Sunset scenery on Xibu Street-Song Weihong
New look of Wulingyuan urban village renovation
(Liao Shengtian and Deng Daoli) "People live together in Wulingyuan, and the countryside is built outside the things." Wang Wei, a poet of the Tang Dynasty, described the paradise he longed for in his Yuefu poem "A Journey to Peach Blossoms". Wulingyuan, under three thousand peaks and next to eight hundred beautiful waters, has been successfully transformed into an "urban village" and has become a "new paradise" that satisfies the masses, gathers businessmen, and praises tourists.
Investment businessman Tang Huiguo - "Providing a larger stage for entrepreneurship"
Investor Tang Huiguo's entrepreneurial stage
Eight years ago, Tang Huiguo, a young man from Jiangya Town, Cili County, came to Wulingyuan to work hard. With his good cooking skills, he has been running "Old Tang Sanxiao Guo" at Baofeng Lake Qiaotou. Over the past eight years, with its unique flavor, first-class service and superior location, "Lao Tang Sanxia Guo" has become a well-known local "civilian" catering brand.
"Invest 15 million yuan to build the largest and most beautiful catering center in Wulingyuan, where you can not only enjoy delicious food but also enjoy the beautiful scenery." Standing on the bank of Suoxi River, Tang Huiguo boldly planned for the future. The first phase of the Shengshi Wuling Food Building, which was renovated and expanded from the "Old Tang Sanxiao Guo", has been completed and can accommodate 850 people for dining at the same time. Dozens of high-end inns are being renovated.
In Tang Huiguo's view, the transformation of "urban villages" provides a larger entrepreneurial stage with unlimited business opportunities. He and his relative Mao Shengyong invested together and signed 15-year renovation and operation contracts with four residents in Baofeng Lake Qiaotou. They invested in the renovation and decoration, operated independently during the contract period, and paid rent of 400,000 yuan per year to the four landlords. The house will belong to the landlord after 15 years.
Landlord Wu Yangbing is a typical poor household in Wujiayu community. His house is in disrepair and is about to collapse. He said, "Not only does he not have to spend money to renovate his house, but he can also receive 100,000 yuan in rent every year while sitting at home."
Tang Huiguo said that this "rent instead of investment" model not only solves the financial difficulties in renovating "villages in the city", but also improves the quality of tourism. Currently, there are more than 10 companies like him that have invested tens of millions.
Entrepreneurial resident Wu Xiaochu - "Income from the inn has doubled"
Entrepreneurial resident Wu Xiaochu's inn upgrade
Wu Xiaochu, a native of Wujiayu Community in Wulingyuan, previously used a house on Tianzi Road to run an ordinary family hotel with 30 rooms at a price of about 60 yuan per room. Because the quality could not keep up, the occupancy rate was not high and the income was average.
"We have long planned to renovate and upgrade the hotel, but tourists are reluctant to come because the surrounding environment is dirty and messy." Wu Xiaochu said that the surrounding environment is poor, and even if the hotel is renovated and upgraded, it will be in vain if guests can't come in.
The "urban village" transformation has been launched. The streets are spacious and clean, and the unified Tujia residential style is refreshing. So Wu Xiaochu raised 10 million yuan from various sources, not only upgraded the quality of his own hotel, but also rented a nearby house and transformed it into a special inn - "Wulingju Inn".
Walking into the "Wulingju Inn", you will find exquisite elegance, antique flavor, and strong Tujia architectural style, becoming a "harbor" for Chinese and foreign tourists to relax and vacation. Wu Xiaochu said that there are now more than 60 rooms, all booked online, priced at more than 300 yuan a room, and they are fully booked every day during the summer vacation. "Income has doubled, and the cost can be recovered within three years."
Wu Xiaochu said that in urban areas, there are many original residents like him who used to run family hotels, but now they are renovated and upgraded in accordance with the plan. "The common people get real benefits and are the biggest beneficiaries of the transformation of urban villages." Wu Xiaochu said with a smile.
Foreign tourist Li Xiaotong - "Add new charm to the city of mountains and rivers"
A city of mountains and water through visitors' eyes
This summer, after two years, Li Xiaotong, a tourist from Guangzhou, visited Zhangjiajie again with her friends and stayed at the Pangu Inn on Xibu Street in Wulingyuan City.
At night, Li Xiaotong was strolling on Xibu Street, strolling up to the bridge of Baofeng Lake, and suddenly saw a bright light before his eyes. "Is this Wulingyuan three years ago?" In Li Xiaotong's memory, the last time he walked here he didn't want to leave again. The dilapidated "urban village" was incompatible with the adjacent Xibu Street. But now, they are in harmony with each other, and the wall in the middle has been demolished.
Strolling through Tianzi Street and Wuling Road, you will see thousands of lights. The neat Tujia-style buildings on both sides are fresh and unique, with small blue tiles, sloping roofs, overhanging eaves, corner buildings, light gray walls, and shops, which are filled with a strong atmosphere of national culture. Strolling through the small streets and alleys, there are folk-style inns, elegant teahouses and bars, and a dazzling array of specialty shops. Wandering among them will make you feel happy physically and mentally.
"The city of mountains and rivers has added new charm." Sitting on the bank of Suoxi River, under the willows, with the gentle breeze blowing, Li Xiaotong said that in such a short period of time, Wulingyuan urban area has been reborn as a phoenix, which is surprising. "It is really a wonderful thing to vacation and relax under such beautiful mountains and rivers. I will introduce more friends to it."