Tourism revitalizes China's northernmost village

Golden colors adorn Beihong village, China's northernmost village in Mohe city, Heilongjiang province, in October.

Previously stricken with poverty, farmers of Beihong now lead a rosy life by running homestays as urbanites pour into the village, which is nestled in the Greater Khingan Range, for a countryside retreat.

"The peaceful views and a comfy homestay set in wooded grounds make me feel at ease," said a tourist surnamed Zhang, who has driven from south China's Shenzhen to enjoy the holiday in Beihong.

However, over a decade ago, the village struggled to face harsh environmental conditions, including floods during the summer, and extreme cold weather during the winter.

"The severe weather made it hard for us to make a living, and there were few visitors back then. Many villagers even considered relocating," said a local farmer, Zhang Cuihua.

Changes started to take place in 2012. A slew of measures was introduced to help the village shake off poverty, including improved infrastructure and favorable policies to boost the local tourism sector.

Local tourism development has gradually revitalized the economy and improved the livelihood in Beihong village thanks to tremendous poverty alleviation efforts.

"We rely on our natural resources to attract tourists, and the unique views have attracted travelers from all around the country," said Shi Jiyou, a village cadre.