A folk activity is held in Haimen district, Nantong, Jiangsu province during the May Day holiday. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

Haimen district in Nantong, Jiangsu province has implemented a raft of proactive measures to advance rural vitalization.

For example, authorities have rolled out a variety of activities to attract tourists, including hiking, camping, fishing, and farming experiences.

During this year's May Day holiday, more than 20,000 visitors flocked to Fumin village, which is a settlement of minority ethnic groups, to experience its special folk customs.

The local government has also been focusing on developing signature agriculture to promote the transformation and upgrading of its rural leisure tourism.

Tianlai village, which is home to China's most ancient loquat plantation, holds a loquat cultural tourism festival every year, drawing more than 2 million visitors from across the country.

The village has also developed a range of loquat-based products and related businesses, such as study tours and recreational vehicle camps.

In addition, Haimen authorities are tapping into rich local cultural heritages such as Zhang Jian culture and mahogany culture to create a net of characteristic villages.

Zhang Jian (1853-1926), a native of the district's Changle town, was an industrious entrepreneur who not only established the Dasheng Cotton Mills, leading China's cotton-spinning industry in the early 20th century, but also contributed to the establishment of museums, hospitals, nursing homes, and founded approximately 370 schools in Nantong.