A glimpse of stunning landscapes illustrating 'lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets'

A profound energy transition has comprehensively improved the quality of production and living spaces, turning "green" into "gold" in vivid stories playing out across China.

Thanks to nationwide ecological conservation campaigns, mountains that were once bare and ashen are now blanketed in lush forests, and polluted, nearly dried-up waterways have been restored into famous urban waterfronts.

Numerous success stories of ecological restoration in China have repeatedly proven that when people cherish nature, nature will surely reward them.

Photo taken on Aug. 6, 2025 shows an aerial view of Yucun village, Anji county, east China's Zhejiang Province, the birthplace of the concept "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets." In the village, once barren mining sites are now covered in verdant vegetation. These revitalized hills are not only a striking ecological landmark but also a treasured source of prosperity for local residents. (People's Daily Online/Guo Yang)

Photo taken on Aug. 4, 2025 shows the picturesque scenery of Erziwaliang scenic area in Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Gansu Province. In recent years, Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture has fully embraced green development, leading to continuous improvements in ecological environment. (People's Daily Online/Mi Yuan)

Photo taken on Aug. 4, 2025 shows a stunning aerial view of the Dongping Lake in Dongping county, east China's Shandong Province. Once crowded with fish cages, the lake now boasts clear waters and green shores, thanks to comprehensive restoration projects that aimed to return aquaculture areas and restore the ecological system of the lake and stands as a living example of efforts to put into practice the philosophy of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets." The revitalized lake reflects the harmony between humanity and nature. (People's Daily Online/Zhuang Runze)

Photo taken on Aug. 3, 2025 shows an aerial view of the Yitong River in Changchun city, northeast China's Jilin Province. Flowing through the city from south to north, the river once suffered from severe pollution and a reduction in water surface area. Since 2016, comprehensive ecological restoration throughout the entire watershed has significantly improved the river's water quality, turning its banks into popular leisure spots and well-known urban attractions. (People's Daily Online/Li Yang)

Photo taken on July 29, 2025 shows a farmer checking the growth of sorghum in Maopo village, Changgang town, Renhuai city, southwest China's Guizhou Province. In the past, nearly 40 percent of the village's land was plagued by rocky desertification, severely hampering agriculture. Since 2019, large-scale land improvement projects have transformed fragmented, barren hillsides into fertile, contiguous farmland, greatly boosting productivity. (People's Daily Online/Tu Min)

Photo taken on July 25, 2025 shows a worker watering saplings for a greening project launched by Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, for its northern and southern mountains. This major ecological restoration initiative aims to transform the city's environment, improving water conservation and controlling desertification through large-scale afforestation. So far, 28,000 mu (about 1,867 hectares) of trees have been planted. (People's Daily Online/Tsering Norbu)

Photo taken on July 17, 2025 shows a breathtaking summer view of Saihanba National Forest Park in Chengde city, north China's Hebei Province. Over six decades, three generations of workers have created a world-renowned ecological miracle on the North China Plain, transforming the area from a once-barren desert where "yellow sand dimmed the sun and no birds perched on trees" into a vast forest farm covering an area of more than 1.15 million mu (about 76,667 hectares). (People's Daily Online/Li Zhaomin)

Photo taken on July 16, 2025 shows the beautiful summer scenery of rice paddies in Guangdong village in Helong city, Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, northeast China's Jilin Province. By integrating tertiary, secondary, and primary industries in a green development model, the village has enhanced its natural beauty while improving local livelihoods. Rice paddies of the village, which features Korean folk customs, have become popular tourist attractions. (People's Daily Online/Wang Diyuan)

Photo taken on July 9, 2025 shows a stunning view of lotus ponds in Puyu village, Guimen township, Shengzhou city, east China's Zhejiang Province. By promoting integrated development among nearby villages, Shengzhou has fostered distinctive rural industries and drawn a vibrant picture of comprehensive rural revitalization. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Yongtao)

Photo taken on July 4, 2025 shows flocks of egrets perching on mangroves in Zhangjiangkou National Mangrove Nature Reserve in Yunxiao county, southeast China's Fujian Province. The nature reserve is the first of its kind in Fujian to be listed as one of the Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. It covers an area of 2,360 hectares, and hosts the most diverse and well-preserved natural mangrove community north of the Tropic of Cancer. With over 160 bird species recorded, including more than 20 key species under national protection, the nature reserve is considered a "bird paradise." (People's Daily Online/Li Changqian)

Photo taken on June 26, 2025 shows a picturesque summer view of Maona village in Wuzhishan city, south China's Hainan Province. The village has developed rural tourism focusing on the culture of the Li ethnic group and the local ecological resources. Without demolishing houses, cutting trees, or occupying farmland, it has blazed a trail featuring the in-depth integration of the local tea industry, tourism, and culture. Activities such as cultural exhibitions, tea ceremonies, traditional banquets, and bonfire parties have transformed day trips into overnight stays, effectively boosting consumption. (People's Daily Online/Fu Wuping)

Photo taken on June 16, 2025 shows the beautiful summer scenery of Tianhan Wetland Park in Hanzhong city, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. As a flagship project of the Hanjiang River restoration program, the park restored 160,000 square meters of green space and created 219 ecological islands, becoming a biodiversity-rich habitat for over 300 plant species, 30 fish species, and 90 bird species. (People's Daily Online/Weng Qiyu)

Photo taken on June 15, 2025 shows a magnificent aerial view of the forests in Changbai Mountains, located in northeast China's Jilin Province. Through large-scale ecological conservation and restoration projects and strict ecological protection measures, the local authorities have effectively preserved the area's natural beauty. (People's Daily Online/Li Yang)

Photo taken on June 14, 2025 shows an idyllic summer view of Qingshuitou village in Wangmang subdistrict, Chang'an district, Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. The village has taken on a greener, brighter new look through an environmental improvement project, effectively transforming from an environmental backwater into an eco-friendly village. (People's Daily Online/Wei Xin)

Photo taken on May 4, 2025 shows visitors enjoying leisure activities at Mingjingdang national water conservancy scenic area in Kunshan, east China's Jiangsu Province. Covering an area of 32 square kilometers, the area integrates flood control, water resource management, ecological restoration, and rural beautification, serving as a model scenic area featuring a harmonious relationship between human and water. (People's Daily Online/Wang Chu)

Photo taken on March 29, 2025 shows a sea of cherry blossoms in Sixiang valley, located in Wangqiao township, Shangcheng county, Xinyang city, central China's Henan Province. By integrating agriculture and tourism, Wangqiao township has turned the valley into a national 3A-level scenic spot, attracting tourists and boosting the local "flower economy." (People's Daily Online/Wang Yuxing)