Rice paddies are filled with seedlings in Shulan, Jilin province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

As Xiaoman, or grain buds — the second solar term of summer — fell on Saturday, farmers in Shulan, Jilin province, had nearly completed transplantation of their rice seedlings.

In early summer, rice paddies in the city are dressed in fresh robes of green, bringing villagers hope for a good harvest in the fall.

Shulan, a county-level city under Jilin city, is one of the country's major demonstration areas for sustainable agriculture. It is known for its high-quality rice.

Rice paddies are filled with seedlings in Shulan, Jilin province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Rice paddies are filled with seedlings in Shulan, Jilin province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]