Zhangjiazhuang village, by the Chaobai River, has leveraged the brand, transforming empty houses into artists' studios and bookstores, and gradually evolving into a village that attracts art enthusiasts and study groups.

Over the past three years, the town has received over 3 million tourist visits. It has also attracted many young people to develop businesses.

"From barren hills to a popular area that features a healthy ecosystem, this proves that ecological investment is not a cost, but a rewarding strategic investment," says An.

Like the Bailu Bay project, which has driven the development of seven villages, Shandong as a whole has developed 2,070 such integrated development areas in recent years, according to the Shandong Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

These regions establish collaborative mechanisms among geographically connected and economically complementary villages, functioning as cohesive units characterized by unified planning, interconnected industries, shared infrastructure, and coordinated governance. They now encompass over 18,000 villages.