From July 10 to July 14, 2024, students from the Department of Integrated Resort and Tourism Management of the Faculty of Business Administration at the University of Macau, led by Assistant Professor Huiling HUANG, participated in the 6th Azheke Study Summer Camp in Yuanyang County, Yunnan Province, China, hosted by School of Tourism Management of Sun Yat-sen University.
A group photo of the professor and students from the University of Macau and professors from the Sun Yat-sen University in Azheke Village
Azheke Village is located at the heart of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces in Yuanyang County, Yunnan Province. It is one of the five key villages in the application for the Honghe Hani Terraces to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. On the first day of the camp, the team from School of Tourism Management of Sun Yat-sen University, guided the professor and students from the University of Macau into Azheke Village for field research. They learned about the current state of tourism development in Azheke Village, its business model, and the significant changes brought about by the innovative tourism poverty alleviation solution known as the “A Vitalization Plan in Azheke”. During this period, the students and faculty from the University of Macau hiked into the “Cloud Rice Terraces”, participated in local folk activities, and engaged in extensive exchanges and discussions with students and faculty from Sun Yat-sen University and other units of the “Tourism Poverty Alleviation Alliance of China University”.
A group photo of the professor and students from the University of Macau in the Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces
During the summer camp, the professor and students from the University of Macau also visited the Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces Museum, Yakou Village, and the Tiger’s Mouth Terraces Scenic Area to gain an in-depth understanding of the rich traditional Hani history and culture. They conducted field studies in traditional ethnic villages still under development and planning, and sought advice and learning opportunities from relevant government leaders, experts, and scholars. Over the five days of study and exchange, Professor Jigang BAO and Professor Jiuxia SUN from School of Tourism Management of Sun Yat-sen University successively held special seminars for all camp participants and interacted with students from different universities.
The summer camp then proceeded to the Chengjiang Fossil Site Natural History Museum, the former site of Sun Yat-sen University’s school, and the Zhongshan Hospital in Yuxi City for visits and learning. Through this study summer camp, the professor and students from the University of Macau not only experienced the charm of Hani mushroom roof houses and rice terraces but also witnessed the spectacular transformation of Azheke Village in developing rural tourism. They gained significant insights from visiting the cultural landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces and engaging in extensive exchanges with students and faculty from various universities.
