UN Tourism Names Four Chinese Locations as Best Villages 2025

Huanggang Village, a historic Dong ethnic village in Guizhou Province, has been recognized as one of the four best tourism villages by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for 2025. This announcement highlights not only the village's rich cultural heritage but also its potential as a vibrant destination for tourism.

The official recognition took place during a prominent event held in Anji County, Huzhou City, on October 17. Experts from across the globe congregated to celebrate rural tourism, emphasizing the importance of such initiatives in promoting sustainable development and cultural exchange.

The four Chinese villages recognized this year include Digang in Zhejiang Province, Huanggang in Guizhou Province, Jikayi in Sichuan Province, and Donglu in Jiangsu Province. Each village exhibits distinct environmental, cultural, and developmental attributes, showcasing the diverse landscape of rural China.

Sandra Carvao, UNWTO’s director of market intelligence, noted that China's progress in the Best Tourism Villages program reflects the nation's broader commitment to harnessing tourism as a means of fostering shared prosperity and alleviating poverty. The initiative aims to create new opportunities for rural communities and enhance their socio-economic status.

Digang Village boasts a remarkable legacy with its Mulberry Dyke and Fish Pond System, an eco-agricultural model recognized globally. This innovative framework supports a biodiversity of over 322 species, demonstrating the local community's dedication to sustainable practices led predominantly by women over the past two decades.

The historic village of Donglu, located in Jiangsu Province, has thrived for over 600 years through a harmonious relationship with its surrounding environment. Recognized as part of a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System, Donglu has effectively married cultural preservation with tourism growth, actively involving the local community in its initiatives.

Huanggang Village stands out with its 800-year-old heritage, characterized by terraced fields and a remarkable collection of traditional wooden structures. The village promotes sustainable tourism through community-led strategies that ensure equitable benefit-sharing among its residents, thereby reinforcing cultural continuity.

Jikayi Village in Sichuan Province, nestled within the historic Tea-Horse Road, is home to unique architectural styles and rich intangible cultural heritage. Women play a crucial role in maintaining these traditions while spearheading innovative tourism efforts, thereby enriching the local economy.

With these latest acknowledgments, China now proudly features 19 villages on the UN's prestigious global list. UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili remarked that these selections reflect the incredible cultural diversity and readiness of Chinese villages to embrace tourism as a tool for regional development.

The recognition of these villages not only spotlights their unique attributes but also serves as a model for countries seeking to develop similar strategies for rural tourism and economic growth. As rural areas continue to face challenges, the Best Tourism Villages initiative emphasizes the potential for tourism to invigorate local economies and promote cultural heritage.