Once polluted fish ponds have become a wetland lake park in Zhijiang city, Hubei province, thanks to an environmental project, benefiting local people, attracting tourists and birds.

"The water was black and the air stunk," said Hu Yaoxin, a 58-year-old native of Zhijiang, who has lived by Jinhu Lake all his life. The naturally formed lake links with the Yangtze River.

Jinhu means "golden lake" in Chinese, but the raising artificial fish since the 1980s has  gradually deteriorated the water quality of the lake and nearby environment.

In 2015, an ecological restoring project was started, removing fish ponds, dismantling illegal constructions by the lake and planting environmentally friendly water plants to restore the lake.

"When I was young, the lake was clean and we children played by the water every day, and sometimes swam in it. I am glad it has become clean again, just like the lake in my childhood memory," Hu said.

The lake has become a place for local people to spend their leisure time. People enjoy walking and cycling along the 12-km-long lane encircling the lake.

The lake not only attracts people, but also birds.

Tang Wanyu likes watching birds and the Jinhu Lake is his new favorite place to do bird photography.

He observed six tundra swans in December. "Their appearance shows Jinhu is good enough for them to stay," Tang said, adding that as the water quality improves more birds stay closer to the bank.

So far, nearly 200 types of birds have been found in the lake area.