"This year's no exception."

Wang is counting on more scholars visiting Beigou to hold seminars while enjoying the natural charm as Huairou district is developing a science cluster.

With the pandemic is under control across the nation, visitor numbers to Beigou are rising again.

Construction on new facility is under way, and Wang says he is looking forward to more travelers to the village.

For Song, she is quite content with her life at the moment.

The retreat job offered her more than 7,000 yuan a month, compared with 600 yuan before.

"Every day is busy, but happy and fulfilling," she says.

The retreat is just ten minutes walk away from her home and allows her to take care of things at home, especially to harvest chestnuts in autumn and winter.

"I can get up early at 5 am to harvest chestnuts in September, trim leaves in winter, and finish everything before work (at the retreat)," she says.

Booming tourism in the village has also given her chestnut plantation a shot in the arm.

Demand is on the rise as tourists and the government have placed orders.

"We only had a dozen of chestnut trees before, and grow more than 100 now," she says.

yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn