UN chooses 2 Chinese villages as best for tourism

By Zhang Li in Nanning

Dazhai village, famous for its terraced landscapes and Yao ethnic culture in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, was named among the Best Tourism Villages in the world by the United Nations World Tourism Organization on Sunday, along with Jingzhu village in Chongqing.

The award ceremony was held in Al Ula, in western Saudi Arabia.

Dazhai village has a history of step farming that goes back about 2,300 years, forming a unique and beckoning landscape.

Zurab Pololikashvili, secretary-general of the UNWTO, spoke highly of China's rural development in recent years, saying he believed its tourism industry will pick up in the next few months.

The Best Tourism Villages initiative originated in 2021 to advocate cultural heritage protection and sustainable development.

China now has four Best Tourism Villages, including Yucun village in Zhejiang province and Xidi ancient village in Anhui province.