Qingzhou, a county-level city in East China's Shandong Province, was one of the "nine states" in ancient China. Qingzhou Ancient City, boasts more than 2,200 years of history, and the deep cultural foundations that go with such a rich history. Given its beautiful environment, and its rich, rural tourism resources, Qingzhou in September was listed as one of the 100 counties in China with highly comprehensive competitiveness in tourism.
The homestay industry has thrived in Qingzhou, coinciding with the steady increase in the number of tourists, both from home and abroad, in recent years. Homestays, with their individual decor, have become a calling card of Qingzhou. Many young people, who recognized the promising future of Qingzhou's tourism industry, started businesses in the city.
Xiang Yu, a native of Gaomi, also in Shandong, is one of the young homestay owners in Qingzhou. She tried to have a singing career in 2000, after she graduated from an art school in Shandong. Several of her songs became popular, and she performed on many TV programs. By 2019, Xiang decided to start a business in Qingzhou. Why? "Qingzhou is my husband's hometown. I like the food and the beautiful scenery there. I hoped I could live a stable life with my family," Xiang says.
Xiang was also attracted by the city's thriving tourism and cultural industries. She transformed her family's house into a homestay. "A homestay should be a quiet, comfortable place, which is suitable for hosting cultural activities. Also, it is perfect that I can sing for the guests, if they want to listen," she says.
Building something from scratch is a great challenge. Xiang had to learn everything — including room design, decorations and how to operate a business — by herself. Although she sometimes felt lost, even anxious, about how to push on, she never gave up.
By consulting other homestay operators, Xiang gradually learned how to solve the difficulties, and she gained the experience needed to run her homestay. She opened the homestay in 2019, and the business has since developed steadily.
Xiang's homestay is adjacent to the gate of Qingzhou Ancient City. Some oil-paper umbrellas have been hung in the courtyard, and the traditional Chinese-style hallways and pavilions embody the features Xiang wants to showcase. "We hope the homestay will make guests feel like they are at home. They can relax, away from the noises of big cities," Xiang explains.
The homestay's staff is happy to introduce the guests to Qingzhou's top draws, including Yunmen Mountain, Qingzhou Museum and authentic Qingzhou food.
Xiang's solo albums are displayed in the corner of one room. Sometimes, Xiang sings for the guests, and she enjoys singing with the guests.
The homestay also hosts reading activities, during which members of Qingzhou Reading Society gather and read books.
"During peak season, it is hard to book a room in our homestay. Many guests choose to live here again when they revisit Qingzhou," Xiang says.
To promote the high-quality development of Qingzhou's homestay industry, Qingzhou's government has taken steps to accelerate the industry's in-depth integration with various industries, including catering, agriculture and healthcare.
Xiang has been busy expanding her business scope. In September, a healthcare-themed activity was organized in her homestay. Participants practiced singing, Baduanjin (a traditional form of Chinese aerobic exercise) and other forms of physical exercise together — under the guidance of professionals.
"I have discussed developing health-related services with other homestay owners. We believe such services provide tourists with more options, other than sightseeing, and the services will be good for the sustainable development of the homestay industry. We will continue to improve our health-related services," she says.
Xiang does not think of singing as a profession, but rather as a "true passion." She believes one can sing everywhere, as long as he/she enjoys singing. She often sings when she is welcoming her guests. Her masterpiece, Shandong My Hometown, helps listeners learn about the region's culture. She sometimes sings a song that promotes Qingzhou Ancient City. That song generally heightens guests' interest in Qingzhou.
"I hope all tourists will have a good time in Qingzhou," says Xiang.
There are many homestays with unique features in the suburbs of Qingzhou, and in neighboring towns and villages. Yunmenyin, a homestay in the Yunmen Mountain Scenic Area, has been artistically decorated, with traditional Chinese paintings and floral arrangements.
Qingzhou Culture and Tourism Bureau invited Tian Qi, a painter and founder of Yunmenyin, to help villages integrate the arts into the development of rural culture and tourism. By participating in the villages' landscape planning and wall-painting designs, Tian realized art can help advance cultural revitalization in the countryside.
The homestay industry in Qingzhou has provided fresh impetus to integrated urban and rural development, and the development of local culture. The industry has also promoted the development of other, relevant industries, and it has helped create job opportunities for rural residents.
Photos from Interviewee
(Women of China English Monthly December 2025)
Editor: Wang Shasha
