Wenjiang district, a newly urbanized area west of downtown Chengdu, is now seen by locals as a model of how to create a better life for residents.

With an area of only 277 sq km, a population of 338,400 and a gross domestic product of 17.1 billion yuan in 2009, Wenjiang’s administrators are not keen to promote themselves with just surging statistical figures.

Authorities and residents want the district to be a harmonious combination of prosperity and serenity, modernity and ancient heritage.