Local villagers in Yixing are encouraged to build attractive gardens. [Photo/wxrb.com]

Yixing has been encouraging villagers to build attractive gardens, with competitions held since 2016 offering prizes to the best gardeners.

This year, 20 families in Zhangzhu town received cash awards of 20,000 yuan ($2,865), 30,000 and 50,000 yuan on July 29.

"The competitions for gardens help improve our living environment a lot," said Zhang Min, Party secretary of Zhangzhu town. "In addition, these well-managed gardens become new features for rural tourism."

A private garden built by local villagers in Yixing [Photo/wxrb.com]

Su Shikang, from Wudong village in Zhangzhu, built a pavilion in the southwest corner of the courtyard of his new house, which is surrounded by a small pond, stones, bamboo and flowers.

"Many neighbors and visitors have asked if they could come in and take a look," Su said with pride.

According to Zhang, over 600 villagers have taken part in the competition to restore and improve their gardens, and over 80 of them have been awarded as pilot ones.

With these beautiful gardens, Zhangzhu plans to build a tour route linking them with Shanjuan Cave and Longchishan Bicycle Park, aiming to attract more visitors with local customs and practices, and wonderful rural views.