In a village in Yunfu, Guangdong, a former pigsty now serves coffee, drawing young urban visitors and signaling a broader effort to revitalize China's countryside through local initiative and creativity.
The café, called Xiaxiaobai (下小白), opened in January 2025 after a six-day renovation led by a team of young entrepreneurs. It sits in Xiabai Village, a centuries-old settlement in Yunfu's Yuncheng District, where vintage bicycles and sewing machines blend rustic aesthetics with modern coffee culture.
The project began with Gu Jiying, a former social media planner, and her partner, "Big Bear". They saw potential in vacant village spaces as populations aged and youth moved away. Supported by a local "Rural Partners" initiative that recruits young talent to the countryside, the team secured an unused pigsty and redesigned it in just three days.
"We didn't want a standard renovation; we wanted to keep the spirit of the place," said Gu. Construction finished in under a week, using tables donated by older villagers and decorative items swapped with locals.
The café has no doors or windows, secured nightly with a canvas cloth and bricks, reflecting trust in the community. "Villagers watch out for us," Gu added. "They bring vegetables from their gardens, chat with customers, and even help behind the counter."
One regular, Huang Zaoqun, known as "Auntie Qun," learned to make mochas and coconut lattes after stepping in when staff were away. "Can you really make coffee?" visitors would ask. Her reply: "Whatever you order, I can make."
Since opening, the café has attracted tourists from across the Pearl River Delta, increasing foot traffic in a village once known for its aging demographic. The team has since launched a child-friendly restaurant, a sweet soup shop, a library, and a guesthouse—all under the Xiaxiaobai brand. More than 40 events, from photo exhibitions to outdoor concerts, have been held, drawing about 15,000 participants and creating around 20 local jobs.
The effort aligns with Guangdong's "High-quality Development Project for Guangdong Counties, Towns and Villages", which aims to boost infrastructure and youth entrepreneurship in the countryside.
"Rural areas have resources; what's often missing is someone to activate them," said Gu. Her team now plans to share their model through a rural innovation academy, helping other villages replicate the experiment.
While the café's success shows the potential of grassroots creativity, the founders stress that lasting impact depends on continuous local involvement. As one team member put it: "Rural revitalization isn't about big investments; it's about building relationships, one cup at a time."
Author | Feng Huiting
Photo | Nanfang Plus
Editor | Wei Shen, James Campion, Shen He
