A flock of egrets fly over Yundang Lake, a seawater body in the heart of Xiamen in southeast China's Fujian Province, creating a watercolor painting as they are reflected on the shimmering water clear as a mirror. Towering skyscrapers add an element of modernity to the radiant scene of natural beauty.

Forty years ago, it was a different picture. Weeds ran riot in the black, smelly water where mosquitoes and flies bred due to pollution caused by the increasing factories and population.

Through comprehensive treatment, today's Yundang Lake is a testament to Xiamen's ecological progress, with small lush green islands in the lagoon. It has become a prime tourist destination and a popular site for recreational activities.

Huandao Road, which encircles the city and provides dazzling glimpses of the sea and exquisite scenic spots, is as popular as Yundang Lake. The clean beach, the sea and the distant islands seen through the mist have made it a hot tourist resort, a prized location for wedding photos and a must-do trail for amateur marathon runners.

Xiamen is magnetic and fascinating for both visitors and residents, and has become one of the most good-looking and livable cities in China.

(Photos by Wang Xiang)