On the wall of Guo Zhanwu's living room hangs a tablet that says: "Cheng Fu Wu Gong," literally meaning observingthe five pillars with all your heart. The five pillars refer to the five foundations of a pious Muslim's life. These are: testimony of faith, prayer, givingzakat(alms) to the needy, fasting during the month of Ramadan, and making a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia at least once in one's life forthose who are able to do it.

The tablet is a gift from Guo's friends as a mark of esteem for his mother, who pilgrimaged to Mecca in 2006, observing all the five pillars.

The 45-year-old is a member of the ethnic Hui community living in a model village in Wuzhong in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The village is called Muminxincun, or new residential village for Muslims. In 2001, with the help of the local government, the village was refurbished and the houses were spruced up. Guo's one-storied house, built in the typical Hui style, has a big living room. The best bedroom facing west is occupied by his parents since that is where Mecca lies. Giving the best room to one's parents is the Hui tradition of respecting one's elders.

As a pilot project, Guo's house is the most popular tourist destination for those seeking to see a Hui home in Wuzhong. Since 2005, Guo has been playing host to domestic and international visitors interested in the Hui culture.

"A lot of international friends came to my house and enjoyed the cultural experience," Guo told us when we visited him on a hot day in July. "My annual income every year from the hosting is far better than the money I would have made by going to work in a big city."

Guo's yard is overflowing with flowers and fruit trees. His wife identifies the fruits to visitors, "This is a plum tree; that one is peach; the tall tree over there is jujube." Jujube is one of the ingredients of "Babao Tea" or Eight Treasure Tea, the regional drink of Ningxia.

"After 60, I may also go on apilgrimage to Mecca like my mom," said Guo.