China explores folk art market

China's rich treasure of folk art is not only a precious cultural legacy, it's also an  important economic resource.

China's rich treasure of folk art is not only a precious cultural legacy, it's also an important economic resource. For years, the Chinese Folk Artists Association has toiled to help underdeveloped villages and counties to explore the lucrative potential of their own folk cultures.

Hougou Village in northern Shanxi Province had been economically depressed for years. Its plantations and stock breeding are spare. Mineral resources are scarce. Per-capita yearly income had long been around 400 yuan, or 58 U.S. dollars.

Five years ago, experts from the Chinese Folk Artist Association arrived in Hougou to look around. They carried out a careful evaluation, then advised the local government to make the development of rural tourism a priority.

The ancient village opened as a tourist attraction two years ago. The traveling public has responded enthusiastically.