Yanqing hosts a forum on ecology and rural planning on Sept. 26. (Photo courtesy of Yanqing Publicity Dept.)

Yanqing will lure top-notch planners from Beijing to help develop itself into a place with pleasant living environment, in the wake of China's campaign to build a beautiful countryside to increase the sense of gain and happiness of all rural residents, according to a recent ecology and rural planning forum held in Yanqing on September 26.

Surrounded by rolling hills and dotted by picturesque lakes, northwestern Beijing's Yanqing district is reputed as downtown Beijing's backyard garden and summer resort. It boasts a forest coverage rate of 59.28 percent and has ten forest parks. Yanqing was honored as China's "Healthy District" last year for its endeavor in lifting the quality of homes, the ecosystem, well-being, public health and access to natural resources.

Yanqing's Vice Governor Wu Shijiang said the district will raise its level of urban-rural healthy and sustainable development while focusing on ecological system conservation. The idea of "Green mountains and clear water are equal to mountains of gold and silver" serves a guideline in local planning and development, said Wu.

Participants from 20-odd planning and designing units shared insights at the forum on how to develop villages and upgrade rural living and working environment through policy analyses and successful case study.

Shan Zha Xiao Yuan, or Hawthorn Yard, is one of the successful farm-stay brands in rural Yanqing run by Recluse Lifestyle in Countryside Group, which develops rural tourism by utilizing and renovating the old, abandoned houses and yards in rural Yanqing into the current farm-stay hotels. In CEO Chen Changchun's words, these farm-stays win popularity and gain commercial success by featuring service of rural communities, fresh air, friendly folk, nature walk and a slower pace of life, which urbanites prefer in their leisure time.

More ideas and wisdoms from professional planners, social organizations and Yanqing's local residents are welcomed and encouraged in Yanqing's rural development, said Wu at the forum.