Airbnb is dedicated to helping to preserve, perpetuate and celebrate the authenticity of Chinese Villages.

Also as a start-up, Airbnb knows a little something about starting out with nothing. So we helped to bring the villages back to life, starting with Jiang Bian Village.

In the future, the business model will roll out to more places through the shared economy for effective rural revitalization.

Young people in China are leaving their villages for better jobs. With the young generation gone, village culture is in danger of being forgotten.

Airbnb is a successful start-up. What if we used our knowledge in starting-up creatively, and literally teach these villages how to start up? This way, we will be helping them to generate immediate income, as well as building a sustainable business for the future.

We began by working with the Chinese government, soliciting their support as well as asking for their assistance in identifying a village for us to work with. Working with villagers, we then identified the village's biggest asset - their rich and unique culture. We then proceed to reframe the village into a cultural destination.

- renovated two old tilted houses into modern airbnb listing available for tourists all over the world. All revenue will come to the village community.

- launched a host training program to turn villages into professional hosts.

- introduced “The More of Less” - an immersive digital experience that showcased the humble richness of its local culture

- a branded line of local produce from the village was also launched, available through e-commerce.

- 90% booking rate within first 5 months with revenue of RMB 48,000/USD 7,171 equivalant to 12 months of village's income

- 185,236 ppl viewership with limited media investment

- branded local Lohan fruit tea merchandise sales amount to RMB 40,000/USD 5,976