Boosted by tradition, Yao village rides high on tourism

Residents of Dazhai village in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region hang their signature red clothes in the sun to be blessed during the Clothes Drying Festival. TANG GUANGDONG/FOR CHINA DAILY

NANNING — In the height of summer, the normally tranquil village of Dazhai in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region becomes a bustling hub for tourists seeking to experience its ethnic appeal.

The Clothes Drying Festival, one of the most important celebrations of the Red Yao ethnic group, a subgroup of the Yao, fell on July 11 this year. Every year, on the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, they hang their signature red clothes in the sun to be blessed.

To accommodate the growing number of visitors this year, the one-day festival was extended to a three-day holiday, lasting from July 10 to July 12. Festivities included toasting songs, wine and folk performances.

"The village has a stunning environment, fresh air and it's clean. Here, we feel not only connected to nature but also immersed in the traditions of local ethnic groups," says a tourist named Nicolas, who visited the village with his friend Austina, both from Argentina.

Located in the core area of the famous Longji Rice Terraces tourist attraction, the hamlet was named among the Best Tourism Villages of 2022 by the World Tourism Organization for its breathtaking agricultural views.

"I brought my children here during their summer vacation to experience the customs of ethnic groups," says Chen Haijuan from Fujian province.

"This is my ideal countryside, with beautiful landscapes and modern amenities. Seeing villagers in their red clothes in the green hills is striking. It leaves a lasting impression for the contrast of colors," Chen adds.

Deep in the mountains, Dazhai was once difficult to reach, accessed by a narrow mud path zigzagging through the hills. Daily necessities and farming items had to be delivered by cart, says Yu Qiongtong, Party chief of Dazhai.

Faced with challenging living conditions and a deteriorating environment, the villagers turned to their mountains, vast lands and culture.

Working with tourism companies from Guilin, Guangxi, they transformed their surroundings into a terraced landscape that delights in all seasons and became stakeholders in its development.

The influx of tourists encouraged young people from the village who had previously sought work elsewhere to return and start businesses.

According to Pan Dexiong, who returned in 2018 and now runs a guesthouse with 10 rooms, a coffee shop and a restaurant, tourists love the village's coffee and milk tea shops, which become lively social hubs.

"I'm improving my English skills so that I can share our stories and customs with foreign visitors," Pan says.

In 2023, the village welcomed 708,000 domestic and international tourists, generating a total income of 7.25 million yuan ($1 million), according to Pan Ligao, deputy Party chief of Dazhai.

Thanks to the development of tourism, more and more villagers have realized the importance of preserving the culture of the Yao people. "Many young people from the village have begun to learn our traditional skills. Tourism has given Yao culture a new life," says Yu.