Xiamen moves to protect Gulangyu Island, Wanshi Mountain

"Second-class protection areas" will include most parts of Wanshi Mountain and other islands that are not listed as "first-class protection areas". The plan states that these areas should have a high level of green space and biodiversity.

According to the plan, construction of buildings in "second-class protection areas" will also be forbidden, apart from necessary tourist facilities.

Areas around Gulangyu Island and Wanshi Mountain that are not included in the first two categories will be classed as "third-class protection areas". In these areas, construction of tourist facilities and residential buildings should get approval from authorities.

The Xiamen government has always attached great importance to the sustainable development of tourism in the city. From 1985 to 2013, the coastal city issued more than 30 regulations and residential covenants to protect 931 historic buildings and gardens and 183 cultural protection sites that were recognized by the local and central governments.

In Oct 2014, the city decided to limit the number of people who could visit Gulangyu Island per day at 65,000.

From June 30, 2017, the number was further reduced to 50,000 each day.

Local authorities said that controlling the number of visitors has helped enrich Xiamen’s tourism resources and improved the experience for visitors.

A father and his son take a rest on Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, Fujian province, on Aug 29, 2017. [Photo by Zhang Guojun/Xinhua]

Tourists walk on a street on Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, Fujian province, on Aug 29, 2017. [Photo by Zhang Guojun/Xinhua]