people participate in the second leg of the 2019 Southern Guangdong Ancient Post Route Orienteering Competition.[Photo by Wang Jing/China Daily]

And all this has prompted the integration of related elements such as culture, sports, tourism and agriculture, and helped save a couple of traditional skills that were on the verge of disappearing.

Meanwhile, hotels are also booming in villages along the route. And this has led to the revitalization of the countryside.

This project is part of Guangdong's response to the Belt and Road Initiative.