City proud of scenic landscape, eco-friendly environment

Dai Biaoyuan, a poet from the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), wrote: "Travel around the beautiful South of Yangtze River, I'd only enjoy dwelling in Huzhou ".

In August 2005, President Xi Jinping, then Party secretary of Zhejiang province, visited Yucun village in Anji, Huzhou. It was on this occasion that President Xi Jinping proposed the important "Two Mountains" theory, calling clear waters and lush mountains invaluable assets comparable to the gold and silver of legend.

From that moment, Huzhou has taken major strides in its ecological development, towards creating a benign environment.

This lakeside city has become well-known for being the city where the birth took place of the "Two Mountains" theory and the home of China's Beautiful Village and ecological conservation in the Taihu basin.

The city's prominent landmarks include the Feiying Tower and the Huzhou Sheraton Moon Hotel. Nanxun town, which ranks among the 10 most charming towns in China, has well-preserved ancient buildings.

Other delights include the eye-catching Mogan Mountain and Xiazhuhu wetlands in Deqing county, which are hot destinations for tourists. Changxing, has paleo-ecological wonders including the Yangtze alligator.

Anji is the only county in China to be conferred with the UN Habitat Scroll of Honor. More than 75 percent of the county is covered with lush bamboo or trees. Anji, occupying 1,668 sq km, is a county with more than 667 sq km of bamboo gardens.

The Oscar-winning movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was filmed in the bamboo gardens of Anji.

Huzhou Sheraton Hotel stands in the middle of Moon Bay. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]