Niulou Community, XinYan Town

　　   The village of Niujialou in XinYan Town, Yanzhou City, was established in the early Ming Dynasty. It was originally called Raojia Village. According to the inscription on the stele commemorating the renovation of the Guan Yu Temple in the first year of the Tongzhi reign (1862) during the Qing Dynasty, it reads: “The present Niulou was once Raojia Village.” It also states: “The Niu family moved here from Jining 300 years ago.” Outside the village, there used to be a settlement called Raojia Village, but later the Rao family moved elsewhere. The ancestor of the Niu family in this village became the “son-in-law of the noble rank” (junma) by marrying a daughter of the Prince of Lu who resided in Yanzhou during the Zhengde era (1506–1521) of the Ming Dynasty. The family later settled within the urban area of Yanzhou, where they built a rural residence and constructed buildings with floors, hence the name Niujialou (Niu Family Building).

　　    In 2008, village resources were integrated to construct the new Niulou Community, which was recognized as a Shandong Province Tourism Characteristic Village by the Provincial Tourism Bureau in 2011. The Niulou Community utilized an idle plot of land to the north of the village that became unsuitable for farming after the original poplar plantation lease expired and where dense high-voltage power lines made industrial development impractical. The site was developed into the Niulou Community Cultural Market. The planned total area covers 180 mu, with the first phase covering 80 mu and an investment of 26 million yuan. It is divided into five major business zones: the first is an antiques, jade ware, mahogany furniture, and handicrafts zone spanning 5,000 square meters; the second is a flowers and potted plants exhibition and sales hall of 10,000 square meters; the third is a pets zone of 9,000 square meters; the fourth is a commercial trade area of 8,000 square meters; and the fifth is a comprehensive service area of 5,000 square meters. This forms a large-scale, professional, and comprehensive service base integrating tourism, sightseeing, leisure, and entertainment. Currently, over 100 businesses have set up shop there. In May, the scale will be further expanded, with plans to invest 30 million yuan to launch the second phase. This will include a swimming pool, roller rink, cultural and sports center, food court, and other amenities, aiming to establish the largest leisure and entertainment base in southwestern Shandong. The well-developed infrastructure — including roads, water, electricity, heating, internet, and logistics — has created a fully equipped modern cultural park. By collaborating with local flower production bases, the market leverages technical, informational, and market advantages to build an integrated industry chain encompassing standardized production, sales, demonstration, and research, distinguishing itself from traditional flower markets. This enables “southern flowers grown in the north and western flowers transported eastward,” fundamentally reducing operational costs. Through various forms of networking with renowned technical associations, calligraphy, seal engraving, and craft masters, the market enhances product quality and sophistication, boosts its visibility and reputation, cultivates a unique market culture, and attracts more residents and tourists for sightseeing and shopping.

　　   Address: Niulou Village, east of the XinYan Town Government Office, XinYan Town, Yanzhou City, Jining

　　   Business Hours: 24 hours

　　   Highlight: Niulou Community Cultural Market

　　   Supporting Facilities:

　　   The village offers agritainment services, providing accommodation and meals for visitors.