Xiaogang Village in Fengyang County holds a special place in China's history as the pioneer of the nation's rural reform. Located in east China's Anhui Province, this once-struggling community overcame barren land and water scarcity to become a symbol of transformation and progress.
The turning point came in 1978 when 18 visionary farmers gathered in a rundown thatched cottage to make a life-changing decision. By agreeing to divide land among individual households, they set the stage for China's rural reform drive, earning Xiaogang the esteemed title of the \"first village in rural reform.\"
Embracing its rich local culture, Xiaogang began to promote tourism, leading to remarkable achievements. In recognition of its efforts and success, the village was honored as one of the 2024 \"Best Tourism Villages\" by the United Nations World Tourism Organization.
\"In my wildest dreams, I never imagined that Xiaogang, once so destitute we could barely fill our stomachs, would one day feast on the riches of tourism,\" said Yan Jinchang, an 81-year-old resident and one of the 18 farmers who signed the life-changing agreement 46 years ago.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
