Live Your Best Lives
Shitang is located in Wenling, Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province. It is the first place where the first rays of light of the new millennium and new century shone in mainland China; a secluded island on the long coastline of eastern Zhejiang; the "most beautiful fishing village" on the East China Sea coastline; a flower blooming on stone; and an "Oriental Notre Dame" for artists. It is truly beautiful.
Image by Zhang Li
When I came to Shitang, I could only say one thing: it is so so so so so beautiful!
Next, this guide will introduce Shitang, a stunning and mysterious place, in detail from four aspects: scenic spots, folk customs and culture, food, transportation and accommodation.
When you go to Shitang, you can buy a hand-drawn map like this first. The description on it is very detailed, and the approximate location of the scenic spots is also outlined, which is very helpful for first-time visitors.
Image by Xicheng
Image by Zhang Li
The Couple Rings Viewing Platform, also known as the "Meet for a Lifetime" sea-viewing platform, looks like a pair of rings. Its beautiful meaning of love is no less than the ends of the earth, so it is a must-visit spot for couples visiting the island.
Each platform is 1.5 meters wide, with a circular diameter of 10.55 meters. The slightly uneven design and circular viewing platform allow us to have a 360-degree panoramic view of the stone pond.
The only way to reach the viewing platform is on foot. There is a stairway of about two or three kilometers that winds its way up the mountain. The scenery you can see from a high place is not something you need to climb up to see. The intensity is not high. Everyone must go up and experience the feeling of overlooking the blue sea and blue sky.
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The coastal greenway is about 8km long and has many viewing platforms and rest facilities along the way. It is very suitable for hiking. On both sides are blue sea and blue sky, lush forests, and sandy beaches and gravel. The scenery is very beautiful.
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The sand here is fine and golden, hence the name Golden Beach. What beach trip is complete without some fun? You can lounge on the sand and get a healthy tan, unleash your imagination and play with the sand, frolic in the shallow waters with the waves, or strike a pose for a beautiful photo. The beach is always so fun.
Tips Ticket: 20 yuan/person
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The place where the first ray of sunshine of the new millennium and the new century first shines is an auspicious place to pray, make wishes and receive warmth. It has been personally tested and is effective.
Two opposing pillars stand tall, like two upright doors, symbolizing the opening of the new century. The raised doorposts resemble hoisted sails, carrying on the past and ushering in the future. A fishing net, connected between the two sails, symbolizes the hardworking spirit of the people, braving the sea and waves to achieve a bountiful harvest. As 2018 draws to a close and a new year begins, why not come here with aspirations, greet the first rays of the new year's sunshine, and make your wishes known?
Near the Dawn Monument is the Shitang Planetarium, a popular science education base of the National Astronomical Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It is the only comprehensive planetarium in China open to tourists that integrates sightseeing and popular science education. The ship model exhibition hall currently has four major series: ship model series, fishermen's clothing series from past dynasties, sea fishing scene re-enactment series and marine biological specimens. It is very distinctive. Friends who like astronomy and navigation or those who bring children should not miss it.
Image by Zhang Li
This is a beautiful part of the Shitang Scenic Area. Climbing the dam and looking back, you can take in the panoramic view of Shitang, with Lion Rock as far as the eye can see. Buildings and roads nestle against the mountain and the sea, with residential buildings surrounding the mountain. Fishing boats are moored in the harbor, and ferries are busy. Outside the dam, the sea surges wildly, crashing against the shore. Inside the dam, the waters flow calmly, the sea is peaceful, and the road atop the dam is smooth, with lampposts lined up and seabirds occasionally flying overhead.
This is the most beautiful fishing village I can think of. When you come here, you can stroll on the dam and watch seagulls flying over barges in the distance; you can walk through the houses and integrate into the local life; you can take a boat out to sea and watch a beautiful sunset in the middle of the sea; you can do nothing, because it is already breathtakingly beautiful.
Image by Zhang Li
Shitang, because it is located on the seaside and is affected by geographical and climatic conditions such as sea water, sea breeze, and typhoons, is based on stone and is filled with stone houses, stone streets, stone alleys, and stone steps, forming a unique stone culture.
Shitang's unique stone houses and stone culture, tranquil and timeless, bear witness to the fishing village's prosperity and vicissitudes. Statistics show that Shitang boasts over 19,000 surviving stone houses, including 759 from the Qing Dynasty and 1,833 from the Republic of China period. The most famous of these is the Chen Helong Residence, a provincially protected cultural relic. This complex of stone buildings was meticulously constructed by Chen Helong, a local fishing capitalist in Ruoshan during the late Qing and early Republic periods. The residence, a south-facing, wood-and-stone structure, comprises two front and back towers with four rooms, a small garden, and a stone fort, totaling approximately 600 square meters. The restored Chen Helong Residence now houses the Municipal Maritime Folk Museum, showcasing images and artifacts reflecting Shitang's natural scenery, architectural features, and folk customs.
The century-old stone house complex reveals the changes of history in its dilapidated appearance. Walking among them is like traveling through that period of history.
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Dongxia Beach boasts exceptional sand quality and is surrounded by the ancient and renowned Euonymus carnosus, the largest in the province, and the century-old oak. Dongxia Beach is named after a nearby cave. Facing the sea eastward, the beach is 700 meters long and 250 meters wide at low tide, making it the largest beach in Taizhou. A cave, known as Haishidong, lies to the northwest of the beach. Over 50 meters deep, it disappears at high tide and becomes visible at low tide.
Image by Zhang Li
Located in the southwest of Shitang Peninsula, within the Ruoshan Harbor area of Shitang's central fishing port, the colorful island of Xiaoruo holds a special place within Shitang's Ruoshan Hill, making it one of the best sunset photography and viewing spots in Shitang. Compared to many other picturesque villages, Xiaoruo Village's colorful houses are even more vibrant. The vibrant colors of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple create a perfect collision here, creating a powerful visual impact. Yet, the village remains quaint and natural. At dusk, the setting sun, island, sea, and fishing boats blend into a unique and captivating scene.
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Most of the villagers in Shitang migrated from Donghu, Fujian, and naturally retained the unique southern Fujian culture. The big drum is a representative item among them, and it has distinct characteristics.
The big drum has been listed as a national intangible cultural heritage. The dancers dress up as women and dance to the drum player, beating the drums at the same time. Sometimes they are intoxicated, sometimes they are passionate and rough. The formation rises and falls with the dance movements and changes constantly according to the rhythm of the drum, which truly shows the inner feelings of the fishermen and the customs of the fishing village.
The most fundamental characteristic of the dazougu dance is men dressed as women. Local villagers say that when their ancestors lived in Hui'an, Fujian, dazougu was performed by women. This was because fishing boats were simple and flimsy, and going out to sea was a life-threatening experience. To welcome the men back safely, women would dress in their finest clothing and play gongs and drums, creating a festive atmosphere. Later, to highlight the drummers, they were dressed in men's clothing. Over the centuries, the dazougu dance is now exclusively performed by men.
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Since the China New Millennium Dawn Festival was held on January 1, 2000, the Wenling Municipal Government has held a grand Dawn Festival in the Millennium Dawn Park every New Year's Day to welcome the sunrise of the new year and pray for good luck and health for the people.
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On the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar, there is a beautiful legend about the meeting of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl on the Qixi Festival. Shitang further evolved this love story into an activity that focuses on the growth and future of children - the fruit of love, namely the Little People's Festival in the fishing area.
The Little People's Festival is equivalent to the coming-of-age ceremony for children in fishing families. On the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, residents set up an altar at their doorsteps, with a colorful pavilion or bridge specially made for the child on it, offering sacrifices to the Seventh Lady and praying for the child's smooth growth.
In June 2011, the Little People's Festival was included in the third batch of national intangible cultural heritage list, and its influence has been expanding.
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The ocean's majestic beauty and profound emotions inspire and motivate Wenling paper-cut artists. With the unique perspective and passion of coastal dwellers, these artists use paper-cuts, each imbued with the scent of the sea, to tell the beautiful stories of fishermen. Wenling's marine paper-cuts consistently revolve around a single theme: the ocean and its associated people, boats, nets, fish, and shrimp. These works capture the artists' profound and nuanced understanding of the ocean. Wenling boasts a large number of marine paper-cut artists, whose work is of high quality and holds a significant influence both domestically and internationally.
Shitang snacks are unique, including "one rice dumpling, two noodles, three round dumplings, four soups, and five-color flowers".
One zongzi: meat zongzi, two noodles: fried mung bean noodles, shao mian (glutinous rice balls); three balls: mountain tapioca balls, meat balls, fish balls; four soups: meat soup, eel soup, pomfret soup, clam soup; five-color flowers: mountain tapioca balls, fish noodles, walnut-flavored eggs, fried rice, wheat and shrimp.
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Bean noodles, commonly known as "Shandong noodles" or mung bean noodles, are made from sweet potato starch. Once fried, they are soft, glutinous, fragrant, and exceptionally delicious. This dish is made with dried shrimp (or dried shrimp) and fish noodles, a specialty of the fishing area, as well as the unique cooking procedures and techniques. Today, Shitang Fried Bean Noodles has earned the title of a Zhejiang specialty.
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Fish noodles, also known as fish cakes, are made by mixing fish meat and mountain starch, pounding them into thin slices with a fish cake mallet, baking them in a dry pan until half-cooked, cutting them into strips (or slices), drying them in the sun, and storing them for later use.
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Fresh fish is deboned, skinned and gutted, minced into a paste, added with tofu (or taro), mountain starch and seasonings, and steamed in a steamer until cooked. When eaten, it is cut into small diamond-shaped pieces and added with seasonings. It is used as a condiment for serving in a bowl at a banquet or in soup cakes or noodle soup.
The most convenient way to get to Shitang from all over the country is to take the high-speed rail to Wenling Station, and then charter a car, share a car, or rent a car to Shitang. Because the roads in the Shitang scenic area are narrow and the points are relatively scattered, traveling by car is the most convenient and free way to travel.
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Shitang has a wide variety of accommodation options, including star-rated hotels and unique B&Bs. For now, I'd like to recommend Huazhu Shehaikongxiayuan, a B&B located right on the beach with excellent views.
Image by Zhang Li
Shitang, a small seaside fishing village, offers countless surprises. Its diverse natural and cultural landscapes, rich cultural heritage, delicious seafood, and local snacks are all worth a visit and exploration.
