In early winter, Zhuanglang presents a picturesque scene—villages dotting the National Highway 312 and industrial parks humming with activity along the Jingqin Highway. The countryside boasts clean, paved pathways, solar streetlights lining the roads, and lush greenery inside greenhouses. This county, deeply committed to building "harmonious and beautiful villages," is shaping its future through meticulous planning, environmental upgrades, and industrial growth, bringing vitality to 80 such villages even in the colder months.
"Before, the village roads were rough, but now we have smooth cement paths and bright streetlights at night," said Li Mancang, a resident of Xunian Village in Shuiluo Town, pointing to one of the 594 solar-powered lamps with a smile. As a provincially supported rural construction site, Xunian Village has drawn inspiration from the "Thousand Villages Demonstration, Ten Thousand Villages Renovation" initiative, focusing on infrastructure improvements like paved roads, drainage systems, and upgraded household toilets. Today, 94 villages across the county have undergone similar transformations—20 at the county level, 44 at the municipal level, and 30 at the provincial level—with clusters along Provincial Highway 304 making "beautiful villages" the new norm.
The most visible change lies in the living environment. In Zhudian Town, 18 villages are advancing household toilet upgrades, with 682 completed this year alone. County-wide, 60,000 household toilets have been renovated, covering 85% of resident farmers. "The new toilets are clean, hygienic, and much warmer in winter—far better than the old ones," said villager Zhu Jihong after the upgrade. So far, the county has cleared 2,653 tons of rural waste, removed 1,882 unauthorized structures, renovated 192 out of 215 dilapidated homes, and planted 29,000 acres of ecological forests to enhance rural landscapes.
Thriving industries form the backbone of harmonious villages. At Wanquan Town’s digital apple storage and sorting center, workers carefully grade apples. "Our 200,000-acre organic apple base supplies raw materials for juice and crisps, fetching good prices even in winter," explained a manager. Nearby, a 50,000-acre virus-free seed potato base supports 360,000 acres of potato cultivation, while a 16,000-acre medicinal herb plantation thrives, driving county-wide growth to 32,000 acres. "I earn over 2,500 yuan monthly at the cattle farm and grow herbs at home—life is promising," shared Zhang Jun from Yuebao Town. The county now raises 123,200 cattle, cultivates 51,900 acres of vegetables (yielding 41,800 tons), and sees warmth spread through apple, potato, and herb industries.
From strategic planning to environmental transformation, from budding industries to clustered development, Zhuanglang’s rural revitalization preserves cultural heritage while boosting incomes. This early winter, warmth radiates not just from new streetlights but from the flourishing lives of its residents.
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