Rural cafés bring new experiences to China's countryside
(ECNS) -- Rural cafés are emerging across Hunan Province, combining coffee with local landscapes, cultural activities and tourism services to create new leisure options in villages.
Unlike traditional sightseeing-based rural tourism, these cafés integrate coffee with farming activities, handicrafts, reading spaces and outdoor recreation, attracting urban visitors seeking leisure close to nature.
They also help revitalize idle rural houses, turning them into cultural venues and creating jobs for residents.
In Liuyang, Jiayou Café, converted from an idle rural house, generates daily sales of about 3,000 to 5,000 yuan ($420-$690), with revenue reaching around 10,000 yuan during weekends and holidays.
Owners said rural cafés are moving beyond selling coffee to offering rural lifestyles and experiences. Young entrepreneurs also have helped drive the trend while promoting villages through short videos and social media.
(By Helen Mo, intern Liu Shuangjing)