A vision takes root
In June 2018, Yang became the first volunteer to reside in Azheke, helping locals implement the plan.
Initially, the villagers were skeptical of this outsider. Even after the village collective company was established, only a few households chose to participate.
But Yang didn't give up. He fully immersed himself in village life, working alongside residents and engaging in their daily routines. "They probably thought I wouldn't last a month," he laughed. To their surprise, Yang was still there eight months later.
In March 2019, the company distributed its first tourism dividends. Seeing tangible financial benefits, the villagers began to recognize Yang's sincerity and dedication. More residents were encouraged to join the effort, further boosting local tourism and cultural preservation.
Yang also revived traditional skills and practices that the villagers had previously taken for granted, turning them into tourism experiences such as fruit-picking, fishing, weaving, and hosting Hani family banquets. Villagers led these activities and shared in the profits, creating a sustainable and vibrant local economy.
"These activities don't require advanced skills, making them accessible for villagers to take on flexible, part-time work," Yang explained.
These initiatives have also created new income sources and attracted villagers working elsewhere to return home during peak tourist seasons.
As tourism flourished, Yang noticed a shift in the villagers' mindset. "Traditional houses were better preserved, and long-forgotten or simplified folk customs were revived," he said. "Villagers began to take greater pride in their Hani heritage."
So far, the company has held 10 dividend distribution ceremonies. Since the first payout in March 2019, all 65 households in the village have collectively received over 2.33 million yuan in dividends, with each household earning an average of more than 35,885 yuan.
