As summer heat peaks, a 600-mu (40 hectares) lotus pond in Hanjiazhuang village, Hai'an, has become a stunning attraction, drawing visitors to its flower viewing area. The village introduced 20 new lotus varieties this April, extending the blooming season until mid-October and enriching the landscape for tourists.

Beyond its beauty, the lotus pond is a key driver for the local economy. To address the issue of unproductive waterlogged fields, the village introduced large-scale lotus farming in 2023. This has created a diverse product line including fresh-cut flowers, potted plants, and lotus seed sales.

Fresh-cut flowers sell for up to 1,800 yuan ($265.68) a day at local markets, while lotus roots are supplied to supermarkets in major cities like Shanghai and Hangzhou. Further processing lotus roots into branded "Huoli Ouba" lotus root powder adds another 30,000 to 40,000 yuan annually to the village collective's income.

The lotus industry has also created year-round jobs for villagers, from planting in spring to harvesting and processing in autumn and winter. Villager Zhang Guiling said that the work is less tiring than working away from home.

Looking ahead, Hanjiazhuang plans to expand its agritourism model with a water park project, featuring a 450-meter waterslide and play areas, set to open in summer 2026. This initiative aims to integrate sightseeing with recreational activities to further boost rural prosperity and solidify the village's path to wealth through its lotus flowers.

The lotus pond in Hanjiazhuang village, Hai'an. [Photo/Nantong Daily]