In recent years, Wanglinpo Village in Qiujiadian Town, Taishan District, has established itself as a model for "art-empowered rural revitalization." Focusing on five key elements—people, land, production, scenery, and culture—the village has reimagined its rural landscape through an artistic lens, using aesthetic thinking to activate dormant resources. This approach has paved a new path for rural development, blending artistic expression with cultural enrichment and tourism-driven growth.
By leveraging art, Wanglinpo has revitalized the value of its land. The village pioneered an "art-infused homestead" strategy, repurposing idle residential land as a physical foundation for artistic renewal. Through cooperation, equity partnerships, and leasing arrangements, over 30 unused homesteads were efficiently integrated within just 20 days. Adhering to the aesthetic principle of "repairing the old as old, creating scenic spots at every step," the village implemented subtle renovations and precise enhancements. Weathered earthen walls and courtyards paved with bluestone were preserved in their original forms while incorporating modern design elements, transforming each old house into an art space that can be read and experienced.
The village also emphasized the artistic impact of wall paintings, collaborating with teachers and students from Taishan University of Science and Technology to create themed murals. Centered around attractions such as taverns, pet-friendly parks, fortune gates, and the Quanxiang Bookhouse, these artworks inject aesthetic appeal into the rural fabric, allowing old walls to "speak" and alleys to "tell stories." This synergy between artistic intervention and spatial activation has brought new life to public spaces.
Art has also awakened the potential of local production. In old tea houses, residents and visitors brew tea, chat, and enjoy the warmth of daily life. At steamed bun workshops, the rich aroma of wheat fills the air amid rising steam. In intangible cultural heritage studios, visitors witness clay transforming into pottery, touching the craftsmanship and warmth of traditional techniques. These authentic rural experiences have become signature features that attract visitors to Wanglinpo.
The village developed the nearly one-hectare Taishan Chuoyan Lane Folk Life Experience Zone, turning intangible nostalgia into tangible living aesthetics. It revived 21 traditional businesses, including old-fashioned steamed buns, handmade bean starch noodles, and wood-fired pancakes, allowing time-honored skills to gain new expression through art. The introduction of intangible heritage experiences—such as Taishan incense making, Ruishan tea art, gourd painting, and Hanfu hairpin crafts—has turned once-idle resources into dynamic showcases of local culture. This approach promotes integrated development of agriculture, culture, and tourism, driving secondary and primary industries through tertiary sector growth.
Through an artistic perspective, Wanglinpo has re-envisioned its natural scenery, integrating ecological restoration with aesthetic enhancement along water systems and cultural themes. The village invested 4 million yuan to artistically renovate a three-hectare oxidation pond, transforming a former waste ditch into "Qingquan Bay" through dredging, ecological bank restoration, and landscaping. Wang Hongjun, Party secretary of Wanglinpo, expressed pride in the environmental improvements.
Tapping into Ming and Qing dynasty imperial road culture and local spring heritage, the village created the one-kilometer "Wenshui Gallery," connecting musical fountains and historical pathways. In 2024, further infrastructure investments increased green coverage to 97%, adding parking lots and a visitor center. This created a multi-dimensional aesthetic space where visitors enjoy water scenes by day and light displays by night. To address the issue of daytime crowds and quiet evenings, the village applied artistic thinking to night-time economy development, implementing street lighting upgrades that outline the ancient village with artistic illumination, making Wanglinpo glow after dark.
Cultural depth and human connection lie at the heart of Wanglinpo's efforts. By blending cultural excavation with event planning, the village has turned nostalgic memories into participatory experiences. Traditional festivals have been reimagined with modern appeal—such as Summer Solstice colorful cold noodles and the Qiju Quanxiang Qixi Festival—combining farming celebrations with contemporary aesthetics. During the Lantern Festival, luminous displays, riddle guessing, lion dances, and yangge performances attracted over 20,000 visitors per event, adding both ritual significance and public engagement.
The village also established regular art brands to brighten the night. Events like the "Wanglinpo Night" lawn music festival, bonfire parties, and firework shows have become staples, with a single bonfire gathering drawing more than 2,000 visitors. The glowing fires and smiling faces have made the village a popular evening destination in the Taishan area.
Art has further ignited the vitality of local talent. More than 20 individuals—including Fan Gang, an ancient architecture collector from Wenshang; Lou Wei, inheritor of the Taishan incense craft; Han Datong, a professor at Taishan University; and Ren Zucheng, secretary-general of Fenggao Academy—have chosen to live and start businesses in the village. Magician Hou Bo was drawn by the rural atmosphere and became a "village partner," creating the comic rap "Fun Talk About Wanglinpo," which has become a highlight of nighttime performances.
Wanglinpo has pioneered a "villager + artist" co-creation mechanism, nurturing local art teams. Through the "Wangshan Panshui" Culture and Art Alliance, the village identified and trained local cultural骨干, forming five community art groups, including square dance and yangge teams. Regular skill trainings and exchange performances have turned villagers from spectators into performers. Elderly residents like Liu Guixiang not only found jobs close to home but also performed fan dances on the village stage, achieving both material and spiritual fulfillment.
From "selling scenery" to "selling lifestyle," and from an "internet-famous village" to one with lasting appeal, Wanglinpo's dynamic practice demonstrates the boundless potential of art in empowering rural revitalization. Today, clear springs still flow in Wanglinpo, where ancient charm meets modern vitality, unfolding a vibrant picture of beauty, harmony, prosperity, and shared wealth.
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