A farmer from Xiuzhou district, Jiaxing draws a painting about the harvest. [Photo provided to ezhejiang.gov.cn]

Originating in 1983, farmers' paintings have become a gold name card of Xiuzhou district, Jiaxing in its cultural interaction with other countries.

The tranquil life in water towns of Jiangnan (region south of the Yangtze River) provides inspiration for farmers to conceive paintings which are filled with passion toward life.

In the past 30 years, the district has been working to build a painters' town to well preserve and further promote the folk art.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China has approved the establishment of China's only Art Center for Farmers' Paintings in Xiuzhou and approved the district's hosting of the Art Festival of Farmers' Painting.

From conceiving artworks on paper to creating artistic commodities, from farmers' personal entertainment to a rising cultural industry, Xiuzhou farmers' paintings are gradually being introduced to the global market and have been given more commercial value.

People admire the farmers' paintings from Xiuzhou district, Jiaxing. [Photo provided to ezhejiang.gov.cn]

A painting created by Zhu Qinhua, a farmer from Xiuzhou district, Jiaxing [Photo provided to ezhejiang.gov.cn]