Gongjing district in Zigong advances agriculture-culture-tourism integration

Gongjing district in Zigong, Sichuan province, is leveraging its distinctive agricultural resources, cultural heritage and rural tourism to drive integrated rural development and inject new momentum into rural revitalization, local officials said at a press conference themed "Development Along the Fuxi River" held in Aiye town on July 31.

The district has focused on four pillar agricultural industries — soybeans, potatoes, premium vegetables and rabbit meat — earning a number of national honors, including the titles of "Hometown of Preserved Mustard Stem in China" and "National Soybean Science and Technology Demonstration County." Several provincial-level modern agricultural parks have also been established.

To promote coordinated development, Gongjing has mapped out four agriculture-culture-tourism integration zones, with each town developing distinctive attractions based on its own strengths. Chengjia town has transformed its preserved mustard stem industry into a tourism attraction by combining a huge planting base, large-scale traditional air-drying corridor and ancient fermentation site with immersive farming experiences. Visitors can also learn about the production techniques for longxu dankoucai ("dragon whisker mild pickle"), a traditional craft recognized as a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage item.

Aiye ancient town has tapped into its rich salt-production heritage by revitalizing historic sites such as Dongyuan Well and Aiye Wharf. Visitors can experience traditional Gong fan-making, tie-dyeing and paper-cutting crafts alongside local cuisine, creating a blend of cultural exploration and leisure tourism.

The town of Qiaotou has introduced flower-themed night markets, citrus fruit-picking activities and agricultural study tours, while Wubao town has capitalized on its ecological resources and folk culture to promote specialty products such as peanuts and potatoes through e-commerce platforms.

The district has also established a three-tier rural tourism network offering suburban leisure, fruit-picking experiences and rural sightseeing. By improving tourism infrastructure, revitalizing historical and cultural sites, developing new consumption scenarios and organizing themed festivals, Gongjing has expanded its offerings ranging from aviation-themed educational programs and rural sporting events to folk performances.

Looking ahead, Gongjing plans to further integrate agriculture, culture, tourism and commerce, improve supporting services and accelerate its goal of becoming a demonstration zone for integrated agriculture-culture-tourism development in southern Sichuan.