An aerial view of Sanshan village in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]

Dense forests, idyllic farmlands, and a vast sea of clouds made Sanshan village, a testing ground for rural revitalization in eastern Ningbo, Zhejiang province, a popular tourist destination during the Spring Festival holiday.

"The beautiful environment and convenient public facilities make for a satisfying and relaxing rural experience," said a tourist from Shanghai.

Sanshan, under the guidance of the government, has been devoted to rural development in recent years and has significantly improved its natural environment and public services.

Ye Yunlang, Party chief of the village, said that the development of roads, homestays and local food are what made the village attractive to tourists.

"Only when the whole environment gets better can the village be appealing to visitors," Ye said. He pointed out that Sanshan's current beauty is a result of past efforts.

"We spent 35 million yuan ($5.53 million) improving the water environment and were under a lot of pressure due to misunderstandings by the villagers," Ye recalled.

The official movement initiated by the government has now made the villagers aware of the importance of protecting the environment. Many of them have been participating in activities to promote environmental protection.

In the process of developing rural areas, Sanshan has also been respecting its history and culture. Lu Hai, a professor from Ningbo University who participated in the planning and design of Sanshan village, said an ideal village should simultaneously possess a beautiful environment, a rich culture and a modern life.

As a result, traditional folk stories and handicrafts are commonly seen in the new buildings. Old residential households, ancient trees and time-honored folk culture are in harmony with the daily life of villagers in Sanshan.