Cyclists ride along a greenway in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, on May 7. [Qiu Quanlin/China Daily]

GUANGZHOU - Qiu Zhennian's life has been greatly improved since he opened a small restaurant near a greenway in Zengcheng city, Guangdong province, last May.

"A growing number of people have visited the restaurant," Qiu said. "I had never dreamed of running such a business in the village."

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Prior to opening the restaurant, the 65-year-old farmer had relied on raising geese in Liantang village, which is now surrounded by a greenway.

The greenway is part of the 2,372-km greenway network built in Guangdong last year.

"The local government encouraged villagers to start businesses, such as restaurants, after the greenway was built by providing tax-free policies. So, I decided to follow the trend," Qiu said.

At least 20 families in the village have opened restaurants near the greenway, according to Qiu.

"The restaurant earns at least 15,000 yuan ($2,300) per month," he said. "I am planning to buy a car this year."

In Zengcheng, the local government has attached great importance to helping farmers benefit from the 1,690 km of greenways built in the city.

"The greenways provide an ideal place for outdoor activities, such as running, cycling and hiking and will, in return, help generate economic benefit for local farmers," said Wu Weidong, deputy mayor of Zengcheng.

The greenways in Zengcheng were mainly built in suburbs, connecting farmlands, gardens and scenic sites, sources with the local housing and urban-rural development authority said.

Citing a recent survey that showed the economic growth in villages adjacent to greenways was 50 percent higher than in others, Wu said the city will build 60 km of additional greenways in urban areas this year.

The greenway project has also benefited people in other cities. In Zhaoqing city, the local government has provided free land for farmers so they can open stores and restaurants near the greenways.

Lin Ming, a farmer in Sihui county of Zhaoqing, has started running a grocery store.

"I built the store without paying for the land and now I am planning to build a restaurant and sports facilities such as a swimming pool near the greenway," he said.

To better serve visitors, the provincial authorities have built or helped local farmers build about 200 courier stations along the greenway network.

Lin Musheng, vice-governor of Guangdong province, said greenways have been constructed to advocate a low-carbon and energy-saving lifestyle. Moreover, construction of greenways helps the government focus on how to improve people's lives rather than simply pursuing economic growth.

During the past three decades, Guangdong has seen fast economic development, but the province has also seen dwindling natural resources and deteriorating living conditions.

"So, we are doing something to allow both the government and people to focus more on improving the quality of life," Lin said.

The project, which connects nine cities in the delta region, was completed within a year of the provincial government launching the greenway construction plan in February of last year, with an investment of 3 billion yuan.

The greenways link about 200 forest parks, natural reserves, county parks and historical and cultural sites.

It is estimated that the greenways will help create more than 300,000 jobs and stimulate consumption of about 45 billion yuan, according to the department of housing and urban-rural development in Guangdong.

In addition, some 1,733 km of greenways were built in urban areas in Pearl River Delta cities, sources with the department said.

"More greenways will be built in urban cities to form a larger and connective greenway during the next two years," said Fang Qingfang, director of the provincial housing and rural-urban development department.