Children fly kites in Jiaxing's countryside. [Photo/tidenews.com]

In a remarkable demonstration of rural vitalization, Jiaxing in Zhejiang province has emerged as a model of countryside innovation in recent years, offering valuable insights into China's rural development strategy.

In Changqin village, Jiaxing, farmland has been made an agritourism destination, drawing over 7,000 visitors each weekend since its launch in April last year. Supported by young local entrepreneurs, the villiage has boosted revenues past 1 million yuan ($137,129).

Changqin village encourages residents to start businesses locally. For example, on weekends and holidays they can participate in the "Young Market" to sell fresh agricultural products, local specialties, and intangible cultural heritage handicrafts.

Meanwhile, Longxiao village in Haining city, Jiaxing, has shifted from pig farming to a model of low-carbon demonstration village. Its 5 megawatt solar-panel-covered mushroom sheds produce 5.5 million kilowatt-hour yearly while yielding crops worth 15 million yuan. The village now features solar-powered streetlights and smart waste bins as part of its green transition.

Further north, Xujiadai village in Pinghu city, Jiaxing, has turned baseball into an economic driver. After hosting over 40 tournaments in 2024, visitors hit 550,000, lifting the village's collective income to 15 million yuan. Nearby vollages have also benefited through shared workshops, increasing local earnings by 40,000 yuan per person annually.

With agritourism, clean energy, and sports-led growth, Jiaxing's villages show China's rural transformation.