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VILLAGES | 村寨

Yiliang holds a secret: A succulent garden awaits

宜良有座“多肉花园”

By Wang Yiwen and Xiong Ming □ 王怡文 熊明 / 文

On the outskirts of Yiliang County in Kunming City, “Zhang Yi Garden” was
created by former migrant worker Zhang Yi after he returned home to start
his own business. Blending tens of thousands of succulent plants with rustic
local architecture, the garden forms a distinctive pastoral landscape. Beyond
offering succulent viewing, travel photography, and planting experiences, it
also explores local cuisine and cultural elements. Through the creation of “im-
mersive dining” and diverse cultural tourism activities, it has become a leading
example of how Yiliang is revitalizing rural resources by building on its floral
heritage.

在昆明市宜良县城郊，由返乡创业者张宜打造的“张宜花园”，将上万株多肉植
物与古朴建筑融合，形成了独特的田园景观。园区不仅提供多肉观赏、旅拍服务与种
植体验，还深入本地挖掘风味美食与文化元素，打造出“沉浸式用餐”与多元文旅活
动，成为宜良以花为媒、盘活乡村资源的典型实践。

Driving into Zhang Yi Garden, the rustic unique Yiliang flavor,” she said. To achieve
architecture harmonizes with the lush green- this, she has traveled tirelessly along Yil-
ery. Upon entering, visitors are immediately iang’s rural roads. In the early mornings,
captivated by a sea of succulents. Across she negotiates supply standards with vege-
the 10,000-square-meter estate, a myriad table farmers; in the afternoons, she visits
of succulent species in various shapes and inheritors of intangible cultural heritage; by
forms dot the landscape, spreading into a evening, she is in the fields discussing costs
romantic and enchanting scene. Comple- with flower growers; and late into the night,
mented by the antique architecture, they she seeks out retired masters of dance and experiences, from song and dance perfor- sets, and turning rural courtyards into inter-
create a picturesque pastoral tableau that music. Through these efforts, she has united mances to bonfire celebrations. net-famous gardens.
feels naturally blended. once-scattered growers, farmers, and artists The garden’s warmth extends to its com- Currently, Zhang Yi Garden has attracted
“Our goal is to combine Yiliang’s pasto- into a collaborative force driving local de- mitment to the local community and care companies such as Hangzhou Zhijue Hor-
ral scenery with its unique culture, allowing velopment. for special groups. A couple in their sixties, ticulture Co., Ltd. to establish operations
visitors to enjoy the view, immerse them- To create a truly “immersive dining” ex- for example, can begin working within in Yiliang. Through a “production base +
selves in experiences, and leave with lasting perience, Zhang Yi and her family sampled three minutes of arriving each day, earning livestreaming” model, the area now pro-
memories,” explained Hu Chunmei, the dishes from more than 70 local restaurants, a combined monthly income of over 8,000 duces over 50 million succulents annually.
manager of Zhang Yi Garden. The garden carefully refining nearly twenty regional yuan—and, more importantly, rediscov- To further raise the garden’s profile, Yiliang
has meticulously designed succulent view- specialties. Succulents are planted directly ering a sense of purpose. The garden also County has organized a group of online
ing areas and photo spots, providing profes- into serving plates, steel frames are draped reserves positions for people with disabili- influencers to carry out focused, interactive
sional travel photography services for visi- with winding vines and crowned with glass ties and has employed more than 120 local digital promotions, blending succulent land-
tors. For those interested in learning about domes, and even the curve of the dining residents in total. By training local teachers, scaping techniques with local specialties
succulent planting techniques, dedicated chairs went through five rounds of adjust- returning youth, and retired artists into ver- like Yiliang roast duck and sour-braised pig
staff offer expert guidance, allowing visitors ments, all to envelop guests in a “green satile cultural tourism professionals, it helps trotters, effectively marrying “ecological
to enjoy the beauty while experiencing the wonderland.” Today, the tens of thousands each person, much like the succulents that aesthetics” with “culinary economy.” To
joy of cultivating succulents. of succulents in Zhang Yi Garden are more fill the space, “grow toward the light.” date this year, Zhang Yi Garden has wel-
Zhang Yi, founder of Zhang Yi Garden, than scenery; they are, in Zhang Yi’s words, The success of Zhang Yi Garden is a comed around one million visitors, created
was once a migrant worker who later re- “soulful staff,” drawing visitors for photos vivid example of how Yiliang County is stable employment for more than 100 local
turned to her hometown to start her own and inspiring new culinary ideas. Here, promoting entrepreneurship around floral residents, and stimulated over 100 million
business. “We want to blend the beauty of guests can taste the tangy freshness of sour and plant themes, encouraging young talent yuan in consumption across the catering,
our hometown with its cuisine to create the soup hotpot and enjoy a rich variety of to return home, revitalizing idle rural as- scenic tourism, and accommodation sectors.