Once impoverished village in S China's Hainan thrives through tea and tourism

Photo shows Maona village, Shuiman township, Wuzhishan city, south China's Hainan Province. (People's Daily Online/Fu Wuping)

Once plagued by poverty, a small village in south China's Hainan Province has blazed a trail to prosperity by developing the tea industry in tandem with tourism.

Tucked beneath the main peak of Wuzhishan Mountain, Maona village in Shuiman township, Wuzhishan city, boasts breathtaking views. But back in 2021, the village's per capita disposable income was merely 15,000 yuan (about $2092.77), with over half of the population having only just emerged from poverty.

Back then, the villagers only grew some tea and rice, but they didn't fetch good prices and it was not easy to explore sales channels, said Wang Juru, owner of Heru Handmade Tea Workshop. She added that changes began to take place in 2022.

In April that year, Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visited the village during his inspection tour of the province. He took part in frying tea leaves at a tea-making workshop, and bought two packets of tea.

Aerial photo shows Maona village, Shuiman township, Wuzhishan city, south China's Hainan Province. (People's Daily Online/Fu Wuping)

"General Secretary Xi encouraged us to develop our tea business and live a prosperous life," recalled Wang Juru, adding that his words guided the village toward an eco-friendly model integrating agriculture and tourism.

Without demolishing houses, cutting down trees and occupying farmland, the village leveraged the culture of the local Li ethnic group and ecological resources.

The village's boutique homestays hotels will soon begin operations. The village comes alive with regular cultural events, including Li and Miao ethnic art exhibitions, tea ceremonies and bonfire gatherings. Since 2024, the village has received 129,500 tourist visits, generating over 6.47 million yuan in tourism revenue.

The village has expanded its tea cultivation area from over 500 mu (about 33.33 hectares) in 2021 to more than 2,630 mu. A premium local tea variety has become the "golden leaf" for villagers, bringing in another 20,000 yuan on average for each household.

Photo shows Maona village, Shuiman township, Wuzhishan city, south China's Hainan Province. (People's Daily Online/Fu Wuping)

In 2024, the village collective income neared 2.04 million yuan. Thanks to a mechanism that integrates cooperatives and farmers, 29 villagers found jobs close to home, while 86 formerly impoverished households steadily improved their livelihoods by joining the expanded value chains.

"Today, the majority of our villagers make their living from tourism right at their doorsteps, without having to work outside like before," said Wang Zhengzhu, an official of the village. As visitor numbers grew, Maona also encouraged villagers to transform their courtyards into homestay hotels and specialty shops.

In 2024, the village's per capita disposable income reached 23,600 yuan. "Our village is thriving, while the villagers are living a better life. Everyone feels motivated in their work and hopeful about the future!" the official added.

A woman of the Li ethnic group weaves brocade in Maona village, Shuiman township, Wuzhishan city, south China's Hainan Province. (People's Daily Online/Fu Wuping)

Photo shows cultural and creative products in Maona village, Shuiman township, Wuzhishan city, south China's Hainan Province. (People's Daily Online/Fu Wuping)