Xiamen’s Yundang Lake: From Sewage to Sanctuary

Once famed for its 'Yundang Fishing Lights,' Xiamen’s iconic lake faced a grim fate in the 1970s. Land reclamation cut it off from the sea, turning it into a polluted wasteland. “It smelled like rotting fish,” recalls local resident Chen Wei. But a decades-long environmental revival, sparked in the 1980s, has rewritten its story.

A Phoenix Rises from the Muck

Through interviews with three lifelong Xiamen residents, a new documentary reveals how teamwork between communities and officials transformed the lake. Today, Yundang’s waters shimmer, egrets glide overhead, and parks buzz with joggers and photographers. “It’s like nature came back to life,” says teacher Lin Mei.

Lessons for a Greener Future

The cleanup wasn’t just about pipes and filters—it became a model for balancing urban growth with ecological care. “We learned that you can’t ignore nature,” explains engineer Zhang Hao. The lake now hosts migratory birds and has boosted tourism, proving sustainability pays off.

As skyscrapers rise around Yundang, its rebirth offers hope for cities worldwide: even the most damaged ecosystems can heal with vision and grit.

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Transformation in the Eyes of Three 'Xiamen Natives'

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