Rural beautification alters time-worn villages

SINCE the Beautiful Countryside campaign kicked off last year, villages in Minhang have been undergoing a dramatic makeover.

Rural revitalization will continue to be a key project in 2019. Minhang officials have released plans to increase the number of model villages to 20 by 2022.

Rehabilitation on five villages will begin this year. The development plans, aside from improving the environment of the areas, will include a focus on organic farming.

Gexin Village has been designated as both a “beautiful village” and a “model village” under the program. It is one of the five “traditional Chinese villages” in China, home to the Zhaojialou Ancient Town, a famous tourist attraction.

Gexin Village has preserved its traditional architecture style, but the village walls were painted the same color to enhance the appearance of the environment.

“We preserved traditional elements in the rehabilitation, like the style of buildings that relate to Chinese ink painting,” said a government staffer.

During the recent Shanghai People’s Congress, Shanghai’s Mayor Ying Yong talked of the importance of improving the eco-environment of villagers.