The "Genghai No.1" marine ranching complex, a fine example representing China's new production model that integrates tourism into the fishing industry, is attracting throngs of visitors this summer as an aquarium, a viewing deck and a fishing spot.

Located about two kilometers off the coast of Yantai City, in east China's Shandong Province, Genghai No.1 is in the shape of a gigantic "flower" with three "petals," which are actually circular cages with 40 meters in diameter.

With fish darting about inside, the "flower" can raise 200,000 high quality saltwater fish every year. Its annual output can reach about 150,000 kilograms.

Between the phase 1 and the phase 2 of the project is a 400,000-cubic-meter fish breeding space that can raise up to one million fish.

In addition to fish breeding, the phase 2 provides a sought-after entertainment destination for tourists, with ocean view hotels, restaurants and a marine science exhibition hall in its huge interior that has seven floors and a total area of 10,000 square meters.

"It gives me an immersive experience. As it's built at the sea, I felt like I was driving into the sea on the Jiaolong submersible," said Guo Yihan, a tourist.

"We came here so that the child can learn something about marine life," said Qi Shanshan, another tourist.

Built with 12,000 tons of steel, Genghai No.1 project stands firmly on 219 piles and can withstand up to level 12 typhoon.

It also has an advanced sewage and waste disposal system and a clean energy system to prevent pollution.

"We collect wastewater and then carry out thorough treatment on dark and gray water before transporting them to the shore and the city network. As for solid waste, we also collect, sort, package and then transport it to the shore on a regular basis for categorized treatment," said Weng Xingyou, director of security department of Genghai Science and Technology Company, Shandong Marine Group Ltd., operator of the marine farm.

With a 18,000-kilometer coast line and three million square kilometers of sea area, China boasts a huge potential for such marine farms. In Yantai alone, 18 national marine ranching complexes just like Genghai No.1 have been built.