Pingyi revitalizes county through culture, industry

Tourists explore a scenic area in Pingyi county against the backdrop of rising colorful fireworks. [Photo/Linyi Daily]

Pingyi county in Linyi, Shandong province, has charted a distinct path toward county-level revitalization by leveraging new philosophies, formats, and carriers to transform its rich red heritage into a powerful engine for development.

By adhering to a "culture plus" strategy, the county has made use of its revolutionary heritage to create immersive education centers. The Yimeng Mountain Mengtong Wonderland Resort, backed by an investment of more than 1 billion yuan ($147 million), offers a variety of immersive experiences. Utilizing regional IPs like Mengshan stir-fried chicken and local intangible cultural heritage, the initiative has doubled average visitor stay durations.

Simultaneously, Pingyi has cultivated thriving agricultural clusters, boasting 220,000 mu (14,666 hectares) of premium fruit orchards and 660,000 mu of honeysuckle, earning accolades as China's canned food capital. Bolstered by e-commerce networks, local specialties like canned yellow peaches and honeysuckle products sell nationwide. This synergy between red culture, green ecology, and industrial economy fosters a virtuous cycle that benefits local livelihoods.

Embodying the contemporary Yimeng spirit, young talents like local breakdancer Guo Pu have shined internationally. At just 17 years old, she won three championship titles in the space of 36 hours. Through balanced urban-rural growth and dynamic industrial upgrading, Pingyi continues to write a vibrant chapter of sustainable economic and social progress.