“We have successfully restored some historic buildings with a history of over 100 years according to ancient plans in a bid to make the county look like what it was in the old days,“ said Zhou Hu, deputy director of the Cultural Relics Conservation Center in Shexian.

　　This photo taken on March 18, 2025 shows the Yanghe Gate of Huizhou ancient town in Shexian County, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Du Juanjuan)

　　An aerial drone photo taken on March 19, 2025 shows the bell tower at Zhonghe Street in Huizhou ancient town, Shexian County, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Guo Chen)

　　A 2016 ordinance backs the effort, while visitors taste the local specialty, Huangshan Maofeng tea, and learn Chinese traditional calligraphy.

　　“The combination of culture and tourism has brought tourists closer to traditional culture,“ said Yu Xuewu, deputy chief of the county Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau.

　　A tea artist brews Huangshan Maofeng tea at Wugongling tea garden in Shexian County, east China's Anhui Province, March 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Du Juanjuan)

　　A tourist rests at a cafe in Huizhou ancient town, Shexian County, east China's Anhui Province, March 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Guo Chen)