Seven villages in China were recognized among the Best Tourism Villages 2024 by the United Nations World Tourism Organization at its 122nd session of the Executive Council on Friday in Cartagena, Colombia.

Selected for their blend of cultural preservation and sustainable tourism, the villages are: Azheke in Yunnan province, Guanyang in Fujian province, Shibadong in Hunan province, Taoping in Sichuan province, Xiaogang in Anhui province, Xitou in Zhejiang province, and Yandunjiao in Shandong province. 

The seven villages represent a cross-section of China's vast rural terrain and its deep cultural reservoir, stretching from the highlands and the plains of central China, to the coastal islands of the east. They encompass different communities including the Hakka, Miao and Hani people, each presenting a distinct perspective of China's multifaceted identity.

Launched in 2021, the UNWTO's Best Tourism Villages program honors destinations using tourism as a vehicle to preserve landscapes, cultural practices, ecological and culinary diversity. With this year's additions, China now has 15 villages on the list, reflecting the country's commitment to preserving rural heritage amid modernization.

Rural tourism has emerged as a pivotal economic driver in the nation, as destinations welcomed 2.25 billion visitors in the initial three quarters of this year, yielding 1.32 trillion yuan ($182.85 billion) in revenue — an approximate 10 percent rise compared to the previous year, as reported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.