Chongqing — Peach blossoms and late cherry flowers are reaching full bloom at Jiuquhe Wetland Park in Chongqing's Liangjiang New Area, where visitors gather along the riverbanks to enjoy the spring scenery.
“I didn’t expect to see such large areas of flowers along the riverside,” said Yu Shuai, a local resident visiting with his family. “The flowers and the river together make it a great place for photos.”
The park is among 25 sites included in Chongqing’s first list of municipal-level “Micro-Wetlands+” projects recently released by the city. The sites include areas focused on ecological conservation, ecological restoration, and wellness-related industries, and many have become popular destinations for spring outings.
A small wetland in Lieshen Village, Liangping District, Chongqing. (Photo/Xiong Wei)
In Lieshen Village in Zhushan Town, Liangping District, terraced micro-wetlands are spread across the surrounding hillsides. In spring, peach, plum and pear trees bloom across the area. The landscape marks a major change from the past.
“This area used to be a mining pit with highly acidic water and heavy metal pollution,” said Chen Zongshou, Party secretary of Lieshen Village. “The environmental problems once caused serious difficulties for local residents.”
Beginning in the 1950s, Lieshen Village developed a mining-based economy supported by local resources. Over time, more than 50 enterprises operated in the area, including gypsum mines, lime kilns, coal mines and paper mills. At its peak, the village's collective income exceeded 3 million yuan (about $415,000), ranking among the highest in Liangping.
But the economic boom came with environmental costs. Chen recalled that before restoration began, dust covered much of the village, hillsides were bare and rivers were heavily polluted. Citrus trees planted by villagers struggled to bear fruit.
In 2017, the village shut down five gypsum mines and began ecological restoration with support from local forestry authorities. Using the natural terrain, including streams, terraces and ponds, engineers reshaped collapsed mining areas and created a network of small wetlands.
The project formed a group of terraced micro-wetlands designed to support wildlife habitats and improve water quality. Around the wetlands, trees such as peach, plum and pear were planted to combine ecological restoration with seasonal tourism.
Through the restoration program, about 54,000 square meters (581,000 square feet) of land has been reclaimed, and the landscape has gradually recovered.
Elsewhere in the municipality, wetlands are also attracting spring visitors.
At Meixin Wine Town in Fuling District, rapeseed flowers bloom along small streams, forming wide yellow fields across the countryside.
“You don’t have to travel far to experience rural scenery,” said Wang Peipei, who visited the site with her family during a recent sunny day. “It’s relaxing, and you can see how the environment has improved.”
Nearby Paotong Village in Linshi Subdistrict has combined rapeseed flower fields with tourism activities. Visitors can view the fields while riding a cable car that passes above the surrounding hills and farmland.
This year, the scenic area upgraded its 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) cable car loop into a spring sightseeing route, offering visitors views of the flower fields and rural landscape from above.
Rapeseed flowers and wetlands at Meixin Red Wine Town in Fuling District, Chongqing. (Photo/Courtesy of the source)
The seasonal tourism has also created new income opportunities for local residents. Some villagers have converted their homes into guesthouses for visitors.
“After seeing the flowers, tourists can stay overnight and try local farm dishes,” said Liu Yuqin, a resident of Linshi Town. “I expect to earn about 40,000 to 50,000 yuan this spring.”
Across Chongqing, officials say micro-wetlands are increasingly supporting eco-tourism, environmental education and rural industries while improving ecological conditions.
At Mixiang Lake Micro-Wetland in Tieshanping Forest Park, also in Liangjiang New Area, plum blossoms and iris flowers bloom beneath the trees, creating a popular walking area for visitors.
Wetlands are often called “the kidneys of the Earth” because they help filter water, regulate climate, store floodwater and support biodiversity.
Chongqing lies in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River and in the Three Gorges area, making wetland protection an important part of the region’s ecological system.
According to the Chongqing Forestry Bureau, the city plans to strengthen wetland restoration during China’s upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026–2030). Planned projects include vegetation restoration, bird habitat protection and rehabilitation of degraded wetlands.
While prioritizing conservation, the city is also exploring ways to integrate micro-wetlands with environmental management, organic agriculture, rural guesthouses and eco-tourism.
Chongqing aims to build 120 micro-wetlands by 2027, expanding ecological spaces for residents while promoting balanced development between environmental protection and rural revitalization.