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Debbie Mason

Wang Chunlian, 55, is a fruit farmer-turned guest house owner. Running her spotless 30-bed farmer 'homestay' guest house in a tiny village nestling at the foot of a stunning section of the Great Wall, she and her 63-year-old husband have developed quite a following.
How long have you lived in this tiny village?

All my life. I got married and had two children, who have now moved to Beijing, but I have never left. I love the quiet and the air.

Has it changed much over the years?

Not really, but lifestyle has improved. Things are far better now.

How long have you been running your small hotel?
P>We started it about 10 years ago. Farming was so hard and we weren't making any money.

What gave you the idea to open a guesthouse?

My husband and I noticed that more and more people were starting to come out here from Beijing on weekends and days off to see the Great Wall and come exploring, and we thought, yes, they need somewhere to stay, so we had a big discussion and thought we'd try doing this. There used to be lots of restrictions about where people could go, especially foreigners, but now they can go anywhere so more of them come up here, away from the more touristy destinations like Simatai and Badaling. They want to come to places where not so many people come, and this is perfect because we have a great big chunk of the Great Wall just outside the village, but because no one knows about it, they often have it to themselves.

You're not alone now, though. I have seen dozens of farmer homestays along the roads leading up to your village.

Oh yes, competition is quite stiff now. Lots of farmers have done it now because it's nicer work and pays better. We can still farm our fruit as well, so we have both now.

How do people find you, because you are quite hidden?

To start with it was just people who came off the beaten track and came exploring. But now we've been going quite a long time, so word of mouth gets most people here. The same people come back again and again because we are such good value for money - 50 yuan for the night, or 80 yuan if guests want air conditioning, then a really good farmer's breakfast for 20 yuan.

Have the Olympics affected your business in any way, or do you think they will?
P>It's hard to say whether we will get more people up here because of the Olympics, I just don't know. However, there is one annoying thing and that's the fact that new regulations mean every single person that stays here has to register with the police. See the notice up there? The notice was issued because of the Olympics.

Are the Olympics a good thing for China?

Of course. It's wonderful. All these countries will be able to come and understand us better. It's a great thing.

Will you be watching?

Oh I don't think so, I don't know the first thing about sport. Perhaps I'll watch some of it.




Wang Chunlian