Kaihua county in Quzhou, East China's Zhehjiang province was recently included in the 2022 list of the most beautiful counties in China, local media reported on Jan 31.

The list's evaluation criteria measured the ecological beauty, cultural beauty, and industrial beauty of counties, aiming to create more tourist destinations while boosting regional tourism and economic recovery.

Kaihua county is located at the junction of Zhejiang, Anhui, and Jiangxi provinces, covering a total area of 2,236 square kilometers. It is the source of the Qiantang River, the mother river of Zhejiang province.

It is also home to Qianjiangyuan subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest, which is known as "the most beautiful forest in China" and is home to more than 3,600 species including the black muntjac, also known as the "southern giant panda".

The county also boasts 13 national 3A level or above scenic spots, such as Root Palace Buddhist Cultural Tourism Zone, Gutian Mountain, and Qicai Changhong Scenic Spot, as well as 13 national 5A level scenic spots within a two-hour traffic circle.

Qicai Changhong Scenic Spot in Kaihua county, Quzhou, East China's Zhehjiang province. [Photo/qz123.com]

Sculptures in Root Palace Buddhist Cultural Tourism Zone in Kaihua county, Quzhou, East China's Zhehjiang province. [Photo/qz123.com]

Gutian Mountain in Kaihua county, Quzhou, East China's Zhehjiang province. [Photo/qz123.com]