New Era China Research Tour · Yangtze River Chapter | The Rise of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area as a "Green Pearl" Citrus | The Three Gorges Reservoir Area | The Yangtze River

Chongqing, July 3rd, Xinhua News Agency - Question: The Rise of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area as a "Green Pearl"

Xinhua News Agency reporters Zhang Guilin, Zhou Siyu, and Wan Zhiyun

In midsummer, walking in Yunyang County, Chongqing, located in the heart of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, one can see the lush green scenery on the riverbank, with ships passing through the river, creating a poetic scene that catches the eye.

Located in Yunyang County on the banks of the Yangtze River, with a forest coverage rate of 61.2%, Yunyang County is known for its abundant clouds and sunny mountains and rivers. It has a good ecological background. In recent years, Yunyang has seized the opportunity of "Yangtze River Protection", relied on ecological resources, vigorously cultivated characteristic agriculture, promoted the integrated development of agriculture, culture, sports, and tourism, and flourished the green economy.

Under the blue sky and white clouds, the car drove along the mountain road, passing by houses with green tiles and yellow walls, and arrived at the citrus forest by the river. Tang Changshong, a vegetable grower in Yunyang Town, Yunyang County, is inspecting the growth of citrus trees and lifting the green fruits hanging from the branches. He smiles and says, "We have another good harvest this year!"

After planting citrus for 9 years, Tang Changsong has gained a lot of "green" experience. With the support of the Citrus Research Institute at Southwest University, he also planted large and high sugar improved citrus fruits. Last year, he harvested over 600000 kilograms, with a production value of nearly 2 million yuan. Under his leadership, more than 10 households reclaimed abandoned land and planted citrus trees.

"Our area has a natural advantage in developing citrus due to its low altitude, good lighting, and abundant water sources. However, in the past, there were many diseases and pests, and the management and protection level was backward. Farmers felt that growing citrus was not profitable," said Li Linlin, Secretary of the Party Committee of Yunyang Town. In recent years, by improving varieties and promoting new technologies, the total citrus planting area in the town has reached 13000 acres, and two municipal leading enterprises have been cultivated. Small citrus has become the "golden fruit" that drives people's income and wealth.

On June 7th, farmers worked in the citrus industry demonstration park located in Vegetable Village, Yunyang Town, Yunyang County, Chongqing. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Tang Yi

Yunyang County has a unique mountainous three-dimensional climate, which is beneficial for the growth of traditional Chinese medicine. On the smart screen of Chongqing Sanxia Yunhai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., nine traditional Chinese medicine planting bases, including bergamot, Gastrodia elata, and Epimedium, are scattered. Through remote monitoring systems, staff can view the growth of plants in real time.

Zou Longqiong, Chairman of Yunhai Pharmaceutical, introduced that the company collaborates with village collective economy, farmer professional cooperatives, and farmers to build industries, provide seedlings and technical support, monitor planting quality throughout the entire life cycle, and drive the development of more than 100000 acres of traditional Chinese medicine in Yunyang and surrounding counties.

"Last year, the village reclaimed land that had been abandoned for more than 10 years and planted 120 acres of Epimedium. After production, the expected income per acre can reach 15000 yuan." Hu Lijuan, the branch secretary of Huobu Village in Qingshui Tujia Township, said that in the past, villagers had difficulty selling traditional Chinese medicinal materials. Now, leading enterprises provide seedlings, technology, and guaranteed minimum recycling, and farmers have a high enthusiasm for planting.

The person in charge of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Commission of Yunyang County introduced that in 2022, the output value of citrus and traditional Chinese medicine in the county exceeded 2.6 billion yuan; 16 agricultural product brands at or above the city level have been newly cultivated, among which one citrus brand has been awarded the title of "National Famous and Excellent New Agricultural Product".

Playing the "ecological card" well also unleashes the vitality of the emerging agricultural, cultural, and tourism integration industry.

In Liming Village, Fengming Town, about 30 kilometers away from Yunyang County, surrounded by terraced fields and fragrant flowers and fruits, a towering 37 meter tall tower style arrow tower stands in the mountains. This national cultural relic protection unit, the Peng Clan Ancestral Hall, witnesses the inheritance of a century old agricultural culture.

Nowadays, this ancient and tranquil traditional village combines characteristic agriculture, cultural relic protection, and agricultural cultural experience, shining with new vitality.

After the rain, hundreds of college students who participated in rural research activities walked along the field path, passing through the misty crescent pond, tender green rice fields, and blooming embroidered ball flowers, entering the ancient Peng family's old house and experiencing the rural scenery and traditional culture.

"The village has become beautiful, popular, and full of wallets," said Tan Xiaoli, the mayor of Fengming Town. In recent years, Liming Village has renovated about 3000 square meters of traditional residential buildings, supporting traditional farming, smart agriculture experiences, and educational tourism projects. This year's May Day holiday, more than 20000 tourists flocked to the small mountain village, bringing "real gold and silver" to the village collective and villagers. Many farmers seized the "business opportunity" to transform old houses into homestays.

This is the scenery of Liming Village, Fengming Town, Yunyang County, Chongqing, captured on June 8th. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Tang Yi

Not only rural areas enjoy the "ecological dividend", but in Yunyang County, along the lakeside greenway along the Yangtze River, more than 300 acres of lawn are lush all year round, with yellow kudzu trees, camphor trees, and osmanthus trees changing scenery step by step; Facilities such as basketball courts, football fields, tennis courts, and goal courts are complete; Sunshine Beach has become a national level beach sports competition venue

It's hard for people to imagine that this used to be a riverside subsidence zone, with prominent geological hazards, severe soil erosion, and frequent disorderly construction. Now it has transformed into a 4A level scenic area.

"We have organically integrated mountain and water resources and urban landscapes through ecological restoration and management in the county town, creating a city of mountain and water culture and a city of parks. The county has been rated as two 4A level scenic spots in the area. Since June last year, the county has received 22.8532 million tourists and achieved tourism revenue of 9.88 billion yuan." said Wang Ji, Director of the Yunyang County Cultural and Tourism Commission.

Adhere to the principle of ecological county and deeply cultivate green development. In recent years, Yunyang County has become a demonstration county for ecological civilization construction in Chongqing, a "late maturing citrus county" and a "cattle and sheep county". It has built one 5A level tourist attraction and four 4A level tourist attractions, and a "green pearl" is rising in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area.