Oxygen touted as another cause to visit Wailingding
Wailingding Island is being promoted as a Chinese Natural Oxygen Bar as a component of Zhuhai’s ecological tourism and as the Wanshan Marine Development Experimental Zone forms a major leisure destination.
An "oxygen bar" is said to improve overall health, including mood, sleep, and energy levels. The average concentration of negative oxygen ions at Wailingding Island measured 2,766 per sqm in the first half of this year, way above the 1,000 per sqm standard set for a Chinese Natural Oxygen Bar.
China's "natural oxygen bars" reported booming tourism last year, China Daily reports, as more and more people visit places that have fresh air, thick forests and are rich in negative ions.
One of 10 major Zhuhai islands, Wailingding in the Wanshan Archipelago is a national 4A-Level scenic spot in the eastern Pearl River Estuary. Tourist attractions include Lovers Avenue Scenic Spot, Stone Park, Rock Carvings, Morning Bell of North Emperor Mt, Lingding Peak, and fine beaches at Lingding, Tawan, and Dadong bays.
Beach cove on Wailingding Island [Photo by Zeng Yao / Guanhai App]
To realize that goal, the Wanshan zone has also increased protection of marine ecological resources in recent years. Along with the Macao Oceanography Society and Ocean University of China, the zone constructed the Blue Bay Coral Research Center and "Smart" Ocean Jin Xianglong Academician Workstation to research coral protection, restoration, proliferation, and utilization.
There are two National Marine Ranch Demonstration Zones in the Wanshan and Wailingding sea areas, six fish reefs created in Dong'ao, Wailingding, Miaowan, and Dazhizhou, and 8,793 reefs and 11 abandoned boats designated for marine species proliferation and conservation.
In addition, the Wanshan zone has restored 55,000 sq m (14 acres) in major islands in 2019. Landscape projects were also started at Wen Tianxiang Cultural Square and port coastlines on Guishan Island, Ring (Huandao) Road on Dong'ao Island and Dong'ao Bay. And, Wanshan Island roads are being upgraded.
Addressing pollution are on-site garbage disposal on Big Wanshan and Wailingding islands and Guangdong's first offshore sewage treatment plant on Guishan Island, built in 2012.
As a result, Guishan and Guihai rank 1st among the 22 Rural Revitalization Model Villages in Zhuhai, Wailingding Village is a Guangdong Beautiful Village With Rural Characteristics, Wanshan Town is a Guangdong Forestry Small Town, and Wanshan Fishing Port is among the 10 Most Beautiful Fishing Ports in Guangdong Province.