Country road a financial boon in Zhejiang

"Unlike the older generation — people who had to leave home for work — we can make money at home, as many visitors are coming now that there's a road," Ye said.

Efforts to promote the local tourism industry are ongoing. In 2017, Ninghai county spent more than 7 million yuan ($1 million) on renovating Zhuxu Road, adding more decorative greenery alongside, for example.

In 2021, more than 500,000 people visited the village. The average annual income of villagers was increased from 3,460 yuan in 2006 to 37,000 yuan in 2021.