Old ladies dry chrysanthemum flowers outside a window in Huangling village, Nov 16, 2014. [Photo by Jiang Wanjuan/chinadaily.com.cn]

About Huangling

Located in East China's Jiangxi province, Huangling village is under the administration of Wuyuan county, a popular destination known as "China's most beautiful countryside".

But unlike the other villages popular with tourists in Wuyuan, Huangling went through difficult times before Wu was engaged in its tourism development in 2009.

Hanging on the middle of a mountain, the village had been largely destroyed by mudslides. About half of the villagers had moved out and the rest had to live in dilapidated houses. There was only a small stone road connecting the village to the outside world. The village also suffered perennial water shortages. Children had to walk down the mountain for school once they reached the fourth grade, and medical services were limited.

Five years later, and Huangling is set to open to tourists this year, and it is already labeled as "China's most beautiful symbol". Through an equity swap deal with Wu's company, native households have moved into new homes in flat areas not far from the original village. They were also invited to return and work in the scenic spot in various occupations. Some work as hospitality staff, some run folk art shops, some are employed to perform traditional activities and interact with visitors. Wu also plans to invite some households to move back to give the village more vitality. Tourism has therefore become a solution for the villagers.