Once a less developed area, Nanping in Southeast China's Fujian province is now gaining huge profits from its well-preserved ecological environment.

The city, where Fujian's largest river – the Minjiang - originates, has long been renowned for lush mountains and clear water.

Opton, a domestic optical glass provider, chose to set up a factory in Nanping in 2010. According to Lu Zhang, the company's president, their choice of Nanping over other cities was predominantly because of its good environment.

Also by virtue of its well-protected ecology Nanping has grown to be the largest ganoderma production base in the world.

Rural tourism is growing rapidly in the area thanks to its unspoiled natural environment. For instance, in the city's Nanyuanling village, villagers have renovated their houses into restaurants and homestays. In 2016, about 187,000 people visited the village, bringing with them 26 million yuan ($3.9 million).

Nanping,in Southeast China's Fujian province, has long been renowned for lush mountains and clear water. [Photo/Xinhua]