On February 23, Beihu District signed a series of “paired construction” contracts here, aiming to develop the resort into a “Zhiqing Art Village” by introducing art and culture as well as commercial and media resources, and relying on surrounding agricultural and ecological resources.

 

Chen Bibo, manager of Zhiqing Rural Resort Hotel, often posts the fashion photos about the hotel on his WeChat Moments.

 

In early 2023, Beihu District took the lead in launching the “Awakening Old Houses” campaign in Chenzhou City to renovate idle old houses so as to awaken nostalgic memories and dormant resources.

 

Chen Bibo, who worked outside for many years, chose to start his business in Tashui Village, where old and vacant houses were seen everywhere. The architectural layout and volume here both meet the needs of the business, preserving historical rudiment. 

 

It is only a 20- minute drive from Chenzhou West High-speed Rail Station.

 

He transferred over 40 old and vacant houses in the village and transformed them into a hotel. Meanwhile, he has built an outdoor swimming pool, bamboo bookhouse, small ranch, etc. to create a “rural slow time” and enrich the tourist experience.

 

As the second Hunan Tourism Development Conference was held in Chenzhou, Zhiqing Rural Resort Hotel became more and more popular. 

 

In September 2023, the concept of “Zhiqing Art Village” attracted attention from all parties. 11 district-level art associations settled in the village, each of which formulated a cultural and artistic creation plan, and nearly 30 events were held by the end of the year of 2023.

 

 

 

At the centralized signing ceremony as well as the symposium held on February 23 this year, “Zhiqing Art Village” signed a “paired construction agreement with 9 municipal-level art associations, including the Chenzhou Writers Association, and reached strategic cooperation intentions with 4 operating entities like Chenzhou Yuanhengjia Cultural Tourism Co., Ltd.

 

At the symposium, Luo Yan, chairman of the Chenzhou Drama Association, said, “Art villages are not commonly seen in the province. It’s even more unprecedented to hold such a meeting on artistic ideas in a village.”

 

Wang Qionghua, chairman of the Chenzhou Writers Association, said, “What’s important for a vibrant art village is not to organize a few activities but to make everyone willing to stay in the village and engage in ‘local creation’.”

 

In the concept of the “Awakening Old Houses” campaign in Beihu District, “Zhiqing Art Village” continues to gain popularity through the positive interaction between the art, business, and media circles.

 

“It’s only two hours by high-speed rail from Shenzhen to Chenzhou,” said Wang Zhen, general manager of Shenzhen Jinzhan Group. He is very optimistic about the development of “Zhiqing Art Village” due to its transportation location and integration of agriculture, culture, tourism, and commerce.

 

Shenzhen Jinzhan Group is also the operating entity of the Yangtian Lake Scenic Area in Chenzhou. As of now, the Yangtian Lake Scenic Area has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Hunan for tourists from the Greater Bay Area, with only a drive of over 50 minutes from “Zhiqing Art Village”. Wang Zhen hoped to further deepen cooperation with Beihu District.

 

After taking the lead in implementing the “Save Old Houses” campaign nationwide, Songyang County in Zhejiang Province launched the plan “Hundred Artists Settling in Rural Areas” in 2018, which received widespread attention and became an effective way to stimulate the vitality of ancient villages.

 

According to industry insiders, “awakening old houses” and “saving old houses” are different. The latter focuses on protection while the former is centered on the reconstruction of rural forms and comprehensive revitalization by activating “dormant” resources. Besides, art villages can play a significant role.

 

At this centralized signing ceremony, “Zhiqing Art Village” signed contracts with 20 villages including Sanhe Village and Xiaobu Village.

 

Wang Yuanhe, Party secretary of Sanhe Village, said that it’s difficult to leverage the advantages of its profound heritage for lack of cultural talents, and the signing was a “timely rain” for the village to develop the integration of culture and tourism.

 

Xiaobu Village, with its green walls, black tiles, small bridges, and flowing water, made its appearance on a well-known CCTV program and also built a brand-new cultivation, reading, cultural and creative museum. Now with the support of “Zhiqing Art Village”, it’s more confident for Xiaobu Village to build a distinctive cultural village.

 

Luo Chenghui, deputy mayor of Chenzhou City, said that Chenzhou City will continue efforts to promote the integrated development of agriculture, culture, tourism, and commerce, develop characteristic agriculture that integrates farming culture experience, rural tourism, and agricultural education, and create more cultural and tourism integration villages as well as new tourist destinations young people like.