Key projects start in Lijiang's Old Town

Lijiang hosts a commencement ceremony to put five key projects into construction in Old Town on June 23. [Photo by He Zhanhui/Xinhua]

Lijiang held a commencement ceremony to launch the construction five key projects in Old Town on June 23.

With a total investment of 1.15 billion yuan ($170 million), the five projects will be the focus of this year's second quarter, covering agriculture, irrigation and real estate along the major streets and townships of Lijiang's Old Town.

The renovation of the Jinhongshan shanty area, at a total investment of 863 million yuan, is projected to build some 1,716 new houses over an area of 263,000 square meters.

A comprehensive desertification treatment in Old Town will close 1,500 hectares of hillsides to facilitate afforestation and cultivate 140 hectares of artificial forests.

Li Zhi, deputy director of the People's Government of Lijiang's Old Town, said that the construction of these key projects will further improve the area's image, as well as the local living environment.

Edited by Zachary Dye