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In recent years, e-commerce has seen great development in China, not only in cities but in rural areas as well. In parts of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, villagers are finding new markets for their local specialties.
One place where this is happening is in Qishan county, where a local cold noodle dish called "Ganmianpi" is popular in the region for its spicy taste and chewiness.
In the past, it was pretty hard to taste authentic food like this anytime and anywhere else. But now, with e-commerce, things are vastly different.
E-commerce prompts the modernization of the production line of cold noodle dish named "Ganmianpi" in Qishan county, northwest China's Shaanxi province. /CGTN Photo
Its production has been modernized because of online sales.
It's happened in many villages across Qishan county, like in the village Linghu, where locals raised manufacturing standards – based on the promise of e-commerce.
Li Wenjing, a rural entrepreneur in the village, said that his manufacturing line has adopted the strictest measures.
"We carry out the information management in production. We have tools, for example, to test the chewiness and acidity of these cold noodles, to keep a consistent flavor," Li said.
Modern production methods retain the traditional flavor and comply with hygienic standards.
Locals in Qishan county use various online sales platforms to promote their products. /CGTN Photo
These kinds of local treats definitely need promotion to spur online sales. But unlike high-end commercial advertisements, locals have their own sales techniques such as using online live streaming.
"Gradually, we've also sold other specialties in this way, like Qishan noodles, crusty pancake, local burger, pepper powder and minced meat to other parts of the country," Li Zhanxiang, a local, said.
According to officials in Linghu village, annual e-commerce sales last year hit about seven million U.S. dollars.
E-commerce is helping local economies, particularly in rural areas in Shaanxi province in recent years. Online orders keep many village enterprises busy in delivering their products. /CGTN Photo
So Linghu now serves as a model for other villages in Shaanxi Province, giving locals a promising future.
"Next, we will build a high-level e-commerce industrial park and create more job opportunities for people in the neighboring areas," Zhang Baolin, the village chief, said.
For this village, life is changing due to the success of e-commerce. And while there will certainly be challenges ahead, the people here say they're committed to making the most out of the opportunities still to come.