'Beautiful Countryside Project' creates Hainan business owners

A scenic attraction in Nanqiang village, Bo'ao, Hainan Province, April 3, 2018. [Photo: China Plus/Ge Anna]

Colorful gardens, artfully designed villas, neatly decorated detours... Nanqiang village does not fit into the stereotype of the Chinese countryside, thanks to the "enterprise+ co-op+ farmer" project, initiated by the Bo'ao township, Hainan Province. With upgraded infrastructure and the growth of businesses such as eco-tourism startups, former villagers and fishermen have become self-employed business owners.

A local garden in Nanqiang village, Bo'ao, Hainan Province, April 3, 2018. [Photo: China Plus/Ge Anna]

Since Bo'ao initiated its "Beautiful Countryside Project" in April 2017, the government has been pushing hard to improve livelihoods. The main objective is to ensure villagers benefit during the entire process, from business development to social management and environment improvements.

A coffee corner for people to rest in Nanqiang village, Bo'ao, Hainan Province, April 3, 2018. [Photo: China Plus/Ge Anna]

The "Beautiful Countryside Project," promoting villages with unique scenery and cultural traits, operates on 4 basic principals: government investment, social involvement, market operations and people as the beneficiaries. The local government has already spent 2.26 billion yuan to upgrade the infrastructure, including connecting villages to major expressways. Six village co-ops have also been created, including one in the village of Nanqiang which involves a thousand people pooling their resources to develop local tourism.

A "Bed & Bar" home-stay Nanqiang village, Bo'ao, Hainan Province, April 3, 2018. [Photo: China Plus/Ge Anna]

Tea house displaying wood carving artwork in Nanqiang village, Bo'ao, Hainan Province, April 3, 2018. [Photo: China Plus/Ge Anna]