Tourists visit a rural tourism scenic spot in the Changchun Jingyue National High-tech Industrial Development Zone. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Changchun Jingyue National High-tech Industrial Development Zone -- located in Changchun, capital city of Northeast China's Jilin province -- is investing big money in order to beautify its villages and boost economic development.

It has invested 1 billion yuan ($149.2 million) in improving the environment of its villages, as it moves to integrate its urban-rural development.

It has taken the lead in making sure each village household has access to town-level roads and full coverage of rural street lighting and toilets in residential housing. In addition, it has created a number of ecological and livable beautiful villages.

At present, there are 118 new agricultural business entities in the zone, providing more than 5,000 jobs.

The integrated urban-rural development has brought a fresh look and impetus to the zone.

One example of this is Youhao village, which this year was listed as a pilot project for urban-rural integrated development.

The village has invested 100 million yuan in projects for seas of flowers. Following land transfers, it has established three seas of flowers with a wide range of plants.

  Arural tourism scenic spot in the zone. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The village is committed to the development ofseas of flowers, Chinese herbal medicine planting and rural tourism.

Although primarily used for ornamental purposes, flower seeds and Chinese herbal medicines can also be harvested and recycled for sale to increase the industry's revenue.

At present, the three projects can provide more than 200 jobs for villagers, effectively solving the problem of rural surplus labor. Youhao village has been developed as a cultural and tourism experience complex.

Elsewhere, Manshanli national research, learning and practice education base -- located in Xinhu town in the zone -- has also been innovating in its development, which has spurred change in the villages.

It is creating a natural environmental industry chain, whose influence is radiating out to surrounding rural areas. Since it started operating in 2018, the base has promoted the integrated development of the primary, secondary and tertiary industries through scientific innovation, cultural innovation and agricultural innovation.

After land transfers, farmers work there are also employed as agricultural teachers. This not only broadens the channels for farmers to obtain employment and increases their incomes, but also adds new momentum to the development of the rural economy.

Through land and farm circulation and the restructuring of the rural industry, the base has promoted the development of the collective economy of villages, employed more than 200 farmers and increased their average annual incomes by 40,000 yuan.