once-quiet village.

The village has seen many new changes due to its focus on the tourism industry.

Bouyei-style clay pot fish, a unique local dish, has recently become highly popular, with numerous orders placed daily. This popularity reflects the growing interest in local tourism.

Yang Zhonghua, the chef of this unique dish, said, "Field No 1 is a large rice paddy area where we plan to raise fish in the future. Qiantao township is known for its pottery, which is an ideal food container. Combining the two had potential." This vision led to the creation of the Bouyei-style clay pot fish.

While tourism is flourishing in Machang, its remote location poses transportation challenges for visitors without their own vehicles. To address this, several village leaders mobilized local ride-hailing drivers into a service fleet, which helps meet tourist needs and increases drivers' incomes.