The Southern Huangjiazhuang Village is located about 20 kilometers northwest of Longjiaquan Street in Yishui County, nestled in the heart of the Bashan Reservoir and surrounded by water on three sides. This small village, with only 162 households and a population of 510, boasts two prestigious titles: a provincial-level scenic village and a provincial-level demonstration village for rural revitalization. What secrets lie behind these achievements?

On the path to rural revitalization, “themed villages” emphasizing distinct identities have emerged. How can these “themed villages” adapt to local conditions, highlight their thematic positioning, and delve deeply into development? The Southern Huangjiazhuang Village in Longjiaquan Street uses nostalgia to define its rural future, leveraging this sentiment to accelerate the development process.

Entering the picturesque The Southern Huangjiazhuang Village along Longzhang Road, visitors are greeted by a campsite square by Gu Xia Lake, covering about 7,000 square meters, with lush green grass and a steady stream of tourists. Surprisingly, just a year ago, this area was nothing but a patch of weeds, desolate and abandoned. In April of this year, after the first secretary from Linyi Central Hospital, Xiao Xingbin, was assigned to the village, he emphasized the theme of nostalgia while aligning with the overall development strategy of the Longjiaquan Joint Party Committee. He focused on four main lines: red historical significance, immigrant footprints, the beauty of mountains and rivers, and memories of nostalgia, transforming the area into a tourist destination.

With wooden doors, mud walls, stone paths, and bright red lanterns, the streets of the Southern Huangjiazhuang Village are filled with elements of Yimeng culture, presenting an authentic memory of rural life. Strolling along Lingquan Lake, the 2.6-kilometer lakeside promenade showcases willows swaying, blue skies, clear waters, and lush green peaks, creating a stunning “beautiful nostalgia” photo spot. Visitors flock here, with foot traffic increasing by 200% compared to last year, peaking at nearly 10,000 daily, and the campsite square is often packed with tourists, attracting photographers and wedding companies for scenic shoots.

How can we encourage visitors to stay longer?

When nostalgia becomes the theme of the tourism industry, homestays naturally come into play. The village party branch established the Nanhuang Tourism Farmer Cooperative, allowing villagers to invest through idle homesteads, land, and funds. They formed a strategic partnership with the Yishui Urban Investment Group, revitalizing 15 idle homesteads and developing the “Gulangyu” homestay tourism project, which includes 12 homestays, 2 fishing lodges, a parent-child park, a fishing platform, and a lotus garden. As tourist numbers surged, once-closed restaurants are thriving, often fully booked on weekends and holidays.

Harvesting activities draw tourists into the fields, further extending the tourism chain. The Southern Huangjiazhuang Village has effectively utilized its 260-acre efficient forest fruit ecological agricultural park, leading to the development of 12 picking gardens and achieving a deep integration of agriculture, culture, and tourism. The fruits not only sell quickly but also at good prices, with per-acre profits increasing by 20%.

“Walking wide streets and narrow alleys, listening to neighbors’ stories, thick stone slabs pave poetic lines, and red lanterns sway in the breeze.” Recently, a song titled “Nanhuang Ballad” has spread across the banks of Yishui. In the name of culture, The Southern Huangjiazhuang Village has infused profound meaning into nostalgia.

By defining the future of rural areas with nostalgia, the Southern Huangjiazhuang Village is accelerating its development. According to Huang Jianquan, the village party secretary, “The village has now formed a unique leisure tourism layout centered on cultural relaxation, incorporating elements like picking, fishing, dining, homestays, red educational tours, meetings, and entertainment. This year, we expect to attract over 200,000 tourists and generate more than 200,000 yuan in collective income for the village.”