Visitors are stunned by a spectacular terrace field in Yunhe county, Lishui. [Photo/VCG]

The Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau on June 25 announced the finalists for the province's unmovable cultural relic protection and utilization list. The Yunhe (Meiyuan) terrace, located in Yunhe county, Lishui city, made to the list.

Unmovable cultural relics refer to historic and cultural sites, ancient architecture, and other unmovable artifacts. Due to the impact of urbanization and the social environment, these relics have become more difficult to protect.

In recent years, the protection of cultural relics in Yunhe has been improving steadily. The Yunhe terrace protection and utilization project has achieved remarkable results and greatly benefited locals.

The Yunhe terrace, considered the most beautiful terrace in China, integrates harmoniously with mountains, waters, and villages. Its appearance varies with the seasons and throughout the day.

The Yunhe terrace was first reclaimed during the late Tang (618-907) and early Song (960-1279) dynasties and then gradually developed with the rise of the local silver mining industry.

Yunhe county has now built a brand new ecosystem on the basis of its natural community and strives to promote targeted poverty alleviation and rural revitalization by developing the economy around the terrace by taking advantage of the natural environment, leisure activities, and beautiful scenery.

In addition, by promoting the unified integration of cultural and industrial brands through innovation, the Yunhe terrace brings cultural heritage back to life.

According to statistics from the tourism department, during this year's May Day holiday, 89,300 tourists visited the Yunhe terrace. It achieved a total operating income of 19.28 million yuan ($2.99 million) on May 1-5, an increase of 583 percent year-on-year.