Abandoned plots of farmland have been turned into a "city farm", where urban residents can rent a patch of land to grow whatever crops they like. Those renting the land can farm it themselves or pay villagers to do it.

At weekends, many people living downtown bring their children to the village to work the land. That has helped create jobs, with some villagers teaching farming techniques and delivering vegetables to the city, while others make more money from their land.

Yan Deqiang, who studied logistics management in college, returned to the village after it was threatened with demolition and is now devoted to the city farm project, where he oversees vegetable deliveries.

"Now I can use what I have learned outside to help improve my hometown," he said. "We have to protect the old buildings. If everyone contributes a little bit, the village will see big progress."

Li said it was also important not to ignore the potential of the young.

"Even if some are without college degrees, they still can change their lives and the destiny of the village," she said. "Their efforts saved the village from being demolished. The villagers' sense of belonging has improved a lot, and they are proud of their community now, which is the most important thing."

She said the newly vibrant village, with its fruit-laden trees, well-tended vegetable fields and clean environment, will remain in her heart forever.

After witnessing Yuanqianshe's transformation from a shabby place to a beautiful village in the past four years, Li said she had chosen to stay there.

Following in Li's footsteps, Xiamen introduced 35 new assistant village directors from Taiwan this month - all rural planners like Li.

"Local people are nice to Taiwan people, because we share the same accent and have similar eating habits," she said. "I hope the new assistant directors can also play to their strengths and talents, and bring their experiences here.

"Nowadays I often think of the rainy season in 2014, when I first set foot in Yuanqianshe," Li said. "My feet were stuck deep in mud. It took a great deal of effort to pull them out, and one of my sandal straps broke.

"The land in Yuanqianshe is so sticky that I have been 'stuck' here for four years - and maybe longer."