In addition, 388 houses and buildings that were laying in disuse throughout the town have been renovated, according to Cheng Wangzhen, mayor of Zitong.

"Villages in the town would each have their own unique artistic features," Cheng says. "For example, there are a photography-themed village and a sculpture-themed village, which would cater to the different interests and needs of artists and visitors alike."

Some 480,000 tourists traveled to the town in 2021, generating nearly 8 million yuan in revenue for local people, despite all the difficulties and challenges caused by the periodic surge of COVID-19 cases in China.

"A piece of painting, a plot of land, and money earned sitting at home. "This is how Zitong residents see their life in recent years. In fact, their life is also changing in the subtlest ways. With an increasing array of options and more art space to spend their leisure time, more and more local people now choose to visit galleries and pick up their brushes.

In the past, more people would rather go to drink and play mahjong as their pastime, Cheng readily admits. "Now, they choose paint over pint, and more harmonious social and neighborly relations ensue."