Longwan Bay, home to the Langyatai Scenic Area, is being developed into a coastal wellness tourism destination. [Photo/Guanhai News]

Qingdao is accelerating the development of 14 health and wellness demonstration zones, creating a citywide network of healthcare, rehabilitation, senior living and wellness tourism projects along its coastline of more than 800 kilometers.

The zones, a key part of the city's broader health and wellness development initiative, have been divided into three categories based on their functions and local resources.

One zone, centered on the University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, focuses on integrating education, research, medical services and industry. The university serves as an important source of research and professional talent for the sector.

Eight zones are being developed as all-age wellness communities, combining residential projects with medical, education, transport and commercial facilities. Another five focus on wellness tourism, drawing on Qingdao's coastal scenery, Laoshan Mountain, forests and distinctive seawater hot springs.

A number of projects are already taking shape. In July, a 37,000-square-meter health and wellness center opened in the Shaohai zone, offering 120 rooms equipped with smart health-monitoring and fall-detection systems. The center has also streamlined access to a nearby top-tier hospital.

Qingdao is advancing 164 key health and wellness projects, with 99 currently under construction and 65 in the pipeline. More than 11,000 healthcare, rehabilitation and related businesses and institutions have also established operations in the city.