Homestay business

In addition to artists who carry drawing boards and folding chairs, ordinary travelers also flock to Shibanyan over summer vacations, says Dai Gangming, who runs a countryside resort, named Trip.com Group Country Retreat in Shibanyan, which is a joint effort between local authorities and major domestic travel agency Trip.com Group.

"We've been fully booked during weekends, and we believe the number of clients will increase significantly this year," Dai says.

He started to receive customer inquiries about the resort's reopening in May, following a COVID-19 resurgence in the province in March. The resort had halted business in accordance with pandemic-control policies in the country.

"Some of our patrons were persistent and frequently asked when we would open again," Dai says. "It also gave me confidence about the local economic recovery."

The brisk bookings in late May are proof of the potential of the resort he runs, Dai adds.