Approximately 2,000 km away in Ningxia Hui autonomous region in Northwest China, the wine industry has become a powerful driver of economic growth in the region's desert villages.

In recent decades, Ningxia has earned the title of China's Wine Capital. By the end of 2024, Ningxia had more than 600,000 mu (about 40,000 hectares) of wine grape plantations and an annual wine output of 140 million bottles. Its wines are exported to over 40 countries and regions.

In Haoyuan village, one of the beneficiaries of the wine industry, per capita disposable income tripled to 24,000 yuan (roughly $3,477.3) in 2024, up from 8,000 in 2012.

Notably, this growing industry has also attracted young professionals back to rural areas.

Yuan Yuan, who graduated from the School of Tourism Management at Sun Yat-sen University in 2015, returned to her hometown in Ningxia to use her skills in the family winery.

In 2016, Yuan introduced the "wine + tourism" model, opening up the winery to allow visitors to experience the wine-making process, from grape cultivation to brewing and wine tasting. This model has created multiple income streams for the winery, while also benefiting many local residents.

"They primarily find employment in planting activities or as tour guides," Yuan said. "After training, they become proficient in their roles and grow more confident. Some even obtained sommelier certificates." Villagers employed in the tourism service department at the winery earn an annual income of 80,000 yuan.