Xband

About Xband

Xband, also known as Xiangban Cultural Tourism Group, is an operator focused on China's rural tourism and revitalization sector. Founded in 2015 by Zhu Shengxuan, who previously served as the landscape consultant for the Shanghai World Expo, the company aims to restructure the relationship between urban and rural areas. It provides a comprehensive range of services, including planning, design, construction, and operations for rural development projects.

The company's core business model is the "Pastoral Complex," where it revitalizes traditional villages by introducing a mix of modern amenities and attractions. This includes developing boutique民宿 (homestay) clusters, family-friendly theme parks, restaurants, and workshops to create comprehensive tourist destinations. Xband operates several brands, such as the short-term rental brand Xband Ideal Village, boutique homestay brands like Yuanshe and Shu Wa, and the Green Land theme park. This model targets the growing market for domestic tourism and city-dwellers seeking leisure in nearby rural areas. By managing the entire value chain, from initial design to ongoing operations and IT support, the company aims to create sustainable and economically viable rural communities.

Xband has secured significant funding to fuel its expansion. In March 2018, it raised RMB 63.5 million in a Series A round from a fund co-established by CYTS, Sequoia, and IDG. This was followed by a RMB 200 million Series B round led by Trustbridge Partners in February 2020. These investments have been used for project expansion, team building, and IT system development, with plans to manage 10,000 homestay rooms within five years.