Xikou village is recognized by the FAO Villages Recognition Initiative. [Photo/Baizhang town]

Xikou village in Baizhang town, Yuhang district, has been selected as a demonstration village under the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), becoming one of 68 villages nationwide and one of five in East China's Zhejiang province to receive the distinction.

As part of the recognition, the village will be included in the FAO Museums and Networks global platform, allowing its rural development model to be showcased to the organization's 194 member states.

The award recognizes villages that excel in areas such as sustainable development, ecological conservation, cultural heritage preservation, rural tourism, and digital innovation.

In recent years, Xikou village has gained attention for its Village Museum initiative, transforming itself into what is known as China's first village museum cluster. The village now hosts 15 museums — the highest number in Zhejiang and unique nationwide.

In 2025, the museums generated more than 60 million yuan ($8.85 million) in revenue, welcomed over 300,000 visitors, and hosted 25,000 educational study-tour participants. The initiative also created 13 community workshops and provided employment opportunities for more than 300 villagers.

Local officials said the FAO recognition will further support the village's efforts to expand cultural projects, attract talent and investment, and explore new pathways for integrated rural, cultural and tourism development.

Ducks made from dried bamboo shoot shells. [Photo/Baizhang town]