Tiantai: Painting a Modern Version of “Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains”

With dense canopy cover offering shade, meandering coastlines, pristine waters abundant with aquatic life, and the melodious sounds of avian species, a noteworthy “ecological performance index” is evident amidst the verdant mountains and transparent waterways of Tian Tai. In 2023, the proportion of days with good air quality reached 98.1%, with an annual mean PM2.5 concentration of 23 micrograms per cubic meter. Compliance rates for county-regulated water quality standards, surface water environmental functional zones, and centralized drinking water supply sources all maintained a 100% adherence level.

As a national model county for ecological civilization construction, a national-level ecological tourism demonstration area, and a national sanitary city, Tian Tai has steadfastly implemented the“Eight-Eight Strategy,”fully embracing the concept that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.” Relying on its rich ecological cultural resources and advantages in green industries, Tian Tai has promoted high-quality economic development and high-level ecological protection in tandem, forging a unique path of ecological civilization construction.

The Tian Tai Department of Ecological Environment will uphold the directives outlined in the Resolution of the Provincial People’s Congress Standing Committee on steadfastly promoting the pilot demonstration of high-level ecological civilization construction. The department will concentrate on optimizing ecological assets, advancing green development pathways, and fostering sustainable environmental stewardship. We strive to create a benchmark for ecological civilization and depict a modern version of Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains’ with Tian Tai characteristics, said Jiang Jianwei, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Director of the Tian Tai Branch of the Municipal Ecological Environment Bureau.

Fighting for a Beautiful Environment
Biodiversity is fundamental to human health and serves as a vital ecological foundation for human sustenance and socio-economic development. In recent years, the ongoing enhancement of Tian Tai’s ecological integrity has led to a proliferation of flora and fauna establishing residency within the region, resulting in a dynamic ecological landscape. Shifeng Creek National Wetland Park and Huading National Forest Park have been designated as the inaugural biodiversity conservation and ecotourism demonstration sites in Taizhou.

A series of ecological data underscores this achievement. Tian Tai pioneered the first comprehensive biodiversity survey of terrestrial flora and fauna within the municipality, increasing the documented wild terrestrial vertebrate species from over 1,400 to 1,600. This includes four nationally protected species and 39 species classified as second-level protected animals. The discovery of a new species, the Huading Scaly-toed Lizard, has been confirmed, and there has been a notable increase in sightings of nationally protected species such as the Baikal Teal and the Great White Pelican.

In terms of wild plants, over 2,500 species have been observed, with two species of nationally protected plants and 35 species of second-level protected plants recorded, along with 113 new records.

Meanwhile, the county has utilized awareness campaigns such as World Wetlands Day, Bird Week, and World Wildlife Conservation Day to strengthen public engagement in conservation efforts. A rise in community-led rescue initiatives for injured avian species has been observed, and clandestine collection of rare wild flora has markedly declined.

Behind the continuous improvement of the ecological environment lies the Tian Tai Branch of the Municipal Ecological Environment Bureau’s insistence on a comprehensive approach to water, air, soil, and waste management, deeply engaging in pollution prevention efforts.

Last year, the county accelerated the construction and renovation of ecological infrastructure, with total investments of 1.66 billion yuan for comprehensive management of the Shifeng Creek watershed and 420 million yuan for water system connectivity and beautiful rural projects, which are almost completed. Projects like the garbage incineration plant, fly ash landfill, and the second phase of the Cangshan sewage treatment plant have been put into operation, achieving zero direct discharge of sewage in five industrial parks and 47 residential communities. The county’s garbage incineration capacity has reached 400 tons per day, kitchen waste treatment capacity 80 tons per day, and sewage treatment capacity 90,000 tons per day, earning the title of Excellent County for Rural Domestic Sewage Treatment in the province.

Concurrently, the county has proactively addressed issues identified through environmental regulatory oversight, steadfastly pursuing the goals of air quality improvement, water conservation, waste management, and soil remediation. It has been designated as one of Zhejiang Province’s inaugural Green Air Demonstration Zones and has received the “Da Yu Ding” award for five consecutive years within the framework of the “Five Waters Co-Governance” initiative. The innovative activated carbon “waste-to-waste” project has been recognized as a model case for the provincial “Waste-Free City” initiative. Additionally, the county has ranked first in the province for two consecutive years in the number of low (zero) carbon pilot towns and has maintained the highest public satisfaction scores regarding ecological environment quality within the city for four consecutive years.

Exploring New Paths for High-Quality Industry
Wearing a “green garment,” it is equally vital to possess a “green ethos.” Hongchou Town, recognized as the “hometown of rubber,” ranks among China’s three leading rubber industry hubs. Nonetheless, the sector faces longstanding challenges in waste gas management and hazardous waste disposal, which have become a “bottleneck” impeding sustainable, high-quality growth. In response, Tian Tai has pioneered an innovative VOCs control strategy termed the “Green Island,” integrating activated carbon processes within a framework of detection—adsorption—transportation—regeneration—recycling. This approach significantly elevates waste gas purification efficiency and markedly reduces hazardous fallouts at the source, thereby delivering both economic gains and environmental compliance.

In recent years, Tian Tai has insisted on low-carbon industrial structure and explored new paths for green development. Based on six leading industries in the county, it has accelerated the pace of green transformation and upgrading, actively implementing actions like “industrial return” and “replacing old with new,” guiding enterprises to transition to emerging industries such as renewable energy, new materials, and health care, and building a higher-level green manufacturing system.

With industry leaders such as Zhejiang Yinlun Machinery Co., Ltd. setting the benchmark, the Tian Tai branch of the Municipal Ecological Environment Bureau has facilitated the transformation of over 70 auxiliary enterprises toward renewable energy adoption. This initiative has resulted in 42 supporting enterprises achieving standardization upgrades from small-scale operations. The deployment of 20 cutting-edge electroplating production lines alone has reclaimed 152 acres of land and reduced annual industrial wastewater discharge by more than 90,000 tons, effectively mitigating the previously prevalent issues of fragmentation, disorderly operations, and environmental pollution within the sector.

In August last year, the Tian Tai Branch of the Municipal Ecological Environment Bureau formed a team of experts from the Municipal Environmental Science Institute and internal business backbones to conduct comprehensive inspections of 18 listed and prospective listed companies in the county. After a month of in-depth assistance, 181 issues were identified, and the expert team provided “prescriptions” to help companies comprehensively improve their environmental management levels.

“We believed our environmental compliance was effective, but this technical audit not only identified previously unnoticed environmental hazards but also offered practical solutions for remediation,” stated Hong Yongqiang, Environmental Manager at Zhejiang Yinlun Machinery Co., Ltd. This environmental consultancy service is regarded as a strategic enhancement for the company’s sustainability initiatives.

Tian Tai is rich in medicinal herbs, with over 30 varieties of local medicinal materials, among which the three most famous are Dendrobium, Atractylodes, and Polygonatum.

To effectively conserve and optimize regional botanical pharmacopoeia resources, the county has actively advanced sustainable agricultural practices, including habitat conservation, ecological viability assessments, preservation of indigenous ecosystems, and semi-wild cultivation methods. It has standardized the cultivation and management protocols for local medicinal herbs, expanding the integrated value chain encompassing cultivation, processing, marketing, service provision, and health promotion. This strategy has established a resilient, eco-friendly pathway toward comprehensive health industry development and shared economic prosperity. Currently, the county boasts over 23,000 acres of traditional Chinese medicinal plant cultivation, producing approximately 2,400 tons with an aggregate output value approaching 500 million yuan.

Connecting Green Resources for a Beautiful New Landscape

“The spring breeze cannot compare to your contribution of flourishing greenery! It’s not just about the greenery itself, but also about cultivating this verdant environment!”… The poetic expressions reflect the public’s aspiration for a sustainable and lush ecological environment. While the natural beauty of blue skies, verdant landscapes, and pristine waters is often taken for granted, their loss can be irreversible. Tian Tai Mountain recognizes this vital truth and leverages its extensive ecological and cultural assets to promote environmentally conscious regional development, establishing a new, harmonious landscape across the area. Through the development of the Tian Tai Mountain 5A Scenic Area, it has enhanced the aesthetic appeal of key zones such as Guozhi, Shiliang, Huading, and Tongbai, and refined rural tourism itineraries like Shifeng’s origin and Hanshan’s sacred hideaway, fostering an ecological tourism community enshrined by mountains and water.

With inherent aesthetic appeal, every locale showcases picturesque landscapes. Tian Tai has effectively integrated natural and cultural assets—mountains, rivers, forests, fields, lakes, towns, and villages—ensuring comprehensive representation of scenic regions. Tian Tai Mountain National Park has been designated as one of the third batch of provincial “Large Garden”shining pearls, maintaining a consistent ranking among the top 100 counties nationally for overall tourism development over three consecutive years.  

Ecological sustainability forms the cornerstone of a prosperous community. In addition to improving ecological quality, Tian Tai has enhanced urban aesthetics through strategic planning, meticulously designing the banks of Shifeng Creek and historic urban districts to foster harmonious integration of production, habitation, and ecological functions, thereby advancing ecological stewardship and shared socioeconomic growth.

In the new urban districts, connected via Shifeng Creek, a systematic urban spatial planning framework has been implemented, including the removal of 100,000 square meters of illegal structures, the comprehensive management of 71.03 kilometers of waterway systems, and the development of 14.6 kilometers of pedestrian pathways. Additionally, over 900,000 square meters of greenery along Shifeng Creek has been rehabilitated, and nearly 150,000 square meters of farmland has been converted into wetlands, positively impacting over 70,000 residents. The ecological branding of the “urban living room” has catalyzed diverse economic sectors such as construction, corporate headquarters, and night-time economy, with land premiums in the lakefront zone exceeding 30%, enabling enhanced reinvestment in ecological restoration and green infrastructure. Meanwhile, in the historic urban core, efforts have centered on organizing and extending traditional street layouts, excavating and highlighting cultural landmarks, and systematically advancing the revitalization of the old town to improve overall urban livability.

In rural development initiatives, guided by the comprehensive aesthetic philosophy of “one household, one scene; one village, one painting; one town, one landscape; one city, one scenery,” efforts have been undertaken to advance the three key projects: “three renovations and one demolition,” achieving zero direct sewage discharge, and implementing waste segregation. This has transformed micro-landscapes into cohesive regional aesthetics. Currently, nine provincial-level model towns, 63 exemplary villages of the new era, and 211 Grade A and above scenic villages have been established.

Building a Carbon Barrier and Sharing Natural Beauty
During the previous year’s Tian Tai Maple Festival, the bamboo tube rice crafted from “Nanshan aromatic rice” cultivated in terraced paddy fields drew significant tourism attention. Zheng Guang, Chairman of Zhejiang Changming Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., commended, “The organic rice here exhibits an exceptionally sweet flavor.” Nanshan Township is celebrated for its historic village and extensive terraced agriculture, with the bamboo tube rice produced from drought-tolerant rice varieties cultivated on these terraced landscapes.

“The cultivation of rice in terraced paddy fields constitutes our flagship agricultural sector, guiding local communities toward sustainable, low-carbon economic development,” said Yu Kai, Deputy Secretary of the Nanshan Township Party Committee and Township Head. The township has committed to an ecological-centric and green prosperity development strategy, utilizing its extensive terraced farmland resources to pioneer the “Tian Tai County Terraced Carbon Sequestration Public Welfare Framework,” aiming to establish an integrated carbon sink public service mechanism that benefits the community.

Participants in the terraced carbon sequestration initiative annually acquire carbon sequestration services and agricultural commodities from designated operators through publicly funded support, formalizing agreements that specify respective rights and obligations. Concurrently, enterprises actively implementing green and low-carbon development strategies participating in the program are accorded preferential access to land, energy, and pollutant emission rights under equal conditions, thereby fostering their competitive advantage. In 2022, a scholarly expert visited the locality, and pilot cultivation of “Nanshan rice fragrance” in the lotus-shaped terraced fields garnered positive reception. By 2023, this eco-friendly, low-carbon rice, renowned for its aroma, has disseminated across Tian Tai, attracting numerous listed companies, leading industrial manufacturing firms, social organizations, and emerging local producers eager to endorse and purchase the product.

Relying on the county’s Two Mountains Cooperative, the Feifeng Qiang Village Company was established to revitalize 410 acres of terraced fields in collaboration with the Zhejiang Provincial Environmental Science Institute, developing low-carbon planting technology for terraced drought-resistant rice, producing 100,000 kilograms of low-carbon rice annually, generating an additional income of 1.5 million yuan for three village collectives and benefiting over 326 farming households with over 1 million yuan in income.

From initial small-scale experimental cultivation to large-scale commercial promotion, the rising popularity of “Nanshan rice fragrance” exemplifies a successful application of the regional development strategy leveraging terraced agricultural practices as a public welfare mechanism to enhance environmental carbon sequestration and benefit the community.

“Green” initiatives are shaping the future while the path of “carbon” continues to evolve. Tian Tai is proactively advancing pilot reform efforts for the provincial ecological product value realization mechanism, as well as the integration of pollutant discharge licensing with greenhouse gas control systems. This includes the establishment of the Tian Tai “Two Mountains Bank.”

The innovative closed-loop treatment model for waste activated carbon, termed “waste-to-waste,” has the potential to reduce carbon emissions from activated carbon usage by approximately 80%. This approach not only significantly lowers carbon footprints but also facilitates a 60% reduction in environmental management costs for enterprises generating waste.

Tian Tai Mountain is not only a famous mountain and water destination but also a cultural holy mountain. The county has established new grassroots ecological and environmental governance mechanisms such as “Harmony Consultation” and “Harmony Mediation,” continuously expanding the creation of “green cells” like energy-saving agencies, green families, green schools, green communities, and green travel, guiding the entire county to form a conscious ecological culture of green and low-carbon practices.

With aspirations guiding our efforts, actions will undoubtedly pave the way to success. In the picturesque landscape of Tian Tai, characterized by its lush waters and mountains, the pursuit of ecological optimization remains unwavering, and green development continues to flourish. This dynamic progress vividly illustrates a harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.

Translator：金蒙蒙 Louis