Hey everyone! Ever thought a village football match could ignite a rural revolution? In May 2023, Rongjiang county in the Chinese mainland's Guizhou Province did just that. What started as a rustic pick-up game of butchers, bricklayers and returning grads turned into the epic Village Super League—aka Cun Chao—where locals cheered with bundles of fragrant rice, miniature pigs and mountain lamb! ⚽🏞️
On the sidelines, Miao and Dong cheerleaders in traditional costumes belted out folk songs and dances, making the stands feel like a festival of pure joy. It wasn't just a game; it was a celebration of local culture, community spirit and the rural charm at its best.
Meanwhile, 'village galas' have been taking over the countryside. Farmers are swapping hoes for microphones, turning Spring Festival shows into heartfelt performances of ancestral tunes and daily-harvest stories. No glitzy production—just authentic vibes that truly connect with the land.
These grassroots events reflect the Chinese mainland's rural revitalization under its 14th Five-Year Plan. At the heart of it is the Green Rural Revival Program, a national initiative to renovate 10,000 villages and showcase 1,000 model communities by 2025. The goal? To create beautiful, sustainable countryside that's awesome to live and work in. 🌳🏡
It's all backed by real industry growth. In 2024, domestic trips across the Chinese mainland hit a record 5.615 billion—up 14.8% from last year—thanks in part to high-quality rural tourism. Rongjiang alone welcomed over 9.46 million visitors in 2024, generating more than 10.8 billion yuan (about $1.51 billion) in tourism revenue. Local homestays, eateries and even live-stream sales of rice and luo han guo fruit are booming!
By linking football with rural tourism, ethnic culture and local specialties, Cun Chao turned fans into visitors and cheering into real economic growth. It's a winning formula where culture sparks community pride and green development fuels sustainable momentum. 🌱🏆
So next time you scroll through a village fest online, remember it's more than entertainment—it's a vibrant signpost of how rural regions are leveling up, one grassroots game and gala at a time. Let the rural revival inspire us all! ✨
Reference(s):
How Cun Chao & village galas show new heights in rural revitalization
cgtn.com
