Further developing the rural tourism industry is crucial in promoting rural revitalization in Tianjin. Over the years, Jizhou district has continuously improved its infrastructure and optimized its public services to further develop the local tourism industry. At present, 15 villages and towns in the rural area have developed their own tourism resources.

The Wild Vegetable Culture Festival in Maojiayu village on Apr 29, 2022 [Photo/WeChat account: zhangshangjizhou]

Maojiayu village, located in Chuanfangyu town, Jizhou district, started to develop its tourism industry 21 years ago and was listed in the first batch of key national rural tourism villages. In addition to the beautiful scenery of the village, the annual Wild Vegetable Culture Festival has become a magnet for tourists.

Since 2018, Maojiayu village has hosted this event in April. Once cooked by professional chefs, the wild vegetable is turned into healthy delicacies for visitors.

"Many people come here for our flavorsome wild vegetable, which has already become the brand of our business," said Chang Ying, a local resident and owner of a local bed-and-breakfast business.

This year, Maojiayu village has reached a cooperation agreement with the Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine to invite experts to the Wild Vegetable Culture Festival, in order to provide guidance to local chefs on how to retain the medicinal value of the ingredients while cooking. Meanwhile, a total 1,600 mu of vacant fields in the village have been arranged to become a plant base of traditional Chinese medicine.

Other villages in Jizhou district have also taken advantage of the integration of agriculture and tourism, carrying out such tourism projects as vegetable and fruit picking, fishing and farming, to develop local tourism.

The owner of a bed-and-breakfast business prepares the room for visitors in Zhaojiayu village, Luozhuangzi town [Photo/WeChat account: zhangshangjizhou]

This year, Jizhou will continue to upgrade its rural tourism industry and implement a series of management regulations to further integrate its culture, agriculture, health and tourism industries.