Shibadong Village Named UNWTO "Best Tourism Village"

The list of "Best Tourism Villages" for 2024 was recently announced at the 122nd session of the Executive Council of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in Colombia. Seven villages in China have earned a coveted spot on the list. The villages are Azheke Village in Yunnan, Guanyang Village in Fujian, Shibadong Village in Hunan, Taoping Village in Sichuan, Xiaogang Village in Anhui, Xitou Village in Zhejiang, and Yandunjiao Village in Shandong. China now has 15 villages on the list in total.

This year, a total of 48 villages from 24 countries have been selected. China stands out as the country with the most candidates and ranks first worldwide in the number of selected villages.

Shibadong Village is located in Huayuan County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province. In 2013, the concept of targeted poverty alleviation was first introduced in Shibadong Village and subsequently implemented nationwide. Now the village serves as a window to observe the development of Chinese-style modern villages.

Relying on unique natural resources such as mountains, waters, forests, fields, streams, and caves, Shibadong Village has restored ancient post roads and enriched cultural experience formats including Miao embroidery experience halls. This integration of culture and tourism aims to stimulate new momentum for rural development.

The photo shows a view of Shibadong Village, Shuanglong Town, Huayuan County. (Photo/Li Jian, Hunan Daily)