"The construction will begin mid-month, and we expect to open by March next year," said Fan Qiwang, leader of the Senyu Tribe project team, on December 7. The team is preparing for construction after settling in Cangnan’s "Youth & Village Chronicles" Agricultural Innovation Park. Fan noted that the model—"living in the county town, working in the park, and starting businesses in rural areas"—significantly reduces initial entrepreneurial costs, making rural ventures more promising.
The Senyu Tribe project, incubated through the Fifth National College Student Rural Revitalization Competition, repurposes abandoned stone houses in Zaoxi Town. By transforming unused wooden beams and old fishing boats into art installations and functional facilities, it aims to create a youth cultural hub and a new landmark for rural tourism.
After graduating, Fan focused on "design-driven rural tourism," previously operating a successful village café project in Anji. This year, the team evaluated over ten potential sites before choosing Cangnan, attracted by its natural scenery and local support. The park offers free office space and affordable youth apartments (30 yuan per night), easing early-stage financial burdens. "It’s just a three-minute walk from housing to workspaces," Fan added. Regular project exchange sessions further streamline construction coordination.
Rural revitalization hinges on youth engagement. Located in Cangnan’s CBD core—just 10 minutes from the high-speed rail station and expressway—the 15,000-square-meter park integrates agri-entrepreneur headquarters, live-streaming centers, innovation markets, digital nomad communities, and talent apartments. It serves as a "first stop" for youth transitioning between urban and rural areas, fostering a three-tier development system linking county, town, and village.
Beyond financial aid like guaranteed startup loans, free workspaces, and transport subsidies, the park provides shared meeting rooms, training centers, and cafeterias to lower barriers for rural entrepreneurship. Art installations and regular events—parties, policy talks, coffee salons, and themed markets—cultivate a vibrant community. Since opening in September, it has attracted 37 agri-startups, over 220 young professionals, and 3,500 participants in rural initiatives, according to Li Yanyan, the park’s operations manager.
The park’s product selection center showcases 1,000+ local specialties, boosting sales. For example, Lin Qingyan’s family farm in Masan Town saw a 20% increase in pomelo sales after packaging upgrades and e-commerce expansion. Other innovations include handmade seaweed pancakes, revived Qiaodun mooncakes, and artisanal bread workshops blending production, experience, and aesthetics—all driven by youth creativity.
"From housing to incubation, resource matching to market access, we offer one-stop solutions to incentivize youth," said Chen Zongzao, Director of Cangnan’s Agriculture Bureau. Competitions and hands-on activities help youth connect with rural projects, while the park’s community model counters initial isolation, enabling rapid talent clustering and "soft roots."
To sustain this ecosystem, Cangnan repurposes idle rural assets, pairs youth with university mentors and tech specialists, and supports niche industries like tourism and homestays. Twelve rural incubation projects are already underway, ensuring talent retention and growth.
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