After nearly three years of ecological restoration, a barren mining area in southwest China's Chongqing has been turned into a flower belt, drawing lots of visitors in spring.

Honglu Village nestled in the mountains in the suburban outskirts of Chongqing now boasts nearly 20 hectares of rapeseed flowers in full bloom, presenting a view of yellowish belt of flowers.
The belt of flowers was once an abandoned mining site. In March 2021, the project proposal to restore the environment in the deserted mining area near the village was approved. In their efforts to restore the local ecosystem, the villagers filled the mining pits, leveled the land, and built irrigation facilities, and finally turned the once abandoned barren land into fertile soil to grow crops.
"After the environmental restoration, this area has become a flower sea. The entire ecological system is better and more harmonious than before, looking pleasant and more beautiful than its previous state as mining pits," said a tourist.
The improved environment has also boosted the development of local economy. The annual flower season attracts large numbers of tourists, driving the booming of catering and homestay businesses nearby, increasing local people's income.