Confucius' birthplace cashes in on rural tourism

Luyuan's success in attracting tourists through its cultural advantages exemplifies Qufu's attempts to leverage its rich cultural heritage for comprehensive rural vitalization.

In addition to the thriving rural tourism sector, the preservation and development of intangible cultural heritage in the countryside play a vital role in rural vitalization in Qufu.

Traditional crafts such as Dazhuang silk flower production and mulberry papermaking are driving the growth of the "courtyard economy" in Qufu's villages, enabling villagers to increase their incomes, according to local media reports.

Qufu has a permanent population of 617,700, including 214,500 rural residents.

By embracing the use of its rich cultural heritage as a path to rural prosperity, Qufu has fostered culture-driven agricultural and industrial growth.

In the first three quarters of last year, revenue from recreational agriculture and rural tourism reached 376 million yuan ($53 million), up 135 percent on the same period in 2022, when COVID-19 restrictions limited domestic travel.