Qingbang Island, one of the inhabited islands in the East Polar Islands in Zhoushan, East China’s Zhejiang province, is nicknamed “the Potala Palace on the sea” for its resemblance to the famous Tibetan landmark. Photo: Zhang Ruixue/Caixin

In the 1980s, the 1.41 square kilometer island was home to over 6,000 people, but the population density declined after 1985 due to the depletion of fishing resources. As a result, public facilities such as hospitals and schools closed, and businesses also left as the population dwindled, leaving hundreds of stone houses uninhabited. Photo: Zhang Ruixue/Caixin

A villager heads out to fish in June. Photo: Zhang Ruixue/Caixin

Seafood is displayed on a quiet street of the island. Photo: Zhang Ruixue/Caixin

Lights illuminate a newly opened homestay. The island gained popularity in 2014 as the filming location for the movie “The Continent” directed by widely read Chinese writer Han Han. The influx of tourism has breathed new life onto the island. Photo: Zhang Ruixue/Caixin

Zhao Yaohong watches the sunset on the island in June. She arrived there in 2019 and runs a homestay, which only has two rooms. Photo: Zhang Ruixue/Caixin

Visitors reach the island by boat. To support the island’s burgeoning tourism industry, the local government has bolstered ferry services and restored the island’s infrastructure. Photo: Zhang Ruixue/Caixin

Yan Shanyue, a former fisherman from Zhoushan, runs a restaurant on the island. He also rented out a separate house to young entrepreneurs who transformed it into a bar. Photo: Zhang Ruixue/Caixin

Xu Guofang operates a convenience store on the island, catering primarily to elderly residents who purchase pastries, incense, and daily necessities. Photo: Zhang Ruixue/Caixin

Volunteers offer haircuts to elderly residents. A report released by the local government this year showed the island now has a registered population of 1,851 people, mostly elderly. Photo: Zhang Ruixue/Caixin

Volunteers hold a birthday celebration for elderly residents. As part of efforts to provide companionship and care for the elderly, birthday events are held regardless of whether it’s the seniors’ actual birthdays. Photo: Zhang Ruixue/Caixin

Senior residents line up for medical examinations in June. The service is provided by visiting hospital staff to the island. Photo: Zhang Ruixue/Caixin

A volunteer sorts garbage on the island. Photo: Zhang Ruixue/VCG