Xu Jiyuan turns his family courtyard into an "agritainment" destination in the 1980s, creating the prototype of the nongjiale.[Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

The local government supported him. It began to build roads and do landscaping.

Other villagers also began developing menus featuring local specialties. The settlement's nongjiale business was booming.

Xu has continued to improve his business since he understands challenges can arise. He continues to run his seedlings business and cultivates bonsais for sale.

He also travels with his cooks to expose them to new fare and requires them to develop a new dish every month.

The National Tourism Administration named Xu's Family Courtyard as China's first nongjiale in 2006.

But he didn't rest on his laurels.

He built a five-star village hotel in a 1.3-hectare resort connected to the property in 2011.

The hotel offers a bar and games, and hosts business and wedding services.

Xu and other households in Nongke banded together under the local government's guidance to establish the Nongkecun Scenic Spot Management Co in March.