Amazing Village | Unlock a Variety of New Ways to Play in This Village!

Remember nostalgia, retain feelings, practice the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party, and see new changes in the countryside. Recently, Shiyan Smart Cultural Tourism launched the "A-level Scenic Area Village Revitalization Demonstration Village" series of articles, exploring the beautiful scenery, delicious food, and charming accommodations of Shiyan’s villages, taking you into beautiful villages like scenic spots, experiencing the countryside with more ways to have fun, and quietly enjoying a slow pastoral life. In this issue, our editor takes you to visit Yingzi Village, under the management of the Hubei Saiwudang National Nature Reserve Administration. Follow our steps and let’s go together~

Green hills like brows across the distant east of the village,

Tender willows and long streams with catkin breeze.

The poetic spring scenery is perfectly realized in Yingzi Village.

Under the spring breeze of rural revitalization,

A vivid picture of beautiful scenery and harmonious people

Is slowly unfolding in Yingzi Village, Maojian District.

Located in Yingzi Village under the Saiwudang Nature Reserve Administration in Maojian District, it lies in the southern mountain area of Maojian. The entire village is surrounded by rivers and mountain streams, full of greenery and blooming flowers all year round. The people living here are leading a fairy-like life halfway up the mountain and by the water.

Yingzi Village backs onto Fulong Mountain, adjacent to Taohua Lake, with the Yingzi River running through the village. Mountains and rivers depend on each other, creating a clear and lively scene.

With such ecological beauty, why not gather a few cycling friends and ride with the wind? Or set up camp at the Yingzi Village camping base to experience the romantic village scenery under the night sky.

Though small, Yingzi Village boasts rich tourism resources, with ecological beauty everywhere and a profound cultural heritage. Golden Toad Valley, Righteous Army Stockade, Tai Shan Temple... each cultural landmark has a touching story behind it.

Among them, the legend of the Righteous Army Stockade is the most widely spread. The legendary stockade is located next to the green tea garden, a fortress surrounded by stone walls. Viewed from above, the Righteous Army Stockade is square-shaped, with an exit at the front and back. The wall closest to the road is the best preserved, stretching up to 500 meters.

It is said that during the Chongzhen period of the Ming Dynasty, Li Zicheng's rebel army passed through here. As it was getting dark, they set up camp. To avoid disturbing the local people and to prevent bandit raids, all officers and soldiers piled stones to build courtyards on the riverbank and camped on the spot, constructing this stockade overnight. From then on, the village was renamed Yingzi Village, and Li Zicheng's army was praised as the "Righteous Army." Thus, the stockade got its name.

After the turbulent times of war, the former military camp has gradually turned into today's pastoral paradise.

A beautiful village must also be prosperous. In recent years, Yingzi Village has adopted industry cooperatives and village regulations to integrate resource elements and develop distinctive industries. The once underdeveloped Yingzi Village is now thriving.

Yingzi Village has a long history of making yellow rice wine. Every household here makes koji, soaks rice, and brews wine by hand. Visitors can not only learn about the characteristics of local yellow rice wine but also experience on-site wine-making and trendy activities like "bowl-smashing wine."

In addition, Yingzi Village develops distinctive industries according to local conditions. Picking gardens, farmhouse restaurants, and homestays can both attract tourists and keep them staying.

Here, you can experience spring tea picking, blueberry picking, taste farmhouse garden cuisine, and stay overnight in characteristic homestays to enjoy a pastoral life away from the hustle and bustle. A variety of new ways to play are waiting for you to unlock~

From weak infrastructure and lagging economic development

To an ecologically livable and prosperous industry,

The development journey of Yingzi Village

Is a microcosm of countless villages in China

Overcoming difficulties and seeking development,

Phoenix-like rebirth and reincarnation.

The moon and sixpence don’t have to be a choice,

Green waters and lush mountains with deep nostalgia

Don’t necessarily have to be a dilemma either.

......

Images provided by the village. This article is a public-interest travel promotion. If infringement occurs, please delete. Thank you~

Editor: Xiao Feixian | Preliminary review: He Lei | Final review: Zhang Wenjing, Wang Yan