A camping site at the seaside in Shengsi county, Zhoushan, Zhejiang province. [Photo/wifizs.cn]

Shengsi county in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province has been shortlisted as a national key area for developing leisure agriculture, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs announced on Nov 28.

Sixty counties and districts in the country made the list.

Shengsi authorities have in recent years been making efforts to upgrade rural landscapes, foster the homestay industry, and develop rural tourism. The county is currently home to one national beautiful and leisure village, five national sea fishing bases, seven provincial demonstration towns for beautiful landscapes and well-appointed facilities, and seven provincial historical and cultural villages.

It has also unveiled two boutique rural tours.

Creating national key areas for developing agritourism is meant to promote rural vitalization and the high-quality development of leisure agriculture. The listed counties need to meet criteria such as natural and cultural resources, infrastructure, and related industries, as well as planning, policies and management systems.