• Journal of Agricultural Extension & Community Development
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.295-308
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• 2016

The purposes of this research are to not only investigate the time-based and regional characteristics in process of development of rural tourism in China, but also explain the significances of rural tourism in China by economic-political significance and social-cultural significance. The characteristics and significances investigated throughout this research are as follows. First, the development of rural tourism in China can be divided by three stages: the first stage(1980-1990), the second stage(1990-2000), the third stage (2000 -). Second, the rural tourism in China has been mainly developed around the metropolitan city such as Beijing, Chengdu. But, they showed different characteristics in process of development of rural tourism. Third, rural tourism in China has been used in solving san-nong(三農) problems which are the most urgent issues in contemporary China and reducing the gaps of living standard between urban and rural area. Forth, rural tourism in China has contributed in satisfying the needs of travel and leisure caused by the improvement of living standard of people due to China's rapid economic growth. Last, it is suggested in this research that the legal and institutional systems be prepared to guarantee the benefits of farmers.