So-called "characteristic towns" are a trendy way of developing rural areas, and they're spreading in China like mushrooms after rain.

Shanghai has nine such state-level towns, along with more than 100 suburban towns.

The notion of characteristic towns was first put forward in Zhejiang Province to refer to suburban areas featuring outstanding culture, industry or technology.

But how should each town develop its own "characteristic," and what should local authorities do to strike a balance between economy and ecology?