Abstract: Based on the literature review, the article sort out the differences in community participation in rural tourism in terms of perceived attitudes, forms of participation, and modes of participation. Taking Lihuaxi in Xinjin as an example, the development path of community participation differentiation in rural development of Lihuaxi rural tourism was analyzed. The following three conclusions were drawn： First, the development of rural tourism need to focus on the comprehensive benefits of economy, society and ecology; Second, community participation in rural tourism should not only concern the number of participants, but also the quality and ability of community participation; Third, high-quality ecology environment has always been an inexhaustible conclusion for the development of rural tourism.

Key words: community participation, rural tourism, differentiation, path analysis, Lihuaxi in Xinjin