Pathways bring nature to big cities

"The city government has done a good job investing large sums of money to construct the pathways that have helped further improve the city's environment," Huang said.

Most of the network was once wasteland, but flowers now bloom everywhere, he said.

Ma of the city's forestry and landscaping bureau said the paths have helped raise the air quality and optimize the environment and ecology in Guangzhou.

According to Ma's bureau, the forested belts can absorb more than 590,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide and release more than 440,000 tons of oxygen annually.

"Meanwhile, by improving interpersonal relationships and promoting fitness, the paths help spread urban civilization to rural areas and boost the rural economy," Ma said.

According to the provincial government, pathway networks have expanded to 18,019 kilometers throughout cities in the province.