Sitting just 6 kilometers north of Fenghua district in Ningbo, eastern China's Zhejiang province, Tengtou village is home to fewer than 1,000 registered residents. Yet this small village of no bigger than 2 square kilometers has become a widely cited example of how rural communities can balance livability, economic vitality, and social harmony.
Green development renews village
Much of what makes Tengtou livable today is deeply rooted in its decades-long commitment to environmental protection. For the village's residents, a clean and orderly living environment is not simply a byproduct of development, but the very foundation upon which development is built.
Local folk rhymes once described Tengtou as a place where fields were uneven, roads were rough, and grain yields were meager. "When I was young, flies were everywhere, garbage piled up along the roads, and drainage ditches overflew after heavy rain," recalled Fu Deming, deputy director of the village's environmental committee. "Walking barefoot through the village often meant risking infection."
Changes began in 1993, when Tengtou established one of China's earliest village-level environmental committees. The committee was given veto power over projects that posed pollution risks, a rule that has remained in place for more than three decades. During that time, the village turned away more than 50 proposed projects involving over 400 million yuan ($57.88 million) in investment, including several that promised strong economic returns but failed to meet environmental standards.
In addition, Tengtou has invested about 210 million yuan in three major initiatives, known locally as the "blue sky, clear water, and green land" projects. These efforts led to the construction of facilities such as a village-level air quality monitoring station and an ecological wastewater treatment plant, helping raise the village's greenery coverage to 67%.
Through decades of effort, it has become a well-known eco-friendly village both in China and abroad, earning more than 70 national-level and international honors including being named among the "Global 500 Roll of Honor for Environmental Achievement" and the "World Top 10 Harmonious Villages."
Environmental improvements also paved the way for better living conditions. Over the past decade, rows of modern homes have replaced older housing in central Tengtou, turning the long-held goal of providing every household with a new home into reality. In March 2023, the village launched a "future community" project, adding 118 apartment units, 181 village homes, and numerous parks, along with a community service center that brings daily amenities closer to residents. Housing a farmers' market, a supermarket, and spaces for cultural and recreational activities, the center has helped reshape not only the village's appearance, but also the pace and quality of everyday life.
Industries driving economic growth
Livability alone, however, is not enough to secure a village's future. In Tengtou, environmental protection has gone hand in hand with efforts to build industries that create jobs and secure long-term incomes for residents.
For years, the village has pursued an eco-driven development path that aligns local industries with environmental priorities. Tourism was the first sector to take shape.
Green fields and clean waterways proved to be the village's strongest draw. In 2019, Tengtou removed the ticket fees for its 5A-level scenic area, a move that initially drew skepticism but later helped energize the local economy by boosting homestays, agricultural product sales, and related businesses. In 2025, the village recorded a tourism revenue of 131 million yuan and received nearly 900,000 visitors.
Building on tourism, Tengtou has developed higher value-added industries. Through its investment platform, the village has taken controlling or minority stakes in a range of emerging sectors, further strengthening its economic base. One example is its 185-million-yuan investment in Zhejiang Meiyuan New Materials Co. in 2019. The company’s engineering materials quickly gained market traction, with annual output value reaching about 1.5 billion yuan and profits exceeding 100 million yuan.
Today, the village has developed six pillar industries centered on eco-friendly growth. In 2025, Tengtou recorded a gross output value of 13.54 billion yuan and profits and taxes totaling 1.02 billion yuan. Its collective enterprises have created nearly 6,100 jobs, pushing average annual income among villagers to about 89,000 yuan.
Passing down values and traditions
Beyond livability and economic security, Tengtou has placed equal emphasis on social harmony. A prime example of this enduring commitment is the care of elderly residents, which is a long-standing tradition of respect and support in the village.
On Feb. 4, a gateball match brought together elderly residents at a village sports ground. Among them was Fu Bainian, now in his 70s, a former agricultural technician who became a nationally certified gateball referee after retirement. With support from the village committee, he later helped establish a gateball team that has drawn many older villagers.
Data shows that of Tengtou's nearly 900 registered residents, about 30% are aged 60 or above. To ensure a high standard of living for its seniors, the village has built a comprehensive support system, including social pension schemes, cooperative medical insurance, and a monthly welfare allowance of 1,500 yuan for elderly residents.
In 2019, villagers collectively donated 13.07 million yuan to establish Zhejiang province's first village-level senior care fund. Income generated by the fund is used for medical checkups, holiday visits, and daily support services. The village has also developed dedicated cultural and sports facilities, and introduced professional service providers to enrich seniors' recreational options.
Education has also been given priority as part of the village's long-term vision. For the last 35 years, Tengtou has awarded scholarships and family education prizes through its Talent Development Fund, distributing more than 2 million yuan in total. While the village had only one technical college graduate three decades ago, it has since produced three doctoral degree holders, 31 master's graduates, and more than 100 university graduates, fostering a strong culture of respect for learning and knowledge.
"Rural revitalization rests on livability, economic opportunities, and social harmony," said Fu Pingjun, Party secretary and head of Tengtou village. "Building a village that is both livable and economically vibrant requires solid infrastructure and public services, while fostering industries that provide jobs and incomes."
At the same time, cultivating a culture of environmental awareness and shared values is essential to the spirit of the community, Fu added.