Because of the rich vegetation on the island, the air quality is better than most other places in the city and it is a national scenic area.

During July and August the Nanjing government hosts an annual Grape Festival (江心洲葡萄节).

To support tourism, restaurants, farmhouses, and hotels have been built so that visitors can pick grapes, eat rural food, and access quality services.

Its plan is to maintain much of the island's existing scenic environment while creating multi-story and high-rise residential housing for up to 200,000 people on 182 acres of land along canals, a new metro station, and additional recreational and commercial enterprises.

The "garden city" plan includes low carbon strategies, such as water reclamation, green energy and sustainable development.

[3][6][7] The RMB 100 billion development enterprise has partnered with Bayer Material Science to design low and zero energy buildings.

For the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics, it was a means of traveling from its YOG Forest Park to the Nanjing International Expo Center.

[14] Starting the summer of 2014, Nanjing Ferry Service shuttles passengers, standard bicycles, and electric bikes from the Zhongshan wharf.