Jaded city visitors refreshed by Anji county's natural highs
Rural getaway transformed in 20 years since Two Mountains theory outlined
With no grand historical landmarks or scenic wonders, Anji county, nestled in a mountainous northern region of Zhejiang province, has transformed itself into one of China's most sought-after rural getaways.
Today, it is a sanctuary for urbanites seeking relaxation and a taste of slower, nature-centered living.
A vibrant community of creative entrepreneurs is redefining rural lifestyles to align with modern sensibilities in the county, which is able to preserve the rustic charm of the countryside while seamlessly catering to city residents' growing appetite for authenticity and tranquility.
Yucun village in Anji is the birthplace of the "Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets "theory, also known as the Two Mountains theory, which was put forward by President Xi Jinping.
On Aug 15, 2005, Xi, who was then Party chief of Zhejiang, made an inspection tour to Yucun. "We should not pursue economic growth at the cost of environment", for such growth is not true development, he said during the inspection.
In the two decades since, it has expanded from a 4.86-square-kilometer hamlet to a 245-square-kilometer cluster called "Greater Yucun", integrating 24 villages into a unified region featuring high-quality, modern, internationally oriented development.
