Art town

Established artists and art students usually stay in the town from five days to a month to observe the magnificent canyon and depict the scenery as it changes with the seasons on paper or canvas with pens and brushes. The town provides further inspiration with its predominant stone architecture.

Wei Jianhong was born and raised in Shibanyan and has witnessed significant changes in his hometown.

"Weeds grew wildly years earlier, and there was no road to the outside world," says Wei, the 43-year-old secretary-general of a Taihang Mountains art industry association.

Poverty had forced some locals to move out and those who stayed back trekked far with local produce on their shoulders to exchange for daily necessities.

"It was not until the art industry started to emerge that villagers managed to start businesses at their doorstep and became better-off," Wei says.

Yang Xian, a local resident, saw a business opportunity several years ago when he found some painters had trouble finding accommodation in the town.

From a rural homestay that offered local food, Yang's house has evolved into a big facility that provides catering, accommodation and training to sketch.

Since then, his annual income has reached 1 million yuan ($144,900), he says.