The Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism recently published the second list of the province's characteristic tourist towns. The Taohua town in Putuo district and Wulong township in Shengsi county, Zhoushan were among the 28 listed. 

The provincial characteristic tourist town refers to a town with tourism as its dominant industry and that features unique natural scenery, a sound living environment, rich local culture and folk customs, and complete public service facilities.

The Taohua town in Putuo district focuses on developing itself into an ideal destination for vacations, cultural experiences and spa breaks, and has ploughed more than 200 million yuan ($29.79 million) into several major tourist projects over the past year. 

Visitors take photos in the verbena field in Taohua Island, Putuo district, Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province on June 11, 2013. [Photo/IC]

Its infrastructure for tourism has been largely improved and its reputation as a beautiful island has been greatly enhanced.

The Wulong township in Shengsi county is composed of four communities with distinct styles. Tian'ao community is where the fisherman's painting, a folk art of Zhoushan, is inherited. Huangsha community focuses on sand, and provides visitors with an opportunity to play with the sand. Bianjiao community features houses painted in multiple colors. Huicheng community represents the image of a traditional fishing village.

Houses with fishermen's paintings on the wall in Wulong township, Shengsi county, Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province [Photo/IC]