Dongluo Village in Xinghua, east China's Jiangsu Province, has been listed among UN Tourism's 2025 Best Tourism Villages – marking the first time a rural spot in Jiangsu earns this global honor.
Squeezed between the Qianduo Scenic Area to the east, Pingwang Lake to the south and sprawling orchards to the north, Dongluo draws visitors with its signature "earth art": bright rapeseed fields crisscrossed by winding waterways. This vibrant patchwork wasn't born overnight. For generations, locals have shaped the land by digging rivers and piling fertile soil into raised fields, turning farmland into a living canvas.
Today, homestays are fully booked during peak season as travelers seek immersive rural experiences. Many villagers have transformed spare rooms into guesthouses, directly boosting household incomes and keeping ancestral customs alive. What started as a grassroots hospitality model is now a blueprint for sustainable tourism, balancing economic growth with cultural preservation.
UN Tourism's Best Tourism Villages program spotlights rural destinations that protect heritage, promote local livelihoods and encourage environmental stewardship. Dongluo's recognition shows how communities in the Chinese mainland can harness digital bookings, social media buzz and authentic storytelling to fuel rural revitalization.
For young global citizens, entrepreneurs and digital nomads, Dongluo offers more than scenic views. It's a case study in community-led innovation, where art, agriculture and architecture converge to craft a sustainable travel story. As rural areas worldwide look to recover post-pandemic, Dongluo Village proves that small communities can make big waves on the world tourism map.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
