In neighboring Gaoping town, protection projects at three cave temple sites have also brought in more visitors.

Homestays were fully booked this spring, something that would have been unimaginable in the past, says Huang Xiuqiong, a resident of the town.

Local officials believe that additional rural tourism potential will be unlocked once restoration of the 68 cave temple sites is completed.

With increasing national attention on cultural heritage protection, investment has been on the rise, and as the cultural heritage protection workforce has become stronger, small- and medium-sized cave temples have benefited.

The academy plans to complete the renovation of the 68 sites over the next three years.

"This will transform these relatively lesser-known cave temples into artistic gems embedded in the rural landscape, no longer hidden from public sight," Jiang says.

Contact the writer at [email protected]