Wang's farmhouse restaurant Red Home in Huamao, Jan 13, 2016. [Photo by Yang Jie / chinadaily.com.cn]

"I first named my restaurant after my own name as Zhiqiang Farmhouse Restaurant, which was changed by our county officials into Red Home to highlight the red history of our village and make the restaurant unique," said Wang. "This was a very good change."

"Poverty alleviation is first about changing the mindset of villagers, which though it is very difficult can be done through patient conversation with them," said Zhou Chengjun, first Party chief of Huamao village, who accompanied Xi on his visit in June.

In efforts to bring a better life to more people, Huamao has been developing its tourism industry in recent years, making full use of its red history and picturesque countryside views.