Lishui city in East China's Zhejiang province recently carried out a "micro" upgrading program of its traditional villages -- under which it made full use of environmentally friendly materials and minimized human intervention to improve their exteriors -- according to local media.

The city's Liandu district took the lead to implement the program and shared some experiences about it with others to help undertake their own upgrades at a briefing.

The district has completed an upgrade involving 74 projects with a total investment of 135 million yuan ($20.74 million) and eased more than 1,000 problems in 16 areas.

"We use local materials and green plants as much as possible. Localization and the original environment should be placed at the top of the agenda in the upgrade program," said Zhang Huiqing, director of the city's garden management center.

"It should also highlight local characteristics," Zhang added.

This year, in the wake of major improvements to garbage collection and classification, as well as the operation and management of public toilets and sewage treatment, the city will also carry out "micro" upgrades on traditional rural buildings, courtyards and homestay facilities, among other things.

Through the upgrade program, the city plans to establish 600 garden villages by 2022.