Zhangjiagang in East China’s Jiangsu province has made a great deal of progress since it started rectifying its rural environment in 2011, according to local officials.

So far, the city has renovated 264 villages, improving the living standards of more than 21,300 households. Out of total, 15 villages have won provincial recognition.

The local government renovated old residential buildings and carried out new plans for public spaces.

A number of functional areas were set up, including industrial cluster areas, cultural experience areas, leisure farms, orchards, fishing parks and high-efficient agricultural demonstration zones.

Some villages have formed industrial clusters combining the aquaculture, agriculture and tourism industries -- diversifying the local economic structure and increasing income for villagers.

Niuqiao village [Photo/WeChat account: zjgcitynews]

Jiannong village [Photo/WeChat account: zjgcitynews]

Fuhai village [Photo/WeChat account: zjgcitynews]