'Volcano community' discovers bedrock of success

"Our homestay is right next to the crater parks," Huang tells me."Tourism has been booming with more and more people visiting here. We also promote the local farm produce and villagers can sell it on our doorstep."

Huang is not alone in flying the flag of local produce. Hong Qiang is a college graduate that returned to Shicha in 2018 to start his own business. He too operates a successful homestay which produces a particular homegrown specialty popular among tourists-black bean tofu.

Making it is an arduous and time-consuming process, but Huang's steady hand and determination mirror his desire for success.

"When I returned to my hometown in 2018, I was impressed with changes," Huang says."So, I started my own agritourism business, hoping to increase my income and promote the local delicacies."

As I make my way up the slopes of the volcano, I am swept along by a healthy bustle of visitors eager to make the summit and survey the view. At the peak, it dawns on me why so many people have come back to their hometown of Shicha. It's not just to be better off financially, it's for views like this.