Four villages in China were honored as Best Tourism Villages by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) at an award ceremony held in Huzhou city, East China’s Zhejiang province, on Friday.

The villages awarded were Huanggang in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture of Guizhou province; Jikayi in the Garze Tibetan autonomous prefecture of Sichuan province; Dongluo in Taizhou city of Jiangsu province; and Digang in Huzhou city of Zhejiang province.

Launched in 2021, the Best Tourism Villages initiative by UN Tourism honors rural destinations around the world that are leading the way in preserving landscapes, cultural diversity, local values and culinary traditions. So far, 236 villages from 57 countries have been recognized as Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism.

With the latest additions, China now boasts 19 villages included in the global list.

“The 19 Best Tourism Villages that China has, show the readiness and diversity of Chinese villages as destinations,” UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said. “All of them have unique cultures and traditions.”