Successful Transformation of Orya Village in Barkham as ‘Jiarong Yaqin’ Homestay Welcomes Visitors

Dragon Media News Desk

The transformation of an old urban village in Orya, under Barkham City in the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China’s Sichuan Province, has been completed, with the newly developed “Jiarong Yaqin” homestay officially opening its doors to tourists and other visitors.

According to local reports published by the China Tibet Network, Orya is a representative old settlement located within Barkham City. In recent years, the village has moved away from its ageing and disorganised appearance through improvements to its residential environment, the upgrading of basic infrastructure and the development of cultural tourism.

Previously, roads and other infrastructure in the village were inadequate, the surrounding environment was poorly organised and many residential buildings remained unused. As a result, the village was unable to make effective use of its geographical advantages, traditional architecture and distinctive Jiarong Tibetan culture for economic and social development.

Under a programme to upgrade and transform old villages located within urban areas, roads throughout Orya were repaired, residential courtyards were cleaned and reorganised, and traditional Tibetan-style houses were renovated while preserving their original architectural character.
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The improvements have significantly changed the overall appearance of the village and enhanced living conditions for local residents.

Alongside the physical transformation, the village has also upgraded its local industries. The “Jiarong Yaqin” homestay, developed as a priority project, has emerged as a new model for integrating the transformation of an old urban village with cultural tourism.

The homestay retains the traditional Jiarong architectural style featuring stone and timber construction. Its interiors are decorated with Tibetan-style paintings, local handicrafts and traditional ornaments, creating a distinctive cultural atmosphere while providing modern accommodation facilities.

The homestay also plans to organise regular bonfire evenings and cultural programmes, allowing visitors to experience the folk traditions, songs, dances, clothing, cuisine and everyday life of the Barkham area.

The development of the homestay industry has enabled the village to convert vacant houses and other unused resources into productive economic assets. Tourism services have created opportunities for residents to find employment close to home, increase their income and market locally produced goods.

As tourism activities have expanded, the old settlement has experienced greater movement of people and increased commercial activity. Orya is now developing into a new destination showcasing the distinctive rural culture and tourism potential of Barkham.

The village currently features clean and orderly roads, courtyards and public spaces. Its combination of natural scenery, traditional Tibetan residences, Jiarong culture and commercial activity has made it increasingly attractive for both residents and visitors.

In the coming years, the village plans to strengthen environmental management and cultural heritage protection. It will use the “Jiarong Yaqin” homestay as a focal point for expanding rural tourism services, improving the cultural tourism system and ensuring that the achievements of the village transformation contribute to sustainable income growth and better living standards for local residents.