From the terraced rice fields in Southwest China's Yunnan province and beyond, rural tourism has been a key driver in local economic development, transforming once-quiet villages into thriving cultural hubs.

Over the past two decades, China has turned remote communities into sought-after destinations by blending heritage preservation, infrastructure development and community entrepreneurship. The model has contributed to lifting millions out of poverty while reshaping the countryside.

Across Africa, similar potential remains largely untapped. From highland farming communities in Ethiopia to cultural villages in Kenya, historic settlements in Ghana and scenic countryside retreats in South Africa, the continent's rural landscapes and traditions hold a wealth of tourism opportunities waiting to be developed.

Experts say China's rural tourism journey offers timely lessons for African countries seeking to diversify tourism beyond wildlife attractions, beaches and urban conference centers.

Emmanuel Matambo, research director at the Centre for Africa-China Studies at the University of Johannesburg, said Africa should consider pairing its rural communities with their counterparts in China.

"Historically, it has been urban cities such as Johannesburg that have been paired with cities outside the continent," Matambo said. "This could also be extended to rural communities, which have a lot to emulate from rural Chinese cities."

Africa has a rich history from which both the continent and the rest of the world can benefit, he said. African countries could develop rural tourism by investing in road infrastructure, security and power generation to make rural areas more accessible and secure, he added.

Matambo also emphasized the important role of technology. "If technologies penetrate Africa's rural areas as they have in China, tourists ... would not feel cut off from their daily routine," he said.

Itumeleng Dube, a lecturer in the Department of Public Administration and Management at the University of South Africa, said African countries could package traditions and rituals as tourism offerings, while ensuring that village profiles are accessible online.

"African countries should categorize and document their cultures, heritage and traditions and post them online so that tourists (can) have an idea of what the package looks like instead of discovering it only when they arrive," Dube said.

Rural tourism should go beyond the dancing and drumming that has often been highlighted in marketing campaigns, he said.

"Cultural origin stories and traditions should also be narrated as part of the experience," he said.

Visitors, he added, could learn about the village, the meaning behind its name and the economic activities that contribute to the broader economy.

South Africa has cultural villages in most provinces that showcase different cultural groups, dialects and traditions while telling their unique stories, Dube said.

Rural leaders could partner with academic institutions and national government to develop strategies for promoting tourism, he added.

Thato Mothopeng, national coordinator of the South African Township and Village Tourism Association, said African culture remains one of the continent's most underutilized tourism assets.

"In addition to the landscape, one of the main reasons people visit Africa is to experience its culture," he said, urging countries to package cultural experiences and align them with hospitality services.

edithmutethya@chinadaily.com.cn