Russia, resort help Jilin locales prosper

In Nanyang village in Shulan city, Jilin province, about half the residents do business in Russia, drawn by its proximity. With only about 100 households, the village has an average annual net income per person of 55,000 yuan ($7,585), higher than the national average.

Five years ago, villagers began transforming Nanyang into a Russian-style town. In addition to basic ice and snow tourism facilities, the village now features the Nanyang Museum, a Russian nesting doll factory and other attractions.

Walking through the village, visitors encounter European-style street lamps and Russian architecture, offering an exotic experience without leaving China.

Thirty years ago, Zhao Jingdong, a farmer from nearby Xiaocheng town, traveled to Russia in search of job opportunities. By 2003, he had established his own denim stall at Moscow's Izmailovsky Market, the largest open-air wholesale market in Europe.