Rice fields at the "Daohai Liangcang" Rural Complex in Jiulonghu town, Ningbo. [Photo/Yongshang]

Zhenhai district in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, is building rural complexes in Jiulonghu town to promote the local tourism industry and increase villagers' standard of living.

With the arrival of late autumn, covering an area of more than 213 hectares, rice at the "Daohai Liangcang" Rural Complex in Tianyangchen village has entered its mature period. The vast golden rice paddies have ushered a new wave of visitors and photographers to the town.

Zhu Dong, manager of Jiulong Wangdao Agriculture Co Ltd, is currently harvesting in the fields.

"I apply 'rice-crayfish farming' in the fields – raising crayfish in the paddies. The crayfish eat pests, which helps improve the output and quality of rice. And flesh of the crayfish raised in this way also tastes good. It's a win-win," said Zhu.

A resident surnamed Chen is a shutterbug who visited the rural complex with his camera and drone. "I know about the place on the Internet. The rural scenery is beautiful - golden paddy fields, old buildings, and egrets and sparrows hovering over the fields."

In addition to the "Daohai Liangcang" Rural Complex, Jiulonghu town has built a fishing pond into a rural complex that integrates sightseeing, catering, and entertainment. Visitors can learn about aquatic plants while enjoying the landscape of wetlands.

Jiulonghu town turns a fishing pond into a new rural complex. [Photo/Yongshang]