Iconic 20-yuan landscape goes zero-carbon

Editor's note: As protection of the planet's flora, fauna and resources becomes increasingly important, China Daily is publishing a series of stories to illustrate the country's commitment to safeguarding the natural world.

For decades, the serene karst mountains along the Lijiang River — the very landscape immortalized on the back of China's 20-yuan banknote — were offset by a noisy, polluting reality. Gasoline-powered tourist rafts roared down the water spewing black exhaust, and unsightly overhead power lines crisscrossed the river like scratches on a canvas.

Today, the roar has been replaced by a low hum, the power lines are gone, and the iconic view in Guilin's Xingping township in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region has been fully restored.

Through a sweeping low-carbon transition led by local authorities and China Southern Power Grid, the Lijiang River Scenic Area has successfully tied ecological preservation directly to local economic growth. By fully electrifying transport, building modern charging infrastructure, and switching nearby communities to 100 percent green power, the region has created a blueprint for sustainable eco-tourism.