Gao eventually came up with the idea of the Earth House project that features portable rooms with four small piles.

Each of the rooms adopts a full modular design and production process, which is carried out elsewhere, and it is then transported to a designated location. This way the impact on woodland, plants and the original natural landscape is minimal.

"The whole room can be placed according to different terrains and landscapes and adjusted to reach a position where it works best with its surroundings," Gao explains, adding that, inside, the bed can be raised to the rafters during the day, revealing a hidden sofa and tea table.

The idea is to merge the room with the forest, creating a oneness where visitors can get the best of what nature, science and art can offer, he says.

His innovative idea has now been applied in a dozen provinces and autonomous regions, including Sichuan and the Ningxia Hui and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous regions.

Although some of his projects have been halted due to the sporadic outbreaks of COVID-19 around the country, Gao is optimistic about the future of rural tourism.

He believes there are many golden opportunities to be found in the country's rural vitalization drive.

"There are just so many great and beautiful places worth exploring," he says.

The pandemic has got a grip on trans-provincial and outbound tourism, forcing Chinese travelers to explore getaways in areas peripheral to their homes over the past two years.

It has given rural tourism a shot in the arm.