The Zhejiang Photographers Association recently announced the first group of Zhejiang Photography Towns, involving 13 towns and sub-districts in 10 cities in the widely admired province in East China.

Zhejiang has always been a popular destination for photographers, so the association decided to develop the concept of a photography town to leverage the province's considerable scenic attractions – that appeal to shutterbugs around the country – and use them to help drive the establishment of art villages and boost its rural development.

The Zhejiang Photography Towns will get support from the association in the planning and implementation of photography projects, the training of photographers, exhibitions and in other areas. 

Dagangtou town in the Liandu district of Lishui city and Chongtou town in Lishui's Yunhe county were on the list of photography towns.

With stunning nature on its doorstep, Dagangtou town – in the Guyan Huaxiang national 4A-level scenic spot in Zhejiang province – has considerable charm. [Photo/WeChat account: ls-mnews]

Dagangtou town is a core area of the Guyan Huaxiang national 4A-level scenic spot. It is home to the Tongji Weir, a designated heritage irrigation structure by the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage.

Over the past decade, Dagangtou has been building up its brand as a center for photography. It stages various photography activities every year, attracting photographers form home and abroad.

The awe-inspiring Yunhe Terraces outside Chongtou town attract hordes of visitors every year. [Photo/VCG]

For its party, Chongtou town has fascinating natural landscape, such as remarkable agricultural irrigation terraces, bamboo forests and waterfalls. The Yunhe Terraces, in particular, have become a hot spot for photography enthusiasts. They have been rated as an international artist collection and creation base and a national folk photography collection and creation base.

What's more, photography works depicting the Yunhe Terraces have won many awards in global photography competitions.