Digang village is situated in Hefu town, Nanxun district, Huzhou. [Photo/hz66.com]

The development of rural tourism has emerged as a significant means of bolstering rural revitalization in Huzhou, East China's Zhejiang province.

Digang village in Hefu town, Nanxun district is one shining example of the city's achievements in rural tourism in recent years.

A typical Jiangnan village, Digang is a national 4A scenic attraction which is renowned for its pristine rural landscapes and mulberry fish ponds, a special dike-pond model that integrates fish ponds with the breeding of mulberry silkworms.

The model was listed as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 2017.

But Digang was not always like this. Back in the 1990s, the area was heavily polluted by the emissions generated by factories.

According to Yang Shenghui, Party chief of the village, Digang's dramatic transformation was due to the relentless efforts from the local government to not just tackle pollution but develop it tourism sector as well.

The government has to date invested 120 million yuan ($18.46 million) in the protection and development of mulberry fish ponds. Fish raised in these ponds have been designated a national geographical indication (GI) product. They also generate handsome incomes for local farmers.

Facilities themed on the local silk, fishery, and tea industries have in recent years been set up in the village to attract tourists.

In 2021, Digang received roughly 630,000 tourists and generated over 40,000 yuan in per capita income for local farmers, official statistics show.

In the village, visitors can admire ancient houses and pavilions along the river as well as experience the idyllic lifestyle of its residents.

Visitors can also learn more about the skills of a cask artisan and be tantalized by sweet-scented osmanthus rice cakes, wontons as well as over 200 dishes at local eateries.

Enjoying tea in a local century-old teahouse is another activity that should be on everyone's to-do list.