Chanzhi, a village in Laixi, Qingdao, Shandong province is abuzz with tourists despite the cold winter. [Photo/Shandong News]

Chanzhi, a village in Laixi, Qingdao, Shandong province is abuzz with tourists despite the cold winter.

The village, which has a history of more than 650 years, is home to many ancient buildings dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) and a dazzling array of historical and cultural attractions. Chanzhi has developed rural tourism around its unique local folk culture and natural resources, improving the lives of local villagers.

A restaurant run by local villager Xu Zhenbo in Chanzhi, Laixi, Qingdao, is popular among tourists both near and far. [Photo/Shandong News]

At the Yushuizhixiang Farmhouse, located west of the Chanzhi Village Museum, Xu Zhenbo and his wife Zhou Lingling are busy preparing ingredients for a fish-themed buffet booked by a regular customer. The old brick and stone houses in the courtyard are simple yet exquisite, and plump fish swim in the pond outside the courtyard.

Xu, who has transformed his home into a restaurant and a hostel for a bed and breakfast business, has been involved in catering for more than 20 years. After leaving home to work in other cities for many years, Xu returned to his home village in 2020 after seeing that the natural and living environments of the village are improving day by day.

Chanzhi, a village in Laixi, Qingdao, Shandong province is abuzz with tourists despite the cold winter. [Photo/Shandong News]

Xu's business has since flourished, his restaurant attracting regular customers from near and far. Xu's neighbor Ding Wenping has also taken the opportunity to produce take-away foods for tourists.

On weekends and holidays, Chanzhi, which has been awarded honorary titles such as "Beautiful and Livable Village in Shandong Province", is always filled with visitors.

Many of them come to Laixi to enjoy the natural beauty and fresh delicacies prepared by villagers such as Xu.