Urbanites and Artists Collaborate to Revive Countryside Life Through Creativity

Xing Weibin finds joy in simple countryside mornings—coffee in hand, surrounded by nature at his Saxiu art space. This peaceful retreat is emblematic of a broader trend, as rural China increasingly draws urban dwellers seeking tranquillity away from city life.

Xing first visited Shishe village in Zhejiang’s Tonglu county in 2015. With its serene 13,840 acres and approximately 900 residents, the village struck him as an ideal setting for a model rural community. Envisioning art as a catalyst for economic growth, Xing began transforming local residences into creative hubs. By 2017, his Saxiu art space was open, hosting exhibitions, book-sharing events, and coffee tastings, blending art with rural revitalisation.

“Rural revival through art depends on preserving local artisanship and traditions,” Xing explains, emphasising that collaboration with villagers is essential for lasting impact.

Other initiatives echo Xing’s vision. In Zhejiang, academic Cong Zhiqiang tested his ideas on rural development in Gejia, a historic village known for bamboo weaving. Initially met with scepticism, Cong’s efforts—including simple gestures like installing benches—gradually gained villagers’ trust. Over two weeks in 2019, Cong renovated local spaces, integrating artistic approaches to solve practical challenges.

Sun Jiashan, a researcher with the Chinese National Academy of Arts, highlights the importance of grassroots culture in such projects. “Art revitalisation must utilise local resources and inspire the community,” he says.

Collaborations between local governments, academics, and artists, like Ninghai county’s “rural revitalisation through art” initiative, are transforming villages into vibrant, sustainable communities. By integrating tradition, creativity, and community effort, rural China is crafting a new narrative of artistic and cultural renewal.