HUANGSHAN, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Dotted with many fish ponds, Xiuning County in east China's Anhui Province has created a distinctive agricultural scenery. This landscape showcases the harmonious coexistence of villages and fish ponds within its beautiful natural environment.
Xiuning County is renowned for being the birthplace of springwater fish breeding. The local villagers have a rich tradition of breeding fish in the natural springs nestled among the mountains. In recognition of its significance, the breeding system and its associated techniques were officially acknowledged as valuable cultural heritages in Chinese agriculture in 2015.
As a part of the local ecological industry, the practice of breeding fish in springwater has become well-integrated into the natural environment, resulting in an increase in the income of villagers. In recent years, Xiuning County has collaborated with scientific research institutes to enhance the growth of the springwater fish industry. By focusing on the integrated development of the springwater fish industry and tourism, the county has made advancements in the techniques used for production, sales, and quality assurance of springwater fish. Moreover, there has been an expansion in the range of fish species that are bred.
This aerial photo taken on Sept. 13, 2023 shows the upstream of the Xin'an River in Xiuning County of Huangshan, east China's Anhui Province. (Photo by Fan Chengzhu/Xinhua)
This aerial photo taken on July 14, 2023 shows an ancient fish pond in Xiuning County of Huangshan, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)
A villager feeds fish raised in a fish pond in Xiuning County of Huangshan, east China's Anhui Province, July 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)
This photo taken on July 14, 2023 shows springwater fish in Banqiao Village, Xiuning County of Huangshan, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)
This aerial photo taken on July 14, 2023 shows a fish pond in Xiuning County of Huangshan, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)
This photo taken on Sept. 13, 2023 shows fish ponds in Banqiao Village, Xiuning County of Huangshan, east China's Anhui Province. (Photo by Fan Chengzhu/Xinhua)
This aerial photo taken on July 14, 2023 shows an ancient fish pond in Xiuning County of Huangshan, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)
A villager catches springwater fish with a net in Banqiao Village, Xiuning County of Huangshan, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 13, 2023. (Photo by Fan Chengzhu/Xinhua)
This aerial photo taken on July 14, 2023 shows a breeding base for springwater fish in Xiuning County of Huangshan, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)
This photo taken on July 14, 2023 shows an interior view of a museum themed on springwater fish in Banqiao Village, Xiuning County of Huangshan, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)
