Villages offer best of both worlds

Near urban areas, the district also enables travelers to have an easy change of scenery and access to modern conveniences.

The natural topography, which slopes from northwest to southeast, has created a unique landscape that features deep ravines in the west of the district and wide valleys to the east.

The rich natural resources have given rise to a distinctive rural cuisine, featuring fresh and tender Tianmu bamboo shoots, juicy kiwifruit, and soft yet chewy steamed buns.

Local authorities have rolled out several distinctive rural dishes.

The move has helped Wu Aiguo develop a booming catering business.

"Every winter during my childhood, the elders of my family will use locally grown produce and cook a warm, satisfying pot of stew," says Wu from Xiyou village, Tianmushan town in Lin'an.

"They would pull a handful of homegrown radishes, butcher a backyard chicken or duck and dig up a few fresh asparagus, before putting them in a stew," Wu recalls.

Wu has tapped his childhood memories and developed many traditional dishes based on local food.