
First Encounter with the Countryside
Last summer, I first set foot on the rural path leading to the deep mountains of Lin'an, Zhejiang. As a city girl who grew up in a concrete jungle, my impression of the countryside was limited to the simple concept of "farmhouse restaurants + guesthouses." However, the wheels of fate turn in mysterious ways - this visit turned into a 100-day stay that completely transformed all my preconceptions about rural tourism.
On my first day at the farmhouse courtyard, I was quite anxious. Various worries kept flashing through my mind: Would such a remote mountain village have any decent recreational facilities? Would the hygiene conditions be poor? Would snakes and insects visit at night? But when I pushed open that slightly weathered wooden door, the scene before me immediately left me amazed.
Everything in the farmhouse courtyard was full of life. Seasonal vegetables grew along both sides of the bluestone-paved path, and vines climbed up the fences, forming natural green curtains. In the center of the courtyard stood a lush old osmanthus tree, with bamboo chairs underneath that made for a perfect spot to chat and enjoy the cool shade.
What touched me most was Grandma Zhang in the courtyard, a genuine rural woman who prepared local specialty dishes for me every day with different recipes. From stir-fried fern with cured meat to bamboo shoot soup with duck, from mugwort rice cakes to wild vegetable buns, everything was handmade. Grandma Zhang wasn't just a good cook, but also a living encyclopedia - she taught me to identify more than twenty kinds of wild vegetables, each with its unique harvesting season and cooking method.
Bamboo shoots and banana flowers, bitter vegetables and Indian aster, dandelions and shepherd's purse, clover and tender ferns - each wild vegetable carries the wisdom of the countryside. Grandma Zhang told me that gathering wild vegetables requires knowledge; one must master the correct harvesting time and methods to ensure both taste and sustainable growth.
In-Depth Experience
During these 100 days, I was fortunate to witness the complete growth cycle of rice, from transplanting to harvesting. The scene of my first time in the paddy field still makes me chuckle. Wearing the boots Grandma Zhang prepared for me, I carefully stepped on the muddy ridge, afraid of falling face-first into the mud.
I remember my first time transplanting rice seedlings - I was completely clueless, planting them all crooked, making the old farmers laugh heartily. But they patiently taught me: rice transplanting requires mastering "three straights" - straight lines, straight standing, and straight spacing, while maintaining proper depth. After repeated practice, by harvest season, I could skillfully use the sickle, sweating alongside the villagers in the golden rice fields.
Those days working in the fields gave me a deep appreciation for farmers' hardships. Under the scorching sun, sweat streamed down our faces; on rainy days, our pants were covered in mud. But watching the seedlings I planted grow day by day brought a sense of achievement that no online shopping could match.
Most memorable was participating in the local annual pig-catching competition. This unique folk activity completely overturned my stereotypes about rural life. On competition day, the whole village was buzzing with excitement. The competing piglets were pre-oiled and ran freely in specially prepared muddy grounds. Dozens of participants in special clothing chased and played in the mud, creating a lively scene.
Although I ultimately failed to catch the slippery piglet, that pure joy remains fresh in my memory. Covered in mud from head to toe, we laughed like children. This authentic rural activity helped me experience the unique charm of village culture.
Cultural Heritage
During my rural stay, I met many admirable folk artists. The most impressive was Grandpa Li, the 84-year-old village carpenter. His workshop was filled with various traditional tools, dozens of differently shaped chisels hung on the walls, and various types of raw wood piled in the corners.
Grandpa Li is the village's last traditional carpenter, his craftsmanship passed down through generations. I was often mesmerized watching him skillfully use various tools to transform ordinary wood into exquisite furniture. He told me that young people nowadays all yearn for city life, and fewer and fewer want to learn traditional crafts.
So, I actively sought to learn from Grandpa Li. For an entire week, I learned basic woodworking skills from him. From material selection to sanding, mortising, and assembly, each step was a lesson in itself. Though I only learned the basics, this experience made me deeply understand the importance of preserving intangible cultural heritage.
The village also preserves a cluster of Ming and Qing dynasty buildings with 300 years of history. These buildings perfectly maintain the architectural style and characteristics of their time, serving as living history textbooks. At sunset, I loved sitting in the courtyard of the ancient residence, listening to village elders tell stories behind these buildings.
Those exquisite carvings and unique brick sculptures embody the wisdom and craftsmanship of ancient artisans. Under moonlight, these buildings seemed to speak, telling stories of centuries of changes. The elders told me these houses were built using mortise and tenon structures, standing firm for hundreds of years without a single nail.
Sustainable Development
As time passed, I increasingly understood the deeper meaning of rural tourism. It's not just a leisure activity but an important force driving rural revitalization. Take this village for example - last year, guesthouse income alone reached over 3 million yuan, increasing income for more than 20 farming households.
This income isn't limited to accommodation fees but includes sales of specialty agricultural products, farming experiences, handicraft production, and more. Many farmers have begun developing specialty products, such as handmade cured meat, dried wild vegetables, and handcrafted bamboo products, which have become popular souvenirs among tourists.
To maintain the village's cleanliness and beauty, the village established an environmental protection volunteer team. They organize weekly environmental cleanup efforts, clearing public area garbage and maintaining village appearance. Gradually, environmental awareness has taken root, and villagers take pride in their village.
However, some problems have emerged during development. For instance, during peak tourist seasons, some visitors randomly pick crops, litter, or even damage ancient buildings. To address these issues, the village has established detailed management systems, erected civilized tourism reminder signs in prominent locations, and arranged volunteers for patrol and guidance.
Through continuous efforts, the village's environmental sanitation has improved significantly. Tourists have gradually developed civilized tourism habits and learned to respect local cultural customs. This positive interaction has made rural tourism development more sustainable.
Future Outlook
These 100 days of in-depth experience completely changed my understanding of rural tourism. It not only allows us city dwellers to return to nature and relax but also drives rural economic development and promotes cultural inheritance. Now, I finally understand the true essence of rural tourism - it's a lifestyle choice, a preservation of traditional culture, and an expectation for rural futures.
In recent years, more young people have chosen to experience rural tourism and different lifestyles. Statistics show that in 2023, national rural tourism received over 3.5 billion visitors with income exceeding 1.8 trillion yuan. Behind these numbers lies the strong vitality of rural tourism development.
Young people are no longer satisfied with brief sightseeing visits but prefer to deeply experience rural life. Some come specifically to learn traditional crafts, some experience farming culture, and others even stay to start businesses, opening guesthouses or running agricultural e-commerce, injecting new vitality into rural development.
If you also want to experience genuine rural life, I recommend staying at least three days. Only then can you truly feel the countryside's charm. Wake up to birdsong in the morning, work in the fields at noon, listen to elders' stories at dusk, and fall asleep counting stars at night. These experiences will become your most precious memories.
Trust me, when you head home, you'll have a completely new understanding of rural tourism, just like I did. Because here, you can not only find poetic dwelling but also feel the vigorous power of China's rural revitalization. This is the charm of rural tourism and the fundamental reason for its sustainable development.
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