Yucun Village in Anji County, Zhejiang Province, took centre stage during China’s third National Ecology Day on 15 August, celebrated for its transformation into a model of sustainable development.
Once reliant on limestone mining, the 4.9-square-kilometre village suffered environmental damage from blasting and dust. A decision to close its mines and cement plants marked a turning point. A stone stele at the village entrance now reads: “Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.”
“After closing the mines, we started rural guesthouses and rafting activities – that was Version 1.0 of practising the green development concept. Now, ‘Greater Yucun’ is building industrial clusters for new economy, new cultural tourism, and new agriculture – that’s a leap to Version 2.0,” said Xu Jinjing, head of Tianhuangping Town.
Yucun has since expanded into “Greater Yucun,” linking 23 villages over 245 square kilometres. The area now hosts more than 40,000 residents. In 2024, collective operating income reached 2.82 million yuan per village, up 11.5% year-on-year, while tourism hit 1.22 million visits to Yucun and over 10 million across the cluster.
Green energy also defines the village’s evolution, with Tianhuangping and Changlongshan pumped storage power stations boasting a combined 3.9 million kilowatt capacity.
Named one of the World Tourism Organization’s first Best Tourism Villages in 2021, Yucun blends natural beauty with cultural experiences. Visitors can cycle winding mountain roads, explore misty bamboo forests, or attend concerts in repurposed abandoned mines.
“Efficient government services and ecological strengths make this more appealing than any urban office building,” said Duan Yi, CEO of Photoplus, who relocated his company here.