Opportunities spring from Fanjing Mountain

陈小将

Editor's note: This year marks the 20th anniversary of President Xi Jinping's proposal of the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets". China Daily will present a series of stories on how resources such as mountains, rovers, lakes, forests and farms are being transformed into priceless gifts.

Tourists climb steep stairs to visit two Buddhist temples on top of a peak on Fanjing Mountain in August last year. CHINA DAILY

Since being declared a World Heritage Site in 2018, little time has been wasted in making Fanjing Mountain in Southwest China's Guizhou province a hot spot for visitors, attracting some 8,000 per day this summer.

The 2,570-meter peak, the highest in the Wuling Range, has become a mountain of opportunities for eco-tourism and locals keen on using Fanjingshan, as it is known in Chinese, to their benefit.

While famous for its Buddhist temples and biodiversity, Fanjing Mountain has provided locals with opportunities to work in their hometowns instead of having to look further afield.

"The beauty of Fanjing Mountain has given us a precious opportunity to remain in our hometown and build a livelihood here," said Liu Yan, 30, director of the Fanjing Mountain scenic area.

With a geological history stretching back 1.4 billion years and a well-preserved ecosystem home to more than 7,900 species, Fanjing Mountain scenic area employs hundreds of staff, from environmental scientists to forest rangers.

An aerial view of Fanjing Mountain in Tongren, Guizhou province, on the morning of June 30. LI HE/FOR CHINA DAILY

Turning green into gold

"Previously, the mountain's rich natural heritage remained largely untapped. In the past few years, we've been striving to leverage the natural gift to develop an economic edge," said Wan Qianyou, deputy director of the ecology and environment bureau in Tongren city, where the mountain is located.

In August 2005, President Xi Jinping, then secretary of the Communist Party of China Zhejiang Provincial Committee, proposed the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" during a visit to Anji county in the province.

The concept underscores the equal importance of environmental protection and economic development, emphasizing their potential for mutual reinforcement. Over the past two decades, it has served as a guiding principle for sustainable development across China.

According to Wan, the development of Fanjing Mountain in recent years exemplifies this approach, converting ecological wealth into tangible economic benefits. Tourism has unlocked the mountain's ecological value as homestays, restaurants and other services have sprouted around its base. As a result, from 2019 to 2023, the scenic area attracted 6.25 million visitors and generated 1.22 billion yuan ($170 million) in tourism revenue.

Last year, Fanjing Mountain welcomed 1.97 million visitors, a 7.2 percent increase from 2023, setting a new record.

"Those who lived and farmed on the mountain were relocated not far away a few years ago. This connected them with modern industries, so they now have more job opportunities and significantly higher incomes," Wan said.

Director of the scenic area, Liu, decided to come back and work in her hometown and has been employed in the scenic area for over a decade. Most of her colleagues, including tour guides, sightseeing vehicle drivers and cleaners, are also from local communities.

Yang Shengwen, 50, is a local guide. A resident of the foothills, he has worked on the mountain for over 20 years and earns around 5,000 yuan per month.

"Twenty years ago, only a few hundred people climbed the mountain each day due to poor transportation," Yang said. "Now, as the scenic area has become more popular and transportation infrastructure has been upgraded, we have more visitors and higher incomes."

Yang Changfang, deputy general manager of the Fanjing Mountain Culture and Tourism Group, said tourism at Fanjing Mountain has continued to soar, with annual revenue in 2024 increasing by 50 percent year-on-year.

"A complete tourism industry chain has taken shape, from ticket sales and mountain services to accommodation and catering at the base," he said.

The region's well-preserved environment has also attracted industries that depend on pristine natural resources. About a 40-minute drive from the mountain, Gui Tea Group, a Guizhou-based tea producer, sources tea leaves from local farmers and has established the world's largest matcha production base in the region, exporting its products to over 50 countries and regions worldwide.

"We produce clean, high-quality tea that meets international agricultural standards," said Zhong Jin, director of the group's general manager's office. Before selecting planting bases, the company conducts rigorous tests on local environmental factors such as soil quality. "The region's ecological strengths provide us with premium raw materials for matcha production," he said.

A Guizhou golden snub-nosed monkey rests on Fanjing Mountain on May 28. LI HE/XINHUA