—Spruced up Rural Village Opens its Arms to City Dwellers 

Putaoyu, literally meaning "grape valley," is home to 20 rural households hiding deep in the Yanshan Mountain of northeast Beijing, in Beizhuang Township, Miyun County. Over the last two years, every autumn I visited the place, not only for its charming natural scenery, but also to see the changes taking place in this tiny village, from cement pavements, bright street lamps, public toilets to newly installed solar water heaters.

A patrol team has been organized to act as guards for the natural environment and village sanitation. The clean village in such a tranquil valley has become increasingly accessible to urban residents in recent years. At the village entrance a large billboard, proclaims, "A Folklore Village Tour."

The newly painted farmhouses are adorned with red lanterns hanging high above gates and paper cuts of the windows. As authorized host families for visitors, these farmers now have much contact with urbanites and have become more open in their outlook on life.

It demands an investment to develop the tourism industry, and outsiders were worried about whether the costs of refurbishing the village could be recovered. But Xu Zhenbao, a 48-year-old farmer in Putaoyu is full of confidence. As the first household permitted to host visitors, Xu boasts the lush vegetation, the fresh air and the agreeable weather of his home village.

Indeed, he has every reason to be proud and is highly knowledgeable of the many flora and fauna species that make up the picturesque environment. On my most recent visit to the village, Xu was pleased to tell me that more urban visitors were driving to this area on weekends.

With transportation improved and television popular, farmers are stepping out of obscurity. Villagers in Putaoyu are well-informed of ongoing changes in the metropolis. Xu Yunlu, 50, is a thoughtful farmer, who understands that health and hygiene are important considerations for his guests, "But it cannot all be like hotels in cities. They are here to experience our lifestyle and should enjoy our special cuisine, like dumplings, cakes, and dishes cooked with local herbs," Xu said.

To the west of Putaoyu is the Miyun Reservoir, a major water supply for Beijing, where industrial construction is forbidden in surrounding areas. This is the reason why Putaoyu villagers choose ecological tourism instead of other ways of development. But just how folklore tourism will be further developed is now a keenly and widely debated issue in rural China.

(China.org.cn)