Xiamen's authorities have ramped up their efforts to develop the metropolis into a lush, eco-friendly coastal garden city, local media recently reported.

Wuyuan Bay, for example – at roughly one tenth of the total area of Xiamen -- has been renovated into an attractive natural region.

The bay, a 12.57-square-kilometer wetlands park, was underestimated in the past due to its large intertidal zone, messy fishponds and litter, said Lin Chonghe, executive deputy director of Huli district.

However, construction of Huandao Road enabled the local government to start to manage Wuyuan Bay, including dredging the bay.

National nature reserves have also been established in the city to protect rare marine and endangered species, including Chinese white dolphins and egrets.

In addition, the city now is covered by more than 100 hectares of mangrove forest, providing a good place ecologically for seabirds and for bottom dwellers to live.

Wuyuan Bay in Xiamen, in eastern Fujian province, is being turned into an attractive natural region, under the concerted effort of the local government. [Photo/IC]