The five mountains areas in Nantong. [Photo by Peng Changqing for nantong.gov.cn]

The efforts by Nantong in East China's Jiangsu province to improve the natural environment of its five mountains areas and the areas along the Yangtze River in recent years have finally paid off.

The five mountains – Junshan, Jianshan, Langshan, Ma'an, and Huangni – as well as the areas along the Yangtze River cover an area of 17 square kilometers, including 14 kilometers of waterfront along the Yangtze River.

Since 2016, Nantong has invested more than 10 billion yuan to shut down and relocate polluting enterprises, dismantle illegal buildings, and restore 12 km of waterfront and over 6 square kilometers of forest and green land in these areas.

Five mountains areas now are home to nearly 1,000 species of wildlife, including 37 newly-discovered species.

The five mountains areas and the areas along the Yangtze River in the city have become popular tourist attractions and receive more than 4 million tourists every year.

"An improving natural environment has attracted many investments, including the Langshan Mountain International Cruise Port," said Shao Wenjian, deputy director of the management office of the Nantong Langshan Mountain Resort.

Last year, the natural restoration and repair of the five mountains areas and the areas along the Yangtze River in Nantong won provincial recognition and was listed as a role model by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration in natural restoration and repair.