Nanhu district in Jiaxing city, Zhejiang province, has been a pioneer in China's rural revitalization efforts since 2003. By implementing the Green Rural Revival Program, the district has transformed rural environments, increased incomes, and enhanced the quality of life for residents.

Over the years, Nanhu has forged a unique development path. By focusing on balanced development between urban and rural areas, it has fostered economic growth, environmental sustainability, and cultural enrichment

A panoramic view of the Xushan Village in Daqiao Town, Nanhu District, Jiaxing, Zhejiang province.

Two decades ago, many villages in Nanhu district struggled with severe environmental challenges. In Zhulin village, Xinfeng town, pollution from pig farming had severely contaminated local waterways. In 2013, a large-scale cleanup effort dismantled nearly 400,000 square meters of pig pens and restored river systems.

Residents participated in environmental protection projects. Discarded bricks were repurposed into scenic walls, and old tires were transformed into colorful flowerpots. These efforts not only improved the local environment but also laid the groundwork for rural tourism. Over the past four years, a bamboo-themed scenic area in Zhulin village has attracted more than 838,000 visitors.

The "Beautiful Future" Road in Xinfeng Town.

Nanhu district has implemented sustained efforts to enhance its rural environment, focusing on infrastructure upgrades, routine inspections, and long-term management systems. These measures aim to improve the living conditions and appearance of villages across the district.

Nanhu district's Qishen Highway was named one of the "Ten Most Beautiful Rural Roads" by the Ministry of Transport in 2021.

Nanhu district's rural economy has grown significantly due to innovative agricultural practices. In Yuqiao village, farmers have adopted a rice-crayfish rotation system, which alternates between cultivating rice and farming crayfish in different seasons.

Zhu Hualin, a farmer in Yuqiao village, has increased his annual income to more than 300,000 yuan ($41,000) by managing over 1,000 mu (67.7 hectares) of land. Across the village, nearly 200 households have embraced crayfish farming, with each family earning an average addition of 18,000 yuan annually.

The village has capitalized on this success by establishing "Crayfish Bay", a shrimp-themed tourist destination. This initiative integrates agriculture, culture, and cuisine, promoting both economic growth and cultural development.

Sanxing village in Fengqiao town, Nanhu district.

Nanhu has also made significant investments in public services to improve the quality of life for rural residents. Infrastructure upgrades include 589 km of rural roads, making all villages accessible by dual-carriageway roads. Additionally, healthcare services are now within 20 minutes' reach of every resident, and education reforms have established comprehensive school clusters for compulsory education, ensuring all towns are covered by provincially approved public kindergartens.

A community public welfare parent-child activity was held in Xiangcheng community, Qixing subdistrict.

Cultural halls have been established across rural areas in Nanhu district, serving as hubs for activities that enrich residents' cultural lives. In 2024, the district organized 600 public lectures and 410 cultural events, involving more than 270,000 participants.

Editor Cheng Dengyu, Intern Jiang Chenxi