Journalists from major news websites across the country visited on Monday the Penghu village of Jiangning District, which is hailed as a typical model in building the socialist new countryside.

A sculpture in Penghu Village

The village, located on the border between Jiangsu and Anhui provinces, used to be called "Siberia in Jiangning District" due to its remote location and inconvenient transportation.

However, things have changed greatly in the village since the 1990s. Clean concrete roads lined with green trees on both sides extend far until the end of the village, with beautiful and elegant villas standing amid the green fields.

A pavillion in Penghu Village

By the end of 2005, the village reported a net income of 5.28 million yuan (US$660,000), with a per capita annual disposable income of 8,500 yuan (US$1,062), higher than the provincial level of 6,250 yuan (US$ 782).

According to the village's party secretary Sheng Congxi, who was awarded the honor of National Model Worker because of his contributions to building the village, 95% of the more than 1,000 villagers are covered with medical insurance and pension.

Community library in Penghu Village

Enjoying the convenience of modern facilities, such as piped water and gas, cable TV, and telephone, farmers living in the village say they are living a better life than the urban residents.