A macaque park is located in the mountains of Xianliang town in Qingyuan county. [Photo/lsnews.com.cn]

In Xianliang town -- located in eastern Qingyuan county in Lishui, in East China's Zhejiang province -- macaque monkeys are regarded as 'indigenous residents' that have lived there for more than 100 years, according to local wildlife conservationists.  

They say that moving from competing with macaques for resources to developing macaque-featured tourism, the local people have found a new way forwards in ecological development.

The town relocated one of its villages to make room for the macaques in 2017. Now a macaque park has been established.

Macaques now live peacefully alongside local people in Xianliang town. [Photo/lsnews.com.cn]

Wu Mingfei, the administrator of the macaque park, has established a deep affection for the creatures.

"All the food given to the macaques should be sterilized so they won't suffer from any upset stomachs," Wu said.

"The young macaques should also be taken care of at night so that they will not be bullied by their elders," Wu added. "It's like taking care of my own children."

In recent years, Xianliang town began to use its macaques to build a tourist brand. At the same time, the locals began consciously to protect them.

Now, with more and more tourists coming to see the macaques, the local homestays and restaurants are become increasingly popular.

"The macaques have attracted many tourists and our business is getting better and better. I want to thank these macaques," said Wu Baogui, who runs a homestay near the macaque park.