Changsha pit transformed into a park

In 2008 the city government shut down dozens of cement and chemical plants, leading to a significant reduction in air and water pollution.

One of the businesses that shut down, a cement company, left behind a huge pit covering an area of 180,000 square meters.

To heal the scar on the land, Hunan Xiangjiang New Area Investment Group spent 12 billion yuan ($1.7 billion) building the amusement park, which includes a lake. Construction work began in November 2015.

Other attractions built nearby, including a shopping street and a movie theme town, helped reinvigorate the old industrial area.

"In the past, on a clear day, you would be covered with dust, while on a rainy day, you would be splashed with mud," Xie said. "However, I can now invite my friends to my place with confidence. With convenient roads, I feel much happier living here."

Xinhua