Rose Village set to be a budding success in Lijiang

The hotly anticipated Rose Village of Lijiang Ancient Town will be ready to officially open its doors to the public on Oct 1, just in time for the National Day holiday.

Visitors have been so eager to get a glimpse of the village that many have even been turning up before its completion, hampering the finalization of its construction.

It is the first village of its kind in China to be rose-themed, and is set to improve the livelihoods of locals by attracting more visitors who will spend more money in the area and boost the local economy.

Each of the 442 traditional houses in the 80,000-sq-m village has been painted to create a colorful 3-D effect and carry a rose theme. A particular highlight is a 500-meter-long 3-D painting which has been submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest of its kind.

The cost of an entry card for Rose Village will be 30 yuan ($4.5), and each visitor will receive a complimentary rose and bottle of rose water. Some 20 yuan from each ticket sold will be plowed back into the village to further develop facilities.

Not only will visitors be treated to wonderful scenery, they will also be able to sample edible roses, take part in arts and crafts, and attend 3-D photography exhibitions and cosplay shows.

An official from the village said that plans for further development are on the horizon, such as shops from Korea and Thailand, and a coffee museum.

The first phase of Rose Village is set to offer some 100 job opportunities, as stores, restaurants and supermarkets open for visitors.

A 500-meter-long 3-D painting stretches down a street in Rose Village, Lijiang Ancient Town. [Photo/ynci.cn]

A visitor poses in front of a 3-D picture wall. [Photo/ynci.cn]

Rose Village is packed with colorful houses. [Photo/ynci.cn]