In the context of the global pandemic, the development of tourism in the Yellow River Basin is constrained by the dual mechanisms of the decline in the quality of public service and the deterioration of the ecological environment. In order to promote the high-quality development of the ecological environment in the Yellow River Basin, this paper studies the coordinated development of tourism, the ecological environment and public service in the Yellow River Basin by treating tourism, the ecological environment and public service as a whole. Based on the coupling coordination function GM (1,1) grey prediction method and PVAR model, we discuss the characteristics of spatio-temporal differences, evolutionary trends and the interaction mechanism of the coupling coordination degree (CCD) of tourism-ecological environment-public service in nine provinces along the Yellow River Basin in China from 2008 to 2019. The results show that tourism and public service in the Yellow River Basin are closely related, and the protection of the ecological environment and tourism development are not contradictory. In terms of time, the overall trend is stable and upward from the perspective of the CCD of the three systems; in terms of space, Henan, Shandong, and Sichuan provinces have a relatively high level of CCD. While Qinghai, Gansu, Ningxia, Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi and Shanxi provinces have a lower level of CCD, which shows an upward trend from upstream to downstream in the space. The evolutionary trend of the CCD of the three systems in the basin will be upward in all provinces except for the Shandong province in the next five years. Tourism can promote both the ecological environment and public service from the perspective of the mutual influence mechanism.

China’s rural revitalization strategy demands innovative governance tools to address persistent challenges at the grassroots level. This study investigates how the rural points system contributes to rural revitalization, focusing on Xinqi Village in Ningxia as a case study. Guided by a theoretical framework that links governance dilemmas, institutional mechanisms, and revitalization outcomes, the paper analyzes the system’s formation, operation, and effects. Theoretically, the points system emerges from the interplay of interest-based competition, face-saving mediation, and social empowerment. It operates through a combination of management tools and incentive structures. Empirical findings indicate that the system improves rural revitalization by enhancing ecological livability, promoting civic behavior, and strengthening governance. However, its impact on industrial development and living standards remains limited. Key challenges include unclear institutional goals, poorly designed indicators, and a lack of material incentives. The paper concludes with policy recommendations to refine the system and argues that its application in underdeveloped rural areas offers valuable lessons for wider implementation in China and beyond.