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Anji, Zhejiang: A village paragon

浙江安吉：理想乡村的模样

What does an ideal village look like? economy” have emerged in Anji, allowing
Anji’s development seems to provide an more young people to find their preferred
answer: an ideal village features not only ways of life.
mountains, rivers, and forests, along with The achievement of large-scale inno-
ancient houses and traditional customs, but vation and entrepreneurship in rural areas
also vibrant communities, beautiful spaces, is closely linked to the rural revitalization
a lively local culture, and romantic ele- efforts in Anji County. After retiring in
ments that, while distinct from city life, are 2019, Ren Qiangjun dedicated himself to
equally enchanting. researching and promoting the “Anji Expe-
In 2001, Chinese director Ang Lee’s rience.” Since 2010, Anji has been piloting
film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon won a “multi-village co-creation” model that
an Oscar, featuring a memorable scene in connects relatively scattered villages into
which the lead actors dance with swords a cohesive community. This initiative goes
over a bamboo sea, filmed in Zhangcun beyond enhancing surface landscapes,
Town, Anji County, Huzhou City, Zhejiang such as roads, water systems, lighting,
Province. Anji, recognized as “China’s No. and greenery; it also focuses on building
1 Bamboo Town,” captured the world’s at- facilities like cultural halls, museums, and
tention. kindergartens tailored to the unique charac-
In 2005, Anji began a bold initiative for teristics of each village.
rural transformation, guided by the belief “With these supporting facilities in
that “lucid waters and lush mountains are place, attracting investment becomes sig-
invaluable assets.” By 2017, Bimen Village nificantly easier. Developing new business
had established both an “E-commerce As- models involves not only integrating local
sociation” and a “Youth E-commerce En- resources but also bringing in talented
trepreneurship Base,” attracting major plat- individuals from outside,” Ren said. “The
forms such as Taobao, Tmall, and JD.com. biggest challenge in rural entrepreneurship
This initiative provided numerous young is securing people. As long as there are in-
people the opportunity to return home and dividuals willing to come and stay, half the
start their own businesses, transforming the battle is already won.”
village into a model for livable and worka- What constitutes an ideal village?
ble rural areas. Anji's development offers a compelling
With a solid economic foundation, vision: an ideal village harmoniously
improving living standards became a nat- blends natural beauty—such as moun-
ural outcome. In recent years, the living tains, rivers, and forests—with rich cultural
conditions of local residents in Anji have heritage, featuring ancient houses and
improved, and the area has attracted more traditional customs. This idyllic setting is
and more visitors from outside, with some further enhanced by vibrant communities,
even choosing to settle down and start busi- aesthetically pleasing landscapes, lively
nesses there. With the development of the local culture, and charming aspects that,
cultural and tourism industry, new business while different from urban living, possess
models like the “tent economy” and “coffee their own unique allure.