Grand Horticultural Expo to boost rural tourism
Updated 20:02, 18-Apr-2019
Wang Mengzhen
["china"]
02:48
Beijing's upcoming International Horticultural Expo means big business for small communities. One village just outside the capital city has seen a surge in visitors thanks to the expo. CGTN went to one around the expo venue to take a closer look at the potentials.
The Great Wall at the section of Shixia Pass is known for its broken fragments and watchtowers dating back to ancient times, drawing visitors from far and wide every day. At its base, a village with the same name is also attracting tourists. These courtyards serve as important getaways for more urban dwellers.
“My friend recommended I come here," said one tourist. "The grilled pork dish and fried eggs with stones are their specialties. When the dishes are served, it gives me a sense of ritual. Sometimes we even have to book in advance."  
At the Beijing Shiguang Great Wall Boutique Inn, regular visitor Zhang Yanyi is with family and friends. “Unlike ordinary hotels, these countryside courtyards combine modern living and eating local delicacies, and it's a great opportunity to appreciate nature, particularly for our children," Zhang said.
This boutique inn at Shixia Village of the Yanqing District, Beijing is one of the 124 guesthouses branded as a “horticultural homestay” by local authorities. /CGTN Photo

This boutique inn at Shixia Village of the Yanqing District, Beijing is one of the 124 guesthouses branded as a “horticultural homestay” by local authorities. /CGTN Photo

About a half-hour's drive from the garden expo venue, the boutique inn is one of the 124 guesthouses branded as a “horticultural homestay” by local authorities. It aims to offer guests an extension of their expo tours.
“We've stayed here many times. This time though I notice different things, like the indigenous fresh flowers and plants decorated in our guest rooms. Meanwhile, the service quality is always improving every time we came,” Zhang said.
Inn owner He Yuling said preparation for the horticultural event is not done, as the spring flower bloom just started.
“We've planted different types of flowers in different yards. Within a few weeks, each yard will turn into a mini-pavilion such as a rose- or peony-themed yard. We are also training our staff to learn basic spoken English to better communicate with foreign guests,” said He.
Three years ago, when she took over the inn operations, He had her work cut out. “Few visitors came here because of its remoteness. And many yards were old and had even collapsed. But it has a very rich history. So, we decided to renovate more than 20 yards. Our business also brought jobs and revenue to local villagers and related industries,” she recalled.
A local-flavored "homestay" in Yanqing. /CGTN Photo

A local-flavored "homestay" in Yanqing. /CGTN Photo

And now Beijing Shiguang Great Wall Boutique Inn is grander than ever. So much so that on weekends and holidays, its more than 40 guest rooms can't keep up with demand. 
"In fact, our rooms are fully booked for the coming Labor Day holiday, and many other guests have been put onto a waiting list," He said. "And for our restaurant, a total of more than 2,000 diners are expected for the four-day holiday. The number could be even bigger during the expo."  
Local authorities are behind the restoration of these old yards to boost Yanqing District's rural tourism, which has already taken the lead among Beijing's 16 districts.
“Relying on the impact of both the horticultural expo and the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, many businesses are investing in Yanqing. Authorities have also massively funded preservation of the ecological environment. Within just three years, rural tourism has grown by leaps and bounds,” said Zheng Aijuan, deputy director of Yanqing's Tourism and Culture Bureau.
Local authorities say that after the expo, many of Yanqing's vacation homes and yards will be redesigned to complement the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, offering a treat for winter sports fans from around the world.
(Cover: This boutique inn in Shixia Village of the Yanqing District, Beijing, is one of the 124 guesthouses branded as a “horticultural homestay” by local authorities. /CGTN Photo)