Cultural Gene Bank in the Clouds.

Recently named one of the Best Tourism Villages by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Jikayi in Sichuan province has become a model for balancing modernization with ethnic preservation. Nestled 2,000 meters high, the village is home to the Gyalrong Tibetan people. It has successfully preserved centuries old stone watchtowers and traditional coming of age ceremonies while integrating them into a thriving homestay economy. In 2025, the village’s per capita income jumped 20%, driven by the fact that over 90% of households now participate in the tourism industry. The local government is now expanding this model to four neighboring villages to create a larger smart tourism zone.

©YovaniBernard