From October 17–18, the UN World Tourism Organization’s 3rd "Best Tourism Villages" Conference and 5th Awards Ceremony were held in Anji, Zhejiang. About 270 people attended, including representatives from the UNWTO, tourism authorities from 41 countries, and delegates from award-winning villages.

As one of the first villages designated by the UNWTO as a "Best Tourism Village," Xidi Village in Yixian County was invited to participate. Representatives from Xidi joined delegates from around the world to engage in in-depth dialogue on topics such as sustainable rural tourism development, protection of cultural heritage, and rural revitalization.

Using this international conference as an exchange platform, Xidi showcased its innovative practices and development achievements since being named a "World’s Best Tourism Village." Xidi’s innovative "village partnership" model was included in the Best Tourism Villages Network’s 2025 activities and outcomes report. The head of the UNWTO’s Rural Tourism Development Department cited it as a model for rural tourism development and encouraged all members to learn from it, establishing interconnected, mutually learning friendly village relationships to promote shared growth and development.

At a special masterclass, Xidi representatives communicated with the CEO of the UnTours Foundation to discuss the application of tourism development funds and projects in rural tourism development. During the conference, Xidi presented the UNWTO with its intangible cultural heritage fish lantern and showcased, via video, folk experiences such as the bench-dragon tradition and the corn dragon activities and scenes. Through these cultural displays, Xidi not only spread its own traditional culture but also enhanced international understanding and interest in Huizhou culture. Xidi also sent invitations to foreign friends interested in taking part in the "2025 Zhejiang–Anhui–Fujian–Jiangxi National Ecotourism Cooperation Zone Promotion Event," to be held in mid-November in Yixian County, further promoting cooperation and exchanges with international friendly villages and increasing its influence in the international tourism market.

As an important carrier of Huizhou culture, Xidi has always embraced the mission of "protecting cultural heritage and revitalizing historical memory." Its exquisitely carved couplet plaques, and the simple elegance of the "three carvings" (wood, brick, and stone carving), together with intangible cultural heritage such as Huiju opera, Huimo ink-making, and Huizhou cuisine, continue to be passed down here. These elements both preserve the roots of Huizhou culture and give it renewed vitality for the modern era. The designation "World Heritage — Millennium Xidi" reflects the UNWTO’s comprehensive recognition of Xidi across nine dimensions including cultural protection, ecological governance, and community participation, and highlights the innovative integration of Huizhou culture with rural revitalization.

From being listed as a World Cultural Heritage site to taking the stage at the UNWTO, Xidi Village is showcasing to the world, through a development model of "living conservation, cultural-tourism integration, and shared benefits for hosts and visitors," a practical example of protecting ancient Chinese villages and pursuing sustainable development. It offers an instructive "China solution" for cultural inheritance, tourism development, and rural revitalization worldwide. Looking ahead, Xidi will continue to deepen international cooperation so that Huizhou culture goes global and the thousand-year village remains forever youthful.

Source: Huangshan Daily