Asia Pacific Daily News - Focus on Asia-Pacific Development, Daily News Express, Scholar Creation Center

Aerial photo taken on Aug. 20, 2020 shows a view of Sanhe Village in Songxian County, central China's Henan Province. (Xinhua/Li An)

Stylish residences, impressive paintings on walls and modern homestays and hotels are in sight when tourists walk around in Sanhe Village. It is difficult for them to imagine that this village, located in mountainous area, was once deeply impoverished.

ZHENGZHOU, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- In 2016, as a native, Feng Yake went back to his hometown for entrepreneurship. Learning art for years, he is fully aware of the value and potential of the village. "As an art major, I taught students painting. Art students need a good place to practice and sketch, and the views here make Sanhe a superb training base for art students."

Feng started a four-floor hotel for art students, and his "art business" has been in full bloom. His experience motivated other villagers. With the support from local government, villagers improved infrastructure and renovated their houses through resettlement. A total of 25 new homestays and hotels have been built, and over 70 art studios were attracted to cooperate with Sanhe.

Now, Sanhe has been a tourist complex for art students featuring painting and sketching, studying and training, with an annual income about 4 million yuan (578,000 U.S. dollars). In 2018, villagers of Sanhe Village all got rid of poverty.

A visitor walks past a painted wall in Sanhe Village of Songxian County, central China's Henan Province, Aug. 20, 2020. (Xinhua/Li An)

Buses are seen in Sanhe Village of Songxian County, central China's Henan Province, Aug. 19, 2020. (Xinhua/Li An)

People walk past a wall with paintings in Sanhe Village of Songxian County, central China's Henan Province, Aug. 20, 2020. (Xinhua/Li An)

Feng Yake (1st L) welcomes students in Sanhe Village of Songxian County, central China's Henan Province, Aug. 19, 2020. (Xinhua/Li An)

Feng Yake serves food for students in Sanhe Village of Songxian County, central China's Henan Province, Aug. 19, 2020. (Xinhua/Li An)

Feng Yake (R) helps a kid with her luggage in Sanhe Village of Songxian County, central China's Henan Province, Aug. 19, 2020. (Xinhua/Li An)

Feng Yake (R) instructs students in sketching in Sanhe Village of Songxian County, central China's Henan Province, Aug. 19, 2020. (Xinhua/Li An)

Students sketch in Sanhe Village of Songxian County, central China's Henan Province, Aug. 19, 2020. (Xinhua/Li An)

Feng Yake (2nd L) and a kid wearing painted mask take a selfie in Sanhe Village of Songxian County, central China's Henan Province, Aug. 20, 2020. (Xinhua/Li An)

Students wearing their painted masks pose for a photo in Sanhe Village in Songxian County, central China's Henan Province, Aug. 20, 2020. (Xinhua/Li An)