Grateful residents

Zhang Zhiqi, the academy deputy director, and his colleagues have strived to restore the wetland, such as by building dikes to divert water to the lakes.

He said the wetland relies mainly on self-restoration, adding that since the relocation project was launched, the area has benefited from the reduced human presence.

As they walk through the township, Zhang and Liu, the local officials, are often thanked by smiling residents who have been relocated.

Zhang said,"My friends and relatives said they wished they could have moved earlier."

Lu Deyan is among those enjoying the benefits of relocation. Now living 20 km from his old home, he spent a year building a four-story, 21-bedroom hotel and another year completing the interior decoration work. He invested all his savings in the business, which opened in 2017.

"Business in the first year was amazing. I earned 500,000 yuan－way beyond my wildest dreams," Lu said.

Now, he is worried about how to spend so much money.

"I used to travel by bus and slow train to do seasonal jobs for a living, but now I take airplanes and high-speed trains, and have money to spend. I used to live in a shabby house and had no savings. Now, I live in a hotel," he said.

Lu opened savings accounts for both his grandsons and deposits 100,000 yuan in them every year.

"My wife and I have been through very difficult times. I hope my grandsons don't have to toil all their days. They should have a better start and receive more education than their grandfather and grandmother," he said.

Lu travels in his spare time, and during slack periods sometimes closes the hotels and restaurants he now owns.

In 2017, he spent the winter in subtropical Hainan province, a popular vacation destination, and a year later traveled to Jiangxi and Hunan provinces. Last year, he visited the Yangtze River Delta area, including Shanghai and Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province.

He is also considering traveling overseas. He recently applied for a passport and plans to visit a different country each year before retiring in eight years time, when he turns 60.

Meanwhile, Dajiuhu National Wetland Park is attracting tourists.

One visitor surnamed Tian, who declined to give his full name, said during his third trip to the area, "The beauty of the lakes and mountains brings me back," adding that he enjoys seeing nature with his family.

Tian, from Xiaogan, Hubei, drove for about seven hours with his wife, child, parents and parents-in-law to visit the park, where he and his wife lived before the relocation plan was drawn up.

"We could see the lakes as soon as we stepped out of the homestays, which was very convenient," he said, adding that the quality of accommodations in the township is better.

Tian said he understood the relocation plan was necessary to ensure sustainable development, adding that this will guarantee that future generations enjoy stunning views of Shennongjia.