Against the backdrop of comprehensively advancing the rural revitalization strategy, how to leverage unique rural resources to achieve sustainable socio-economic development has become a crucial issue. This study takes Xiaobu Village, Dinghu District, Zhaoqing City, Guangdong Province as the research object, focusing on the conservation and development of its abundant ancient tree resources. Based on the framework of symbiosis theory, employing methods such as field investigation, in-depth interviews, and quantitative analysis, it systematically explores the feasibility and specific implementation pathways of the "Ancient Tree +" rural revitalization model. The research constructs a four-in-one development model centered on ancient tree resources, integrating cultural heritage, ecological tourism, economic development, and environmental protection. Empirical tests using panel data from 21 prefecture-level cities in Guangdong Province reveal that for every 1% increase in the number of ancient tree cultural tourism development projects, tourist arrivals increase by an average of approximately 2.21%, with a significant substitution effect between ancient tree resources and development projects. The research findings indicate that deeply exploring the cultural value of ancient trees and synergistically developing their multiple functions can effectively achieve a mutually beneficial symbiosis between ecological protection and economic development, providing a new pathway for rural revitalization. Using Xiaobu Village as a case study, this research formulates a specific plan to empower rural economic development with ancient tree resources as the core, offering theoretical reference and practical paradigm for similar areas to promote rural revitalization by leveraging distinctive resources.

Wang Rui, Yang Xiaojin, Zhang Qingyang, Zheng Siyu, Li Jiawen, Chen Haorui, Wang Yong. Exploration of the "Ancient Tree +" Ecologically Empowered Rural Cultural Tourism Symbiosis Model——Taking the Community-Participatory Rural Revitalization Practice of Xiaobu Village, Zhaoqing City as an Example. Academic Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences (2026), Vol. 9, Issue 4: 42-52. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJHSS.2026.090406.

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