From port to paradise: Xiamen's Yundang Lake makes a splashing recovery

Yundang Lake, once Xiamen's bustling Yundang Port, has risen from the ashes of pollution to become a thriving urban haven — a testament to China's growing dedication to environmental preservation.

Prior to the 1970s, a crucial pivot came with the construction of a western embankment, transforming the port into a sprawling lake, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources. However, rapid economic development in the early 1980s brought pollution, silencing the waters with the disappearance of fish and shrimp.

Determined to rectify the damage, Xiamen took action in the 1980s, shutting down and relocating major polluting industrial plants. Lush mangrove forests were planted on the lake's central island, and a clever water-flow system was devised. Capitalizing on tidal variations, the city installed gates, letting in clean seawater during high tide and flushing out pollutants during low tide.

Yundang Lake's success became a springboard for an even more ambitious project: Wuyuan Bay. In 2005, defying the lure of lucrative real estate, Xiamen chose to save 89 hectares of pristine wetlands within the bay, the ministry said.

Today, Wuyuan Bay stands as Xiamen's green "reception hall," attracting over 300 renowned companies. A vibrant community flourishes, with yacht enthusiasts gliding across the cleansed waters and a growing number of tourists enjoying the bay's natural beauty.