A wave of creative young returnees is transforming the rugged valleys of Central China's Henan province, reclaiming abandoned rural properties to build high-tech wellness retreats that are reshaping the local tourism economy.

At the foot of Baiyun Mountain in Checun town, these "youthful pioneers" are injecting digital savvy, branding and modern hospitality into traditional villages, turning an aging rural populace into professional hospitality managers.

The dramatic shift is anchored in the Luoyang city government's "Old House Reclamation Plan".

Launched in 2018 to spur rural vitalization, the policy encourages entrepreneurial residents to convert neglected or decaying homes into themed homestays.

Checun town was designated as the pilot zone for the initiative. According to local agricultural authorities, more than 500 old houses were initially earmarked for the project, with 214 properties successfully reclaimed and renovated across the township so far.

The economic returns have been swift. Checun now hosts more than 35,000 visitors annually, generating approximately 20 million yuan ($2.95 million) in comprehensive local tourism revenue.

"The current countryside retreat model emphasizes rural living experiences and is suitable for family tourists and group tours, with facilities for barbecues and gatherings, allowing guests to immerse themselves in a slow-paced country lifestyle," said Deng Zhanke, Party secretary of Tonghe village.

This approach has turned villagers into "managers", promoting homestay development and increasing rural incomes, Deng added. For many years, Wu Xuelian, 40, worked outside of her village — both in China and abroad. In 2021, Wu decided to return to her hometown — Tonghe village at the foot of Baiyun Mountain in Checun. "As a post-80s generation, I was always worried about my elderly parents and left-behind children," she said. "Now I can wake up to see Baiyun Mountain and breathe the fresh hometown air. It's very peaceful."

Wu grows vegetables and mushrooms, serving guests free-range chicken and handmade noodles in her eight-room guesthouse. During the holidays, her rooms are fully booked, she said.

She added that it was the local government's old house reclamation program that had drawn her back. Wu said that authorities even provided low-interest rural loans to help cover renovation costs.

"In the past, traditional homestays focused on attracting customers with low prices but provided only basic services. Nowadays, countryside retreats operate through online platforms such as Meituan and Ctrip, making the industry increasingly professional," she said.

"People have rushed to the countryside to enjoy the peaceful lifestyle. Visitors would book rooms online, and the more people enjoyed life here, the more others were attracted after reading online reviews and comments about guests' experiences," said Wu.

Xiao Tianyu, 33, who majored in traditional Chinese medicine, also chose to return to run a countryside retreat. "We want to promote rural life to more people who can love and really appreciate it," Xiao said.

"Our retreats primarily attract travelers aged 28 to 50, with many opting for short trips," he added. "When people hear children laughing in the yard, the sense of warmth and peace deeply resonates. More and more urban tourists yearn for a slow-paced life in nature and care about physical and mental well-being, which makes our homestays that combine leisure and wellness increasingly popular."

His eight-villa retreat, named Yunshang Xiaozhu, offers 40 rooms.

At the reception area, a robot recites real-time data on the local forest coverage, oxygen levels and seasonal wild herbs. Guests can also scan a QR code to explore a virtual reality version of the mountain. "Our local products, once only known within the village, are now reaching markets far beyond our mountains," Xiao said.

Contact the writers at qixin@chinadaily.com.cn