At 7:30 AM, at the Yanhe Village Committee in Wushan Town, Gucheng County, village committee members and village group leaders sit in a circle on time.

“There are many things to discuss. Let’s go through them one by one and handle them immediately!” said the village party secretary, Min Hongyan, getting straight to the point and assigning tasks to individuals.

This steadfast morning meeting has been held for 34 years.

Over 34 years, Yanhe has transformed from a remote mountain village into a national 4A-level tourist attraction. The per capita annual income of villagers has exceeded 40,000 yuan, and the village’s collective assets have surpassed 200 million yuan.

“The reservoir we’ve been waiting for over 30 years has started to store water. We need to closely monitor the finishing work on the village’s water channel.” At the morning meeting on June 3, Min Hongyan immediately discussed this livelihood project.

“The smart locks for the guesthouses will be installed this afternoon.”

“The live-streaming sales plan will be finalized tonight.”

Village officials responded one by one to the matters to be handled that day, setting clear time limits. Half an hour later, everyone went to their respective posts.

“I get up a little after 6 AM and have the meeting at a little after 7 AM.” Yang Xuhao, a town official stationed in the village for over a year, initially didn’t understand the morning meeting.

“Village work is trivial. We meet daily to resolve issues promptly. Besides, the villagers wake up early and are used to coming to the village committee to discuss things in the morning,” Min Hongyan explained the original intention of the morning meeting.

Let’s go back to the early 1990s.

At that time, Yanhe was a debt-ridden village described as “seeing bare mountains, seeing dry riverbeds, and seeing worried faces.” The village collective owed over 200,000 yuan, and the per capita annual income of villagers was less than 1,000 yuan.

In 1992, 29-year-old Min Hongyan took on the critical task and became the village party branch secretary. The new village committee established the daily morning meeting. From major issues like reservoir construction and industrial planning to minor ones like water pipe repairs and e-commerce live streaming, everything was put on the table for discussion.

“The morning meeting isn’t a showpiece; it’s for getting things done. If there are few issues, it takes a few minutes; if there are many, it takes half an hour.” Seeing village officials transform into tour guides, busy receiving wave after wave of tourists, Yang Xuhao gradually understood that Yanhe’s cultural tourism services and village-level governance affairs are complex, and the regular morning meeting is precisely the tool for efficiently serving villagers and tourists.

The reservoir and supporting water channel project, the focus of that day’s morning meeting, carried the hopes of several generations of villagers.

“This is the village’s ‘century-old dream’ and the most gratifying achievement of my work as a people’s representative,” said Min Hongyan, who had continuously proposed suggestions for

Yanhe Village

Yanhe Village, located in the mountainous region of southern China, is a historic Hakka settlement known for its well-preserved traditional architecture, including ancient tulou (earthen buildings) that date back centuries. The village was established during the Ming and Qing dynasties by Hakka families seeking refuge from conflict, and it served as a self-sufficient community with a strong emphasis on clan unity and defensive design. Today, it stands as a cultural heritage site, offering insights into Hakka history, communal living, and rural life in Fujian Province.

Gucheng

Gucheng, also known as the “Ancient City,” is a historic area in various parts of China, most notably the Gucheng District in Lijiang, Yunnan. This region is famous for its well-preserved traditional Naxi architecture and ancient streets, which date back over 800 years to the Song and Yuan dynasties. As a key cultural site, it reflects the rich heritage of the Naxi people and their unique blend of Han Chinese, Tibetan, and indigenous influences.

Xiangyang

Xiangyang is a historic city in Hubei Province, China, renowned for its strategic military importance and well-preserved ancient city walls. It served as a key battleground during the Three Kingdoms period and was famously besieged by the Mongol Empire for six years before falling in 1273, a pivotal event in the conquest of the Southern Song dynasty. Today, its cultural sites, such as the Xiangyang Ancient City and Zhongxuan Tower, attract visitors interested in Chinese history and architecture.

Wushan Town

Wushan Town, located in Chongqing, China, is a historic riverside settlement along the Yangtze River, known for its scenic beauty and ancient cultural heritage. Its history dates back over a thousand years, serving as a strategic port and administrative center during various Chinese dynasties. Today, the town is famous for its well-preserved traditional architecture and its proximity to the Three Gorges region, drawing tourists and history enthusiasts alike.

Gucheng County

Gucheng County, located in Hengshui City, Hebei Province, China, has a history dating back over 2,200 years to the Warring States period. It is known for its well-preserved ancient city walls, built during the Ming Dynasty, and its rich agricultural heritage, particularly as a major producer of high-quality millet. The county also gained modern recognition for its role in traditional Chinese medicine, with the Gucheng Spring and Autumn Dream (Gucheng Chunqiu Meng) reflecting its cultural legacy.