Dongluo village in Xinghua, Taizhou, Jiangsu. [Photo/Jiangsu Department of Culture and Tourism]

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) announced its list of the Best Tourism Villages 2025 on Oct 17, with Dongluo village in Qianduo town, Xinghua, Taizhou, Jiangsu province, earning a place among the 52 honorees. It is the only village in Jiangsu to receive this prestigious recognition.

Nestled beside the 467-hectare Pingwang Lake, Dongluo is surrounded by misty waters and lush greenery. In the early morning, a soft veil of fog drapes over its whitewashed walls and upturned eaves, adding an ethereal beauty to this water-town landscape.

Dongluo village in Xinghua, Taizhou, Jiangsu. [Photo/Jiangsu Department of Culture and Tourism]

The village is known for its authenticity. In old oil workshops, the rhythmic sound of wooden mallets replaces the roar of machines. Nearby, traditional distilleries exude the faintly sweet aroma of fermenting liquor, filling the air with a sense of time-honored craftsmanship.

At the village's exhibition hall, farming tools weathered by years of use quietly tell the story of the locals' perseverance and ingenuity in reclaiming land from water.

Farming tools are on display at the village's exhibition hall. [Photo/Jiangsu Department of Culture and Tourism]

Every morning, the villagers' communal canteen comes alive with the aromas of Xinghua's famous morning tea. Crab roe buns burst with rich, savory juice, while glutinous pine nut shumai blend soft and crisp textures in perfect harmony. Gently steamed fresh whitebait from Pingwang Lake offers a delicate taste of the region's water-town heritage.

With its thriving traditions, natural beauty, and deep cultural roots, Dongluo village stands as a vivid example of how rural vitalization and tourism can flourish in harmony.