Going South | China-Laos Friendship Villages

Longji Rice Terraces are world-renowned tourist attractions. Dazhai Village is located deep within the Longji Mountains, and due to its steep and remote location, it has long endured hardship and poverty. Over the past four decades, the local people have adapted to their environment and transformed the rice terraces into a unique cultural landscape, turning Dazhai Village into a prosperous community famous far and wide through the development of tourism. Under the support of the China-aided Pilot Project of Poverty Reduction Cooperation in Laos, Dazhai Village formed a sister village partnership with Xienglom Village in Luang Prabang, Laos. Since 2018, Xienglom Village's chief Bentanong has visited Dazhai Village twice. Using Dazhai Village's experience as a guide, Xienglom Village has started to develop its rural tourism economy under the leadership of its village officials.