Barren stone quarry turned into rural tourism hub

A newly built 120-square-meter lifestyle aesthetics center offers yoga and Pilates activities, while a stylish restaurant and cafe, converted from former quarry management offices and workshops, serve as social hubs.

According to Zhou Song, the owner, the site attracts up to 1,000 visitors daily during peak seasons, totaling more than 100,000 tourists annually and generating revenue exceeding five million yuan ($698,330). The guesthouse accommodates 400 diners simultaneously and provides stable employment for nearly 30 local villagers, each earning an average annual income of about 50,000 yuan.

In 2022, the village collective economic cooperative invested in Jibai's surrounding projects, increasing the village's annual income by 150,000 yuan.

The story of this transformation began in the early 2000s when Zhou's father leased the land for stone mining. Despite initial economic benefits, excessive mining led to severe environmental degradation. Recognizing the need for change, Zhou's father closed the quarry at the end of 2016.