The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has announced that four Chinese villages have earned a coveted spot on the "Best Tourism Villages" list for 2023.

The villages are Huangling Village in Jiangxi Province, Xiajiang Village in Zhejiang Province, Zhagana Village in Gansu Province, and Zhujiawan Village in Shaanxi Province. The decision was announced at the 25th session of the UNWTO General Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Thursday.

Huangling Village is a group of historic Hui-style architecture tucked away in Wuyuan County, Jiangxi Province, amid the hilly landscape.

Huangling Village was formerly densely packed with decaying dwellings and buildings. Changes began to occur as it underwent a series of restoration projects beginning in 2009, with over 80 percent of the shabby houses rehabilitated. Today, the village's new appearance and picturesque landscape and culture draw travelers, painters, and photographers from all over the world.

Xiajiang Village located in east China's Zhejiang Province, used to be a backward village with poor transportation, and desperate inhabitants were forced to cut down trees to burn or sell, resulting in serious deforestation. 

The locals established organic crops and erected a biogas digester thanks to the "green development" program. By 2015, Xiajiang Village had been designated as one of the Chinese AAA rating tourist attractions.

Zhagana, or "stone box," is in Diebu County, Gansu Province in northwest China and the name comes from the stone cliffs that surround the village.

Nomadic herding, farming, hunting and wood chopping are among the activities available in the village. A well-integrated style of life is a model of peaceful coexistence between human and nature.

Zhujiawan Village is located 18 kilometers northwest of Zhashui County, Shaanxi Province, in the southern foothills of the Qinling Mountains. Zhujiawan relies on the advantages of the Niubeiliang Forest Park. The park contains rare high mountains made up of glacial remains and trees such as maple, cedar and oak. Along the walk, there are also ancient trees and vines, as well as clear streams and waterfalls.

China now has eight villages on the list, more than any other country in the world.

The UNWTO commenced the selection of the "Best Tourism Villages" in 2021. This year, 63 countries submitted 258 applications, resulting in the inclusion of 54 villages from 32 countries.

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