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Relying on the 18-kilometer river-sea coastline, Yuantuojiao Resort in Qidong, Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, is leveraging its beautiful natural landscapes and rich tourism resources to develop its cultural and tourism industry, and has become an emerging popular tourist destination in the Yangtze River Delta.

During the National Day holiday, the Yuantuojiao Resort received nearly 100,000 tourists.

An aerial photo of the Bihai Yinsha double color sea at the Yuantuojiao Resort in Qidong, Nantong. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_36f5c871cac4]

Bihai Yinsha Scenic Area, a scenic spot at the Yuantuojiao Resort, was developed from a shoal full of fishmen's shrimp ponds and crab ponds.

The original turbid and dirty marine environment has been changed through the construction of 8.4-km permeable dikes, forming a rare blue sea in East China. The Yellow Sea is separated from a blue bay by a dam, giving the area a unique seascape.

Since 2016, Bihai Yinsha Scenic Area has received more than 1 million tourists annually, generating an annual tourism income of nearly 200 million yuan ($27.58 million) and becoming the most popular tourist resort in the Yangtze River Delta region.

In recent years, residents have seized opportunities brought about by the development of local tourism to develop homestay and agritainment industries.

In 2021, the income of the rural homestay economy at Yuantuojiao totaled 3 million yuan.

Players compete in the 2022 National Beach Volleyball Tournament (Qidong Station) held on Sept 16 at Yuantuojiao Resort. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

In addition, various activities were organized at Yuantuojiao to enhance its influence.

In recent years, the Xinhu Tulip Expo, Golden Beach Windmill Festival, Cultural and Tourism Industry Development Summit Forum and National Beach Volleyball Tournament have been held.