Abstract: Currently， the production mode of agriculture in our country is still extensive， and consequently， the benefit is relatively low. Besides， the quality of agricultural production is unstable and waste treatment remains to be solved. In order to overcome these problems， a new development model toward sustainable agriculture is greatly needed. In the present study， favorable conditions of agricultural development in Zhejiang mountainous areas were summarized， and several typical patterns of circular agriculture development in these areas were compared. Under the guidance of the “3R” principle， it is proposed that ecological conservation is the fundamental of cleaner production of circular agriculture in mountainous areas. The development of new agricultural management system is the premise for circular agriculture， with technology innovation and the increase of farmers income being the external and internal driving forces， respectively. But， the specific pattern of circular agriculture should be developed based on local conditions.

Key words: mountainous area, circular agriculture, development model