Hengyang's Nanyue District has been certified as a "World Longevity Area" by the International Institute on Ageing (INIA).
On September 17, a ceremony was held to unveil the stone tablet designating Nanyue District as a "World Longevity Area". Two centenarians living in the district attended.
The stone tablet of "World Longevity Area" is unveiled.
The title of "World Longevity Area" is authenticated by INIA, the only institute of the United Nations (UN) that works on ageing issues. It assesses candidate regions based on eight basic indicators in three major factors—longevity of population, ecological environment, and social economy. The certification is recognized by such international organizations as UN, European Union (EU), and Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), as well as international academic circles.
Hengshan Mountain, also known as Nan Yue (South Mountain), is one of the five sacred mountains in China. Its favorable natural environment provides a natural foundation for local people to enjoy longer lifespans. According to INIA's report, the vegetation index of Nanyue District reached 0.72, and the percentage of days with good air quality hit 95.62 percent. The central area of the Hengshan Mountain Scenic Area is reputed as a natural "oxygen bar", with the negative air ions amounting to 100,000 per cubic centimeters, hitting 320,000 per cubic centimeters in peak moment.
As of the end of 2023, the average life expectancy in Nanyue District was 80.12 years. The number of centenarians in the district was six at present.
In recent years, Nanyue District has leveraged its unique and superior resources to carry out a "Health Nanyue" initiative. The average life expectancy in the district is much higher than the national average, making it a genuine "area of centenarians". It is also recognized as a national-level all-for-one forest fitness pilot area, attracting numerous tourists to enjoy leisure time and spend holidays.