[Jinshanzui Fishing Village Travel Guide] How to have fun in Shanghai's last fishing village?

Preface

Let me tell you about the past of the small fishing village.

Jinshanzui Fishing Village is the oldest and last fishing village on Shanghai's coastal coast. Situated on the shores of Hangzhou Bay, north of the Shanghai-Hangzhou Highway, it's just a stone's throw from the sea and faces the three Jinshan Islands across the water. A major feature of the village is its diverse and delicious seafood.

In the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, there were 36 shops and workshops in the town, and more than 10 fishing shops dealing in fish products alone. During the spring and autumn flood seasons, big fish and jellyfish were abundant, and tourists and merchants came to watch the tide, buy fish, and do business. The seawall was crowded with people, and it was very lively.

In the 1980s, Jinshanzui Fishing Village reached its peak, with more than 1,000 fishermen going out to sea, 45 large and small fishing boats with a total tonnage of 1,650, and an annual output of 1.16 million dan of fish. The fishing range also expanded from Hangzhou Bay to the open sea, south to the Diaoyu Islands and north to Jeju Island in South Korea. It was a red flag on the fishing front of Shanghai.

How to get to the fishing village

Self-driving routes

Route 1: Xinzhuang Interchange --- G60 Shanghai-Kunming Expressway --- G15 Shenyang-Haikou Expressway --- S4 Shanghai-Jinhua Expressway --- Tingwei Highway Exit --- Go straight south along Tingwei Highway (Tingwei South Road) to the end --- Shanghai-Hangzhou Highway (turn left).
Route 2: Xinzhuang Interchange --- G60 Shanghai-Kunming Expressway --- G15 Shenyang-Haikou Expressway (toward Jinshanwei) --- G15 Shenyang-Haikou Expressway (toward Ningbo) --- Xincheng District Exit (Songwei South Road) --- Go straight south along Songwei South Road and Hangzhou Bay Avenue --- Shanghai-Hangzhou Highway (turn left). There are brown tourist signs at major intersections in the city indicating the direction.

Bus routes

Route 1: Take Metro Line 1 to Jinjiang Amusement Park Station. Turn left and walk for 1 minute to Southwest Bus Station. Take the Shimei Line (or the Lianhua Road Station and the Lianshi Line) to Shihua Bus Station. Transfer to Shanyang 2nd Road (toward Jinshanzui Fishing Village), Shinan Line, or Shihu Line to Jinshanzui Station.

Route 2: Transfer to Jinshan Railway Station at Shanghai South Railway Station and then transfer to Nanwei Line or Fengwei Line at Jinshanwei Station.

Train lines

There is no direct route yet, it is time-consuming and laborious, and is not recommended.

Things you need to know about the small fishing village

Worship Mazu

Jinshanzui Fishing Village worships Mazu as its patron saint, offering sacrifices year-round. The Mazu Temple is a bustling gathering of worshippers, attracting not only locals but also residents from Songjiang, Pinghu, and Fengxian. Even after Shanghai opened its port, many people flocked to Jinshanzui to pay their respects. During the Sino-Japanese War, Japanese aircraft bombed the temple, destroying it. Remarkably, the Mazu statue's enclosure remained intact, untouched. Legend has it that the plane that bombed the temple suffered a sudden malfunction on its return flight and crashed into Hangzhou Bay.

The Mazu Temple in Jinshanzui is the oldest Mazu temple in Shanghai. The Mazu temples in Nanhui, Qingpu, and Shanghai all inherited their spirit from Jinshanzui. The third day of the third lunar month is Mazu's birthday, while the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, the Double Ninth Festival, marks her death anniversary. While there are no grand ceremonies on these two days, there are four other grand worship ceremonies held in Jinshanzui Fishing Village.

New Year's Eve sacrifice

The New Year's Eve ritual is one of the most solemn events of the year, primarily due to its high attendance rate. Every fishing village household with a seafaring member attends, regardless of their catch, whether they own the boat or own a stake, or whether they are the boss or a crew member. Secondly, the offerings are plentiful, including whole chickens and ducks, pig heads, and other animals; fruit and pastries, as well as lobsters and whole fish. Particularly particular is the specific chicken; it cannot be bare, and a few feathers must remain on its tail. The significance of this is unclear, though it's said to be a custom passed down from our ancestors.

Festival on the fifth day of the first lunar month

The fifth day of the first lunar month is the day to pray to the God of Wealth. Jinshanzui Fishing Village also considers Mazu the Goddess of Wealth. After breakfast, all fishermen board their boats, light incense and candles on the bows, and perform a kneeling ceremony in honor of the Sea Goddess. They then proceed to the Mazu Temple, burning incense, kowtowing, and setting off firecrackers, all in homage to Mazu for safe voyages and a bountiful harvest.

Pre-flood sacrifices

Before catching big fish in the spring and jellyfish in the autumn, all boats, led by the captain, burn incense and offer sacrifices before the statue of Mazu. Boats that have offered sacrifices before the statue can go out to sea, while those that have not done so must do so before going out to sea.

Harvest Festival

Every year after the spring fishing season, a stage is set up in the square in front of the Niangniang Temple for three days of performances to thank Mazu for her protection. In years of abundant harvest, a Mazu procession ceremony is held, with a full imperial procession, similar to an imperial procession. The procession begins at the Niangniang Temple and travels to the seawall, then to Zhangjiashe or Huangdun. Wherever the Mazu statue rests, a grand welcoming and farewell ceremony is held.

(Pictures from the Internet)

Fishing Village Taboo

In Jinshanzui Fishing Village, there are many taboos, as well as many non-taboos, which are traditions passed down by our ancestors. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Anyone entering the fishing village, unless there are special circumstances, must generally abide by these rules.

Eating taboos

Eating is not called "eating", but "enjoying the meal". Shouting "eating" is called "opening the meal". Chopsticks are called "piaozi" and serving rice is called "doufan" because the word "sheng" (full) sounds the same as "chen" (sink), which is unlucky.

Don't knock your chopsticks against the bowl, nor place them on top of it. Instead, place them neatly against the edge of the bowl. The Chinese character for "rest" (搁) means a fishing boat stranded, and placing chopsticks against the bowl symbolizes a fishing boat docked at the pier. Turning the fish over while eating is called "turning over," and the character for "turn" (翻) is also considered unlucky.

Fishing vessel terminology

Fishing boats avoid unlucky words. The mast is called "樯子," avoiding the character for "danger," as "樯" and "祥" (auspicious) are homophones, signifying good luck. Ropes are called "蘭," avoiding the character for "沉." Similarly, eating is called "享饭," and serving rice is called "兜饭." The words "东" and "西" are avoided: the west is called "高面," the east "低面," and the north and south are not. When drinking tea or wine, if the excess is overflowing, in Shanyang dialect, it's called "伴来了." On fishing boats, people say "high tide," avoiding the character for "compensate." If you run out of water and want more, they say "the tide has receded." Pour the used water out, calling it "扑水," avoiding the unlucky character for "倒."

On fishing boats, the terms "left" and "right" are used instead of "left". The oars are mounted on the center crossbar at the stern, with the right side in front of the oars and the left side behind. They don't use the terms "front" and "back"; instead, they use the terms "fore and aft of the mast". Because the main mast is in the middle of the boat, the "fore and aft of the mast" are easier to determine. Fishing boats lack restrooms or toilets, and strict regulations apply to urination and defecation. Urinating or defecating in front of the mast is prohibited, and relieving oneself on the tip of the mast is strictly prohibited. Urinating should be done behind the mast, either in front of or behind the oars. Defecation is done at the stern, in front of and behind the oars.

(Pictures from the Internet)

Eat in the fishing village

For thousands of years, fishermen have sailed to the sea, searching for the traces of schools of fish. Enjoy the delicious bounty of the ocean, including the eight traditional fishing village dishes, ten local specialties, and a street full of vibrant seafood. Besides mouth-watering seafood, the old street is also dotted with a variety of fisherman's snacks, such as crabapple cakes, fried dumplings, and plum blossom cakes. Every bite is filled with the flavors of fishing memories.

Fishing Eight Dishes - Boiled and Grilled Fish (Image from the Internet)

Fishing Eight-Style Salted Millet Shrimp (Picture from the Internet)

Eight Fish Dishes - Stir-fried Chives with Clams (Image from the Internet)

Fishing Eight Styles - Whitebait Scrambled Eggs (Picture from the Internet)

Fishing Eight Dishes - Stir-fried Clams with Scallion Oil (Image from the Internet)

Fishing Eight Dishes - Braised Small Yellow Croaker (Picture from the Internet)

Fishing Eight Dishes - Steamed and Marinated Mackerel (Image from the Internet)

Fishing Eight-Seaweed Shrimp Soup (Picture from the Internet)

Tour in the fishing village

Mazu Cultural Center

Jinshanzui Fishing Village is the home of the first Mazu Cultural Museum in Shanghai. The Jinshanzui Fishing Village Mazu Cultural Museum is divided into three parts: Mazu's life and cultural dissemination, Mazu in Shanghai and Mazu in Jinshanzui Fishing Village, using a vertical and horizontal line approach to introduce Mazu culture.

Mazu Cultural Center (picture from the Internet)

Fishing Museum

In Jinshanzui Fishing Village, there's a seemingly unassuming place that's a paradise for all children! That's right! It's the "Youlai Youqu" Fishing Fun Center! This interactive DIY experience center for teenagers allows children to fully develop their hands-on skills and creativity while having fun. It's a prime spot for family time!

Fishing Museum (picture from the Internet)

Playing with sand and drawing graffiti are two of the children’s favorite things, but painting with sand is probably the first time!

Fishing Museum (picture from the Internet)

What does the ocean sound like? Let our friend from the sea, the conch, tell you!

Fishing Museum (picture from the Internet)

Fishing village clay made with professional teachers~

Fishing Museum (picture from the Internet)

Fisherman's Old House

The Fisherman's House, through a process of time travel and interdisciplinary embellishment, partially depicts the evolution of fishermen's lives assimilated into those of farmers and local residents. Through authentic recreations of fishermen's lives and work, visitors are transported back to a time of semi-self-sufficiency, when fishermen fished and weaved nets. Visitors can weave their own nets, immerse themselves in the atmosphere of fishing, recall its memories, and experience the joys of fishing, experiencing the hardships and joys of fishermen in this time-travel journey.

Fisherman's old house (picture from the Internet)

The "Jinshanzui.Xiangyu" earth landscape area of Xiangyu Lake
includes three functional areas: Xiangyu Art Center (Earth Art Museum), Xiangyu Creative Leisure Center, and Xiangyu Fishing Culture Experience Center. It will become the "Living Fishing Culture" art and creative center of Jinshanzui Fishing Village, integrating fishery culture creation, art exhibition, creative experience, leisure and vacation.

Xiangyu Lake (picture from the Internet)

Dingziba Wharf

Located at the dock of Jinshanzui Fishing Village, the waves aren't particularly strong. The T-shaped dam serves not only to stem the tide's surge but also to facilitate access for nearby fishermen and boats. It's a great spot for fishing, swimming, and sightseeing.

Dingziba Wharf (picture from the Internet)

Living in a fishing village

Seaside B&B——Linquan Fisherman's Pride

B&B Courtyard——Linquan Fisherman's Pride

Public Area——Linquan Fisherman's Pride

Long entertainment table - Linquan Fisherman's Pride

Fisherman's Book House——Linquan Fisherman's Pride

Terrace View of the Sea - Linquan Fisherman's Pride

Sea view from the room——Linquan Fisherman's Pride

Viewing the island across the sea from the room - Linquan Fisherman's Pride

Conclusion

As Shanghai's last remaining fishing village, Jinshanzui has weathered the ebb and flow of tides for over a thousand years, exuding a unique atmosphere. Its old streets are exquisite, and the village's central lake is unique. Explore the old fishermen's houses, visit the fishing tackle museum, visit Guanyindou, Matouqiang, and the houses with their charming bridges and flowing water, or stroll along the Xiangyu Lake promenade. Seafood Street also offers a plethora of delicious dishes, and don't miss the traditional eight fishing village delicacies. Next to the old street, you can admire the mudflats and waves, soaking in the sea breeze and enjoying some seafood. If you're interested, you can also take home some fishing village mementos, such as a compass, a sampan, or a large conch shell. Don't search too hard; just pass them along and you'll find a surprise. If you can't bear to leave the sea, take some memories with you.