"Residents used to leave the area to sell chickens and vegetables, among other produce," he said. "Now, tourists consume all such produce."

In 2002, Zixi began closing polluting companies while refusing new investment in traditional heavy manufacturing industry. Tourism contributes 65 percent of the county's GDP, according to the Zixi government.

Meanwhile, the county has stepped up efforts to improve the accountability system for environmental protection.

After an ecological appraisal system was introduced in 2002, the county published a plan in 2016 to audit officials about to leave office for their performance regarding natural resources.

To date, 18 officials have been removed from their posts or demoted after failing to pass the audit. More than 30 officials have been promoted for good performance in environmental conservation.

The natural resources audit was included in a decision taken at the third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee in 2013, which also vowed to establish a lifelong responsibility system for damage caused to the ecosystem.

Li Ximing, head of Zixi's audit bureau, said, "Guided by the ecological appraisal and audit, cadres' awareness of ecological conservation and green development has been greatly improved."

Wang Jian in Nanchang and Ma Zhenhuan in Hangzhou contributed to this story.