Creativity paints a vibrant rural art scene

"My biggest dream is for tourists to hear the melodious rhythms of the flute before they come here," she says.

About 30 km to the northeast of Zijing, calligraphy culture has taken shape in Nanshan village.

Local authorities set up a calligraphy association in 2015, which inspired many villagers to pick up the art form. Nanshan was designated a calligraphy village last year.

Elsewhere in Yuhang, art galleries and homestays of Song Dynasty (960-1279) style have sprung up in Jingshan town, while museums dedicated to textile shuttles and elements of the lunar calendar have been opened in Baizhang town, and a cluster of intangible cultural heritage halls displaying paper umbrellas, kites, jade ware, porcelain, silkworm breeding and mulberry growing have been opened in Pingyao town.

Those artistic endeavors have vitalized rural resources, and helped promote the integrated development of agriculture, culture and tourism, and ultimately, the rural economy.

During the first six months of this year, the collective operating income of villages in Yuhang rose to 506 million yuan, and disposable incomes rose to 30,257 yuan per person, an increase of 6.5 percent year-on-year, according to the district.

The number of agricultural leisure tourists rose to 2.81 million, generating revenues of 425 million yuan.

Chen Dong, who was in charge of the recent art festival in Qingshan village, found that inserting art into the rural landscape can be an effective path toward the sustainable development of rural areas.

"The art festival in Qingshan was not only a celebration for art lovers, but also an excellent opportunity to attract talent and businesses," Chen says.

Contact the writer at yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn