Terraced fields in Chongtou town, Yunhe county, Lishui [Photo/Xinhua]

Farmers are busy spring ploughing terraced fields in Yunhe county, Lishui, in East China's Zhejiang province.

Located in Chongtou town, Yunhe terraced fields, which date back more than 1,000 years, are not only a national wetland park but also a cultural heritage of Chinese agriculture.

Last year, Chongtou town was listed as one of Lishui's demonstration units for realizing the value of ecological products. The town is now exploring new paths and models for realizing the value of those products in addition to revenue from tourism tickets.

To unlock the development potential of the terraced fields, Chongtou town plans to promote more than 30 ecological engineering projects with investment of 1.5 billion yuan ($213 million).

The upgrading of Yunhe terraced fields to a 5A-level scenic spot is the plan's highlight project. A first-class tourist reception center and a museum about terraced fields are under construction. The Guanyun cableway is expected to open in July.

Relying on the characteristics of Yunhe terraced fields, new projects highlighting ecological value have become a hot spot for investment in Chongtou town. At the beginning of this year, the Meizhu camp base, which allows people to watch the stars, started formal operations. The base will increase the fixed income of Chongtou's Meizhu village by 150,000 yuan per year.

Moreover, the market value of 10 abandoned ancient villages in and around the core area of Yunhe terraced fields has increased due to protection and restoration, and the development of terrace tourism.