Portrait of rural revitalization- Xitou village

chinadaily.com.cn Updated:  2021-08-31

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Located to the northeast of Liangkou town in Conghua district of Guangzhou, capital city of South China's Guangdong province, Xitou village has achieved much in implementing the rural revitalization strategy and propelling the construction of an ecological civilization. 

Crafting the village into a tourism hotspot
Formed at the end of Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Xitou village has a history of 450 years. Its name - Xitou, which means source of a stream- comes from its location, the headstream of Liuxi River. 

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In 2005, Xitou invested in facility construction on tourism routes, the village square and the stone alley, and produced twelve tourism spots, which has made the village a popular tourism destination. 

The village boasts abundant fruit varieties all year round. March and April are the green plum season, of which the plum wine is well received by tourists. June and July are the season for crispy and juicy Sanhua plums. Sweet and seedless persimmons will ripen in September and October and will usually be made into dried persimmons.  December through to January is the harvest season of Shatangju, a citrus fruit. 

Better transportation brings more development opportunities

In October 2020, the Huizhou-Qingyuan Highway which has set up a station in Xitou, opened to traffic. Xitou village is right ahead exiting the Xitou station of the highway.

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The opening of the highway has stimulated villagers who work outside to return home and start their own businesses. As they say, convenient transportation is bound to bring more visitors and development opportunities. 

A better image both "outside" and "inside"

Since 2019, Xitou village has been adhering to the principle of grassroots Party building leading rural development. 

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The village has upgraded infrastructure, such as village roads, parking lots, hiking trails and walkways along the Liuxi River. The overall village outlook and tourism environment have been greatly elevated. 

Xitou has been working on integrity education over the years. In 2015, it was awarded the title of national civilized village. Villagers now feel happy about their improved lives and environment, and are willing to contribute their own efforts. 

Next, Xitou village will focus on building a national level rural tourism destination, featuring outdoor sports, based on its ecological and industrial resources. Meanwhile, it will strengthen its links to surrounding scenic spots availing to the newly opened Huizhou-Qingyuan Highway, to reinforce Conghua's tourism advantages and contribute to its rural revitalization.