Camping base in the mountains boosts economy

By Shen Yuan, Yichang International Communication Studio

Bi Haiqing from Zhengjiabang Village in Yichang has turned his hometown into a popular camping base, bringing new opportunities to local villagers.



In 2020, the village invited Bi to return home and help develop the local economy. With a deep sense of nostalgia and his parents still living there, he decided to return and start his own business.

With the camping industry seeing a recent popularity rise in Yichang, Bi decided to develop spot for camping in his hometown of Ligongziyan.

Ligongziyan used to serve as an outdoor traveling route. Many backpackers from surrounding cities come here to hike and explore. The top of the mountain is an excellent viewpoint, where you can enjoy the sunrise and night view of the city.

It took Bi nearly seven months to develop the campgrounds.







Not only does the beautiful scenery attract tourists, but also the authentic Tujia food.

Changyang Tujia bacon hot pot is the base's specialty. With its long-time-stewed white soup base still bubbling, its taste and unique aroma of bacon is perfect after a long day outdoors. Delicious!



Since opening in April, this “scenery, cuisine and camping” base has gone viral on the Internet, attracting tourists from neighboring cities, such as Wuhan, Jingzhou and Jingmen.

With the gradual prosperity of the camping business, Bi began purchasing local-flavored goods from the villagers. He encourages villagers to raise chickens and plant vegetables, then sell them to the tourists, so that more and more can achieve employment and wealth at their own doorstep.

Three Gorges Daily's Gao Ran, Qin Dan and Li Yin contributed the original Chinese story for this report.

Photo by Bi Haiqing.