By cooperating with tourism companies from the tourist city Guilin, villagers became stakeholders in developing the land into a unique terraced landscape.

"My family plants nearly 10,000 mu (around 666 hectares) of rice on the terraced fields, and that means a year-end bonus of over 10,000 yuan (about $1,478)," Pan said, adding that they all maintain the traditional ethnic architecture.

Villagers like Pan also sniffed out the growing business opportunities in catering and accommodation as more visitors poured in.

During this year's Spring Festival, around 230 homestays across the village are expected to be fully booked, said Yu Qiongtong, Party chief of Dazhai.

Celebrations and various kinds of activities will also be held to present the rich history of the Yao ethnic group. Tourists from home and abroad have great interests not only in the beautiful landscape but the culture, said Pan.

"I have prepared an abundance of local cuisines and specialties such as sausages, chilies, and sticky rice in bamboo to welcome tourists during the upcoming new year," Pan said.