By successfully integrating ecological restoration and tourism development, Songyuan, a city in Northeast China's Jilin province, has achieved both a thriving environment and high-quality economic growth, according to Li Xiaojie, Party chief of the city.

"With Chagan Lake serving as a model, Songyuan has been making comprehensive strides in ecological protection and ecotourism," Li said in a recent exclusive interview with China Daily.

Located in the central and western parts of Jilin, Songyuan boasts diverse ecological resources, with Chagan Lake — the largest natural lake in Jilin — as its "crown jewel".The lake was recently recognized as a national 5A-level tourist attraction.

Chagan is renowned for preserving the traditional ice-fishing culture of northern China's ethnic groups. The unique practice involves placing a fishing net beneath the ice and using horses to operate a winch. The ancient tradition dates back to the Liao Dynasty (916-1125) and Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) and remains vibrant today.

Each year on Dec 28, Songyuan hosts its annual winter fishing-themed festival, which has been celebrated 22 times, and this year's festival will also take place on that date. The city has expanded its tourism offerings, introduced new ventures in ice-and-snow tourism, and enhanced cultural and tourism consumption through its signature winter fishing festival.

Songyuan is ramping up efforts to protect the environment while striving to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, Li noted.

Through initiatives such as vegetation restoration and water ecology rehabilitation, the city has restored a cumulative 5,333 hectares of forests, grasslands and wetlands in recent years. Additionally, over 10 million fish fry are released into the lake annually. The annual reduction of nitrogen in the area has reached 12.7 metric tons.

To support different functions of the scenic area, green transportation and clean energy projects have been promoted. A 21-kilometer walkway now weaves through the area, and a natural gas station with a daily supply capacity of 90,000 cubic meters has been established. To combat pollution, two wastewater treatment centers and over 400 environmentally friendly garbage treatment facilities are in operation.