Niuqiao village in Zhangjiagang, a county-level city in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, has made remarkable progress in ecological civilization. [Photo/zjgonline.com.cn]

Niuqiao village in Zhangjiagang, a county-level city in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, has made remarkable progress in ecological civilization, and has continuously improved the environment and rural living conditions in recent years, aiming to build a beautiful, livable countryside, local news reported on April 9.

The city launched a project to renovate its countryside in 2020, and more than 10 million yuan ($1.53 million) was invested into the upgrading of the village landscape, infrastructure, and the environment.

"The river environment was improved by dredging and renovating embankments, and an ecological revetment was built to prevent pollution. Efforts were also made to renovate rural houses, and wall paintings themed around garbage classification, social etiquette, and civility were created," according to an official of the village.

Niuqiao village also stepped up efforts to develop industries with high added value, such as rural tourism, with nearly 100,000 visitors attracted by its unique and picturesque countryside views.

A local authority said that in the future, Niuqiao village will further promote the integrated development of farming and tourism by exploring new ways to boost leisure and sightseeing agriculture.