A rich, rolling carpet of green in the valley leads up to Dayang Mountain in Jinyun county, Lishui. [Photo/WeChat account: wxlishui]

The authorities in East China's Zhejiang province recently released a list of the best forest-covered and most pristine green areas in 2020, with a total of 14 selected, including two in the Lishui city administrative region – Dayang Mountain in Jinyun county and the Ruoliao Scenic Area in Songyang county.

To qualify, the areas needed to have a forest coverage rate of no less than 70 percent, with a more than 90 percent rate for days with good or excellent air quality.

In addition to the requirements for their environment, they also needed to have relatively complete hospitality facilities including hotels and homestays, health services and other business areas.

Inspiring landscape greets visitors to the Ruoliao Scenic Area in Songyang county, Lishui. [Photo/WeChat account: wxlishui]

In recent years, leveraging its abundant forest resources, green environment and its own special  culture, Lishui has been developing its forest health resorts and healthcare industry.

To date, it has established six national forest parks, eight provincial forest parks, three provincial characteristic industry demonstration counties and one provincial characteristic industry town, among others.