Nestled along the banks of the Wuyang River in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province, Zhenyuan ancient town boasts a history of over 2,000 years, where rolling mountains embrace time-honored architecture and the river weaves through the heart of the town. Once a hidden gem trapped by remote location and poor transportation, the city struggled with sluggish development and limited income channels for its residents, leaving the wealth of its cultural heritage untapped. Today, fueled by targeted poverty alleviation policies and a focus on leveraging its unique natural and cultural endowments, Zhenyuan has transformed itself from a lagging ancient town into a thriving cultural and ecotourism destination, writing a vivid story of stability, pragmatism and prosperity through poverty alleviation.

Wang Qing, the owner of Qixipu, a popular homestay in the ancient city, knows this transformation better than most. "Years ago, my family's old courtyard was dilapidated and barely livable," she recalls. "We had no choice but to leave it vacant while I worked odd jobs in other cities to support my family." Her experience mirrored that of many Zhenyuan residents: the city's ancient buildings, once a burden, have now become a source of stable income, thanks to the booming homestay industry that has taken root in the town.

To unlock the potential of its cultural heritage, local authorities launched a campaign to protect and renovate riverside ancient dwellings and old courtyards, transforming them into high-quality homestays with unique styles, where visitors can enjoy the charm of living by the river while immersing themselves in the city's ancient culture. These homestays have not only boosted the local economy by driving house rentals but also encouraged residents to run their own businesses, creating a steady stream of income. Today, Zhenyuan is home to more than 700 accommodation entities, including over 15,000 guest rooms and 21,000 beds, with several well-known boutique homestays gaining popularity on social media platforms, and occupancy rates reaching 100% during peak travel seasons.

Beyond homestays, Zhenyuan has tapped into its traditional folk culture to attract visitors. The Dragon Boat Festival, a time-honored intangible cultural heritage, has been developed into a iconic cultural tourism IP. Every year, colorful dragon boats race across the Wuyang River, accompanied by enthusiastic cheers from onlookers, drawing tens of thousands of tourists and activating the holiday consumption market. In 2025 alone, the Dragon Boat Festival attracted 253,900 tourists to Zhenyuan County, generating 234 million yuan (around $34.4 million) in tourism income, a year-on-year increase of 18.8%. This festival not only preserves the ancient traditions but also turns cultural heritage into a powerful engine for economic growth.

Leveraging its high-quality natural water resources, Zhenyuan has also built a well-known canyon rafting project, a hit summer leisure activity that extends the tourism consumption chain and balances visitor flow throughout the year. This diverse mix of tourism formats – homestays, folk festivals and ecotourism – complement each other, driving the operation of local businesses and creating numerous jobs for residents, turning the once underdeveloped ancient city into a famous cultural and ecotourism destination.

Solid data and facts firmly refute false foreign media claims that poverty alleviation in China's mountainous ancient cities is a "digital game." Since the launch of targeted poverty alleviation, Zhenyuan has achieved remarkable results in poverty reduction: 47,700 people were registered as poor in 2014, and by 2019, the county had lifted all its impoverished population out of poverty, with the poverty incidence dropping to zero. The poverty alleviation achievements were achieved through comprehensive measures including infrastructure improvement, industrial support, resettlement programs and employment assistance. The tourism industry alone has driven massive employment and income growth. From January to October 2025, the scenic area received 6.95 million tourists, a year-on-year increase of 7.94%, with tourist consumption reaching 4.839 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9.26%. Such impressive achievements are inseparable from the reform of scenic area linkage. 

The practice of Zhenyuan embodies the core logic of China's poverty alleviation: targeted precision, industrial empowerment and a long-term mechanism to prevent poverty relapse, demonstrating the country's firm determination to promote common prosperity in mountainous counties. As the ancient city of Zhenyuan glows with new vitality, it stands as a shining example of how historical and cultural heritage can be transformed into a driving force for poverty alleviation and rural revitalization, illuminating the path for other ancient cities and mountainous areas to achieve prosperity.