Changzhou village combines modern, traditional expertise

Meilin, a village in Changzhou, is developing new sources of income by selling sod while also preserving local traditional craftsmanship.

Nearly 400 hectares of land in the village is being used to plant lawns, and 70 percent of local farmers are now engaged in the lawn industry.

Meilin introduced a new method for producing soilless lawn in 2014, which has generated hundreds of jobs for villagers, according to Lyu Xiaoyan, Party secretary of the village.

The village also established a cooperation association and professional service teams to teach villagers how to plant lawns and to use the necessary machinery.

In order to make full use of the lawns, the local government has decided to use them to host wedding ceremonies and put up tents for various events.

A villager mows grass in Meilin, Changzhou. [Photo by Chen Wei/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Meilin, known for its handicrafts, has also encouraged villagers to preserve traditional craftsmanship.

An exhibition center has been established in the village to display and promote works by local craftsmen, including tiger-head shoes, paper cuttings, and bamboo weavings.

Visitors will be able to learn about carving, weaving, and other art forms directly from the craftspeople themselves.

A skilled craftsman shows off his handiwork at an exhibition center in Meilin, Changzhou on Nov 20. [Photo by Chen Wei/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]