A mountain of opportunity

In 2017, some businessmen from Foshan, Guangdong came to visit the village. The following year, they began a cooperation with the relevant departments of Deqin county and established the Meili Xueda Lake Development Co., Ltd to foster the establishment of hotels and small bed and breakfast services where tourists can choose the household in which they prefer to stay. Coordinated by the company, they get to experience the home life and authentic cuisine of the region. The revenues are split evenly between the company and the villagers. The company also gives each household 10,000 yuan ($1,413) as an annual fixed income.

Sina Dingzhu was keenly aware of the business opportunity, and took the lead in building a bed and breakfast in the village. He originally made his meager living entirely on farming but, with the earnings from the bed and breakfast, last year, his family's income was close to 100,000 yuan.