The picturesque landscape of Huzhou in Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]

Huzhou in Zhejiang province is integrating its natural offerings and cultural resources to create theme-based scenic routes with local characteristics, aiming to boost cultural tourism and drive economic growth. The city has created 11 provincial-level scenic routes.

Since 2021, Huzhou has carried out a comprehensive initiative to improve the ecological environment and enhance the scenic appeal of both urban and rural areas, laying a solid foundation for creating new themed scenic routes.

In 2023, the city launched a promotional plan for its scenic routes, integrating cultural and tourism offerings to foster shared prosperity. The first three provincial-level routes, such as one themed "Lakeside Scenery" featuring the natural beauty of Taihu Lake, have become iconic.

Huzhou's scenic routes focus on revitalizing historical spaces and upgrading tourism offerings.

The "micro-renovation" of unused spaces, like old factories and warehouses, creates unique nodes along the routes. For instance, "Buguli" in Lianshi town, Nanxun district, transformed from a grain warehouse, ranks as a bona fide cultural hub and now receives 2,000 visits a day.

Other revitalized spaces offer interactive experiences and themed dining, blending tradition with modernity.

The ultimate goal is shared prosperity. The routes attract tourists, turning local landscapes into thriving businesses. The "Ancient Charm of Jiegu" route in Changxing county, for example, has drawn over a million visits in the two years since its launch.

Huzhou's efforts demonstrate how scenic beauty can translate into tangible economic benefits, increasing local residents' income and fostering sustainable development.