A stunning view of Baiyun Mountain Ecological Forest Farm in Lishui, Zhejiang province.  [Photo/Tide News]

Amid the lush greenery of midsummer, Baiyun Mountain Ecological Forest Farm in Lishui, East China's Zhejiang province stands as an example of how natural beauty can become a valuable developmental asset through innovative practices.

Since the national reform of state-owned forest farms in 2012, Baiyun Mountain has transitioned from a closed-off area to a national forest park open year-round. With a forest cover of 96.69 percent and high air quality, it attracts over 1.2 million tourist visits annually.

The forest farm has integrated its rich cultural heritage into the tourism sector. At Baiyun Mountain, the rebuilt Baiyun Temple spotlights local Buddhist culture, while a museum that displays Longquan celadon, Longquan swords, and Qingtian stone carving highlights local crafts. The forest farm hosts over 50 cultural events annually, enhancing both ecological and cultural value.

In collaboration with Zhejiang A&F University, the forest farm has developed a wellness tourism industry, establishing a 33.33-hectare wellness base. This initiative has also spurred the development of rural homestays and agricultural product processing industries in the surrounding villages, boosting local employment and incomes for farmers.

The Baiyun Mountain Ecological Forest Farm is progressing with nearly 1.1 billion yuan ($153 million) in projects, including smart platforms for forest management. These innovations improve efficiency by 40 percent, promising significant advancements in forest stewardship.