Hong Kong Businessman Ding Qunfang Takes Root in Guilin, Transforming from Urban White-Collar Worker to "New Farmer"

China News Service, Guilin, Guangxi, March 14 — Title: Hong Kong Businesswoman Ding Qunfang Roots in Guilin, Transforming from Urban White-Collar to “New Farmer”

Author: Deng Junbin

“When I first arrived, I felt like a transplanted tree, unadapted to the soil; now, my roots have deeply embedded into the mud by the Li River, and no wind or rain can shake me,” said Ding Qunfang, founder of Legend Yu Long Yu Long Zhuang Scenic Spot (hereinafter referred to as “Yu Long Zhuang”), as she gazed at the distant Yu Long River in front of the site. 23 years ago, a chance trip to Guilin connected her inseparably with this landscape.

On March 13, a photo shows Ding Qunfang taking a group photo with the sign of Yu Long Zhuang. Photo by Deng Junbin

In 2003, Ding Qunfang first visited Yangshuo County, Guilin. At that time, she was a white-collar worker in Hong Kong, drifting along Yu Long River on a bamboo raft, with lush rice paddies on both sides, farmers driving water buffalo, and distant green mountains like ink strokes. “Coming from Hong Kong to Guilin, I was moved by the scenery of Yu Long River. It was a stark contrast to life in Hong Kong, very peaceful.”

Transitioning from an urban businesswoman to a rural entrepreneur was not easy. Ding Qunfang admitted, “I’ve been here for 23 years, and I get along quite well with the farmers. Their way of thinking is different from mine, so I need to communicate more and understand their needs. We can’t do things without considering them.” It is this understanding and tolerance that made Yu Long Zhuang a pioneer in the local “tourism + industry + ecology + culture” model.

“The biggest challenge was the short time from research to development, and before it was officially launched, the pandemic hit. After the pandemic, the entire industry is evolving, and we have to find new directions. That’s the hardest part,” Ding recalled.

However, the excellent environment and simple folk customs strengthened her resolve to stay and also inspired Yu Long Zhuang’s unique business philosophy. She integrated Hong Kong’s “service spirit” into Guilin’s “local flavor”: bamboo raft guides not only need to row boats but also sing mountain songs and tell village stories; within the estate, there are vegetable plots where city folks can adopt a field, come on weekends to farm, and be managed by village elders during the week. The elders earn income, children enjoy homegrown vegetables, and city dwellers fulfill their rural dreams.

On March 13, a drone photo captures the scenery of Yu Long Zhuang. Photo by Deng Junbin

Regarding rural revitalization and tourism development in Guilin, Yu Long Zhuang, as a key leading enterprise in Guilin’s agricultural industry and culture, cooperates with the Guilin Agricultural Science and Technology Center. Using new varieties and technologies, they integrate agriculture and cultural tourism through tourism reception and sales channels. Ding Qunfang believes that it’s important to stay true to the original intention: with such excellent ecological and tourism conditions, the project must be developed to increase villagers’ income and support rural revitalization.

“Let tourists slow down, let villagers get richer.” This is a phrase Ding Qunfang often repeats. In her view, rural revitalization is not about turning villages into cities, but about making rural life more like rural life—better living conditions.

Ding Qunfang describes her 23 years in Guilin with three words: “Rooted,” “Encountered,” and “Worthwhile.” “Rooted” means her roots have grown into the soil by the Li River; “Encountered” refers to meeting this landscape, simple villagers, and another version of herself; “Worthwhile” because she has watched Yu Long Zhuang transform from wasteland into today’s scenic spot, seen children from the village get into college, and heard tourists say as they leave, “I will come again.”

The night view of Yu Long Zhuang, captured by drone. Photo provided by Yu Long Zhuang

Over 23 years, Yu Long Zhuang has developed from a barren land into a distinctive rural tourism attraction, and has become a practice education base for primary and secondary school students in Guangxi, as well as a labor education base. It has hosted nearly one million visitors from home and abroad. Ding Qunfang’s story also exemplifies the cultural exchange and integration between Guilin and Hong Kong. (End)