Seven Chinese Villages Named Among UNWTO’s Best Tourism Villages 2024

Published on November 16, 2024

By: Paramita Sarkar

Seven picturesque villages in China have been honored as the Best Tourism Villages 2024 by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) during its 122nd Executive Council session in Cartagena, Colombia.

The accolade highlights the villages’ exceptional commitment to cultural preservation and sustainable tourism practices.

The recognized villages include:

• Azheke, Yunnan Province
• Guanyang, Fujian Province
• Shibadong, Hunan Province
• Taoping, Sichuan Province
• Xiaogang, Anhui Province
• Xitou, Zhejiang Province
• Yandunjiao, Shandong Province

Showcasing China’s Cultural and Geographical Diversity

These villages represent the vast rural diversity of China, from the highlands of Yunnan to the coastal landscapes of Shandong.

Each village showcases unique cultural traditions, with communities such as the Hakka, Miao, and Hani peoples offering a glimpse into China’s rich, multifaceted heritage.

Recognizing Sustainable and Cultural Tourism

Launched in 2021, the UNWTO’s Best Tourism Villages program celebrates destinations that effectively leverage tourism to preserve cultural landscapes, traditions, and biodiversity.

This initiative also emphasizes the importance of ecological stewardship and local culinary diversity.

With the addition of these seven villages, China now boasts 15 villages on the prestigious list, underscoring the nation’s ongoing efforts to balance modernization with the preservation of its rural heritage.

A Growing Commitment to Sustainable Tourism

These recognitions highlight China’s dedication to sustainable development in rural areas, using tourism as a tool to protect its ecological and cultural legacy while fostering economic growth in local communities.