A collaborative agreement is signed July 12 between the Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Pingshan District and Xiaoyin Qingshanji Culture and Tourism Development Co. Ltd. Photos from the bureau and Pingshan Media Center

Boutique rustic-luxe inns and cultural and tourism service spaces will be built in the old villages of Maluan Mountain in Pingshan District, according to a collaborative agreement signed July 12 between the Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Pingshan District and Xiaoyin Qingshanji Culture and Tourism Development Co. Ltd.

Drawing on Pingshan’s bountiful mountainous landscapes, rivers, and cultural resources, the two sides aim to revitalize the old Hakka villages nestled in the picturesque Maluan Mountain, which is renowned for its large waterfalls, breathtaking natural scenery and diverse fauna. The projects are expected to boost cultural and creative industries and enhance tourism services in the district, positioning Pingshan as a premium rustic-luxe travel destination in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Asia.

An aerial view of old villages nestled in Maluan Mountain.

In addition to constructing rustic-luxe inns that blend Lingnan and Hakka architectural elements, Xiaoyin Qingshanji will also spearhead cultural and tourism marketing efforts, alongside crafting innovative itineraries.

“When I first visited Maluan Mountain, I was impressed by its beautiful scenery. Pingshan’s unique ecological assets, coupled with the historical and cultural allure of its old Hakka villages, provide an ideal canvas for crafting rustic-luxe inns amid the mountain. We are confident in the success of this collaboration,” said Chen Gu, founder of Xiaoyin Qingshanji.

Hailing from Zhejiang Province, Xiaoyin Qingshanji specializes in rural tourism design and operations. Its Xiaoyin Half Day Village inns in Anji County, Zhejiang Province have been recognized as model inns by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism due to their integration of tourism, art, culture and creativity.

As an ecological trove in Shenzhen, Maluan Mountain is a key part in the city’s Mountain-Sea Vista project. The six 300-year-old villages dotting the mountain terrain stand as testaments to the preservation and evolution of Hakka culture in Pingshan, embodying a rich legacy woven into the region’s cultural tapestry.