A street that's paved with gold

"We will help to determine a homestay's theme and design based on the characteristics of its owner," he says.

"For instance, there's a middle-aged man who is good at doing woodwork and interested in training pigeons to do tricks. We suggested that he could run a pigeon-themed homestay with his handmade furniture," he adds.

Shen says that the bureau hopes that each homestay in Tekes county will have its own unique theme and style, which would add novelty value and have stronger tourist appeal.

They also distribute books that introduce the local cultures and history to each homestay for customers to read. Local art troupes and craftspeople have also been frequently invited by the bureau to tour the different homestays, performing for the guests and bringing them closer to the charms of the county.