'Gold mountains'

Ma'anshan, where forest ranger Zheng Jie lives, is thriving, with local people engaged in planting grapes, greening and tourism. A village tourist reception center is also currently under construction.

"The hills were bare, and heavy rain led to floods, with stones washed down," said Zhang Guozhi, the village's former Party chief, recalling the scene from over 10 years ago.

The village authorities encouraged residents to plant trees, guaranteeing them a financial return. So far, the village has completed the greening of some 200 hectares of mountainous land.

In addition to tourism, the locals receive an income from mountain-grown products such as hazelnuts, mushrooms and apricots.

The village, which has over 1,000 residents, shook off poverty in 2017. Its per capita disposable income reached 15,900 yuan last year.

"We will continue our greening efforts and aim to become a 5A-level scenic area," said Liu Yeyang, the current Party chief of the village.

Like Ma'anshan, the integration of agriculture and tourism has also been practiced in other rural areas.

In Gaogenyingzi village, near the urban area of the city of Ulanhot, an old section of riverbed that was used as a garbage dump has been transformed into a water park, the Shenjunwan Ecological Experience. Dozens of villagers work in the scenic area as security guards, cleaners or boat pilots.

"Several years ago, the site was quite smelly. Who would have thought that an abandoned sand pit would become a 'treasure bowl'?" said Peng Dianqi, a villager who is head of the security staff in the scenic area.

He earns 4,500 yuan a month from the job. "I used to be too poor to eat properly or buy clothes. Now, I can't say that I'm rich, but I'm living a really comfortable life," said Peng, as he praised the policy that has brought about major changes in his life.

According to the managers of the tourist area, new projects will be carried out in the future to develop winter tourism and family inns so the value of the beautiful area will be further realized.