US faculty and students ride a sightseeing train in the City on the Cliff in Nayun Resort in Lishui, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]

A group of faculty and students from Rio Hondo College in the United States visited the City on the Cliff in Nayun Resort in Jingning She autonomous county in Lishui, Zhejiang province, on June 21 as part of the 2026 Young Envoys Scholarship (YES) Program.

The trip gave them a direct experience of China's ecological progress amid green mountains and clear waters.

The group toured the cliff-side resort, which was built on a former abandoned mine. They also rode a sightseeing train along the cliffs, walked on a glass walkway with panoramic views, and explored a dinosaur exhibition hall converted from old mine tunnels. The unique setting impressed the visitors with its creative reuse of the area’s industrial heritage.

This Jingning stop was a key part of the YES Program study tour. The transformation of a deserted quarry into a popular resort demonstrates the successful practice of the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets."

Using nature as a classroom, the American visitors observed local ecological restoration efforts and gained a deeper understanding of Chinese culture.