Forty years after the reform and opening up started, Chinese people have experienced remarkable changes in their livelihoods. Today, what really matters to people is the quality of their life. In this sense, it has really tested local governments on how to build a livable city with a good environment and public services. Xianning in central China's Hubei Province has taken some rewarding measures. CGTN's Yang Jinghao has the story.

A sleety day in Xianning. As usual, 68-year-old Chen Qianjun enjoys the city's free public hot springs with many others around the same age. He has kept this habit for eight years since retiring, and has witnessed the growing popularity of this site.

CHEN QIANJUN RESIDENT "We all consider it a gift from the gods. As far as I know, there are hundreds of hot springs nationwide, but this should be the only one open to the citizens free of charge. So we're also grateful to the government as it has invested a lot to renovate it."

Over the past few years, the precious resource has been well exploited. Now there are more than ten commercial hot spring centers in Xianning. Thanks to the city's full-fledged transportation system, they are attracting an increasing number of visitors from neighboring cities.

PENG HUIMING TOURIST "My family drives from Wuhan to enjoy the hot springs here almost every winter. It's fun and beneficial to our health. And it's said that the hot springs in Xianning are all natural, not artificial."

And the booming tourism in turn further drives the improvement of the city's infrastructure. For example, construction of an airport is to start soon.

YANG JINGHAO XIANNING "This is a good example of how a city can take full advantage of its natural resources to benefit local residents and promote its development. It also prompts local government to realize that protecting nature is the key to building a liveable city. And this forest park is just a good practice in this regard."

Green development has been one of the city's priorities in its overall strategy. With a forest coverage rate of more than 50 percent, the city has even promised to expand its green areas by building more parks. Next, the government is determined to enhance people's well-being by improving public services.

ZOU JIANHUI, DEPUTY DIRECTOR URBAN AND RURAL PLANNING BUREAU OF XIANNING "We will step up the planning and construction of the public service facilities in terms of education, medical care, recreation and sports as well as elderly care. We'll also try to solve the commuting problem by optimizing road traffic."

Chen Qianjun describes his life as simple yet satisfying. As a witness to the city's development over the past decades, he says he looks forward to more positive changes.

YJH, CGTN, Xianning, Hubei Province.