Yucun Village in Zhejiang Province stands as a testament to China's environmental and economic transformation. Once shrouded in limestone dust from intensive mining operations, this rural community has reinvented itself as a global tourism destination through bold ecological restoration efforts.
From Explosions to Ecosystems
In the 1980s, villagers blasted mountains to extract limestone for cement production. While profitable, the environmental cost became unbearable. "We faced severe ecological damage with no clear path forward," recalled Hu Jiaren, former secretary of the Yucun Village Committee of the Communist Party of China.
The turning point came in 2005 when Xi Jinping, then secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, visited the village. His endorsement of mine closures and subsequent articulation of the "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" philosophy marked a new chapter.
Economic Blossoming Through Eco-Tourism
Former miner Pan Chunlin exemplifies the village's transformation. After operating heavy machinery for years, he now runs a successful guesthouse. "We've traded dynamite for hospitality," Pan told CGTN, highlighting his team's collaborative success in the new economy.
The results speak volumes: 1.22 million tourist visits in 2024 alone, generating 22.05 million yuan ($3.1 million) in collective income. Per capita income reached 74,000 yuan with annual dividends quintupling since 2020.
Industrial Legacy Reimagined
Abandoned cement factories now house trendy cafes, while former mining sites bloom with rice paddies and sunflower fields. This physical transformation mirrors the community's economic shift from resource extraction to sustainable development.
