Delighted visitors interact with macaque monkeys at Xianliang town's macaque park. [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.

But 30 years ago, relations between humans and monkeys in the village were on a knife-edge. Moving from competing with the macaques for resources to developing macaque-featured tourism, the local people have reportedly made some sacrifices.

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

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