Rural transformation turns abandoned country house into popular book bar

In a picturesque rural setting, an abandoned countryside dwelling has been reborn as a book bar offering coffee under ginkgo trees. Located in Qiansha village, Yangzhou, this renovation, as part of the rural transformation, took over two months.

The exterior wall of the house, now a book bar, was rennovated.[Photo/WeChat account: yzs_lyj]

The village, facing development obstacles, adopted an innovative approach to rural revitalization. After gaining experience from other areas and reaching a consensus through group discussion, the concept of building a cultural book bar was introduced, offering a space for reading, tea, coffee, cultural and creative activities, and exhibitions.

Books, plants and shelfs inside grace the bar with aroma of coffee beans.[Photo/WeChat account: yzs_lyj]

The concept not only breathed life into the idle homesteads but also served as a new income source for the village. The book bar has been promoted by young cadres and villagers via Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, and Xiaohongshu, leading many businesses to schedule group activities.

The Economic Development Zone of Gaoyou where the village is administered is making strides in comprehensive rural revitalization, introducing new developmental models, ideas and experiences. Beyond Qiansha village, other villages are also developing their own sectors.

The book bar offers the village new sources of incomes, diversifying its economy.[Photo/WeChat account: yzs_lyj]

In the next step, villages plan to capitalize more on their local culture and the internet to establish a connected cultural and tourism hub.

The transformation of the abandoned rural house into a vibrant book bar showcases the potential of rural areas to adapt and thrive. It offers visitors a glimpse of the countryside's serene charm and cultural richness and has diversified how rural economies develop in the new era.