Taizhou Sanmen, the hometown of niche seafood, a treasure city discovered by CCTV, is perfect for this summer!
This guide is reprinted from the official account: @诗画浙江文旅资讯, the copyright of the pictures and texts belongs to the original author
Preface
Along its 227-kilometer coastline, reefs and beaches coexist, and the 166 islands with unique topography create a unique mountain and seascape. Countless tides have made this "seaside idyllic secret" less crowded, making it a far less stressful experience than an international vacation.
Bean Sprout Tribe@Sanmen Cultural Tourism
Bean Sprout Tribe @Likepotato/Photo
A frequent guest on CCTV, it was featured on the TV show "A Bite of China II" as "China's Small Seafood Town." With 590,000 mu (approximately 1,000 acres) of shallow waters, 210,000 mu (approximately 1,000 acres) of mudflats, and 190,000 mu (approximately 1,000 acres) of marine aquaculture, this small seafood town, built on the seaside, remains open even during the fishing ban period.
@Chen Caisheng/Photo
Nestled between mountains and sea, thousands of authentic fishing villages offer a unique charm. The vast expanse of the sea, etched here by the vast sea, imbues this coastal town with a unique sense of calm and tranquility. The deep ocean nurtures the island's simple and kindhearted fishermen, making it a haven for photographers.
Bean Sprout Tribe@Sanmen Cultural Tourism
Sanmen, Taizhou, is a treasure trove of southern Zhejiang, a 1.5-hour high-speed train ride from Hangzhou and a 30-minute drive from Ningbo. With spring in full bloom, why not take advantage of the May Day holiday and head to Sanmen?
Three Gatescheck the details
Sanmen County, under the jurisdiction of Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province, is located in the northern coastal area of Taizhou City. It borders Tiantai Mountain to the west, Sanmen Bay to the east, Ninghai County of Ningbo City to the north, and Linhai City to the south. It lies in the middle of China's "Golden Coastline," bordering Ningbo to the north and Wenzhou to the south, and serves as the southern wing of the Shanghai Economic Zone. As a coastal county, Sanmen County boasts unique natural resources, including abundant aquatic resources. It is the leading county in Zhejiang Province for marine aquaculture and is known as the "Hometown of Blue Crabs in China," as well as the "Hometown of Prawns, Oysters, and Razor Clams in Zhejiang Province." With 122 islands and islands, it is known as the "Fairyland of the Sea." Tourist attractions include the Shepan Island Tourist Area, the Tingpang Uprising Memorial Hall, Duobao Lecture Temple, the only Tibetan Tantric Zen monastery in Jiangnan, and the Qiushui Grand Canyon.
Recommended month: All seasons
4873 recommendations, 3660 visits
Three Gates
The treasure town unearthed by CCTV
The secret garden on the sea favored by the camera
/ Kuotangshan Island /
@Chen Xiao/Photo
Nearly half of Sanmen Bay's 122 islands are located in the southeastern Niutouyang waters. Kuotangshan Island, the third largest island in Sanmen, boasts the most unique topography. Millions of years of sculpting have shaped the island's east and south sides into a unique sea-erosion landscape rarely seen in China.
@Zhu Yunlei/Photo
Known as the "China Reef Museum," Kuotangshan Island, composed of reddish-brown pyroclastic tuff, is renowned for its diverse reefs and rock formations. Under the constant erosion of the waves, hundreds of pictographic landscapes have formed a nearly ten-mile-long reef and cave system, including the "Gate of Life," "Dragon Emerging from the Sea," and "Black Reef," among other bizarre formations.
Tips:
Although the island is sparsely visited by tourists, transportation to the island is very convenient. It only takes a few minutes to arrive by ferry from Fangshan Wharf. If you find a knowledgeable fisherman to lead the way, you may even be able to experience the childhood fun of picking up treasures on the mudflats.
/ Shepan Island /
Visual Travel Photo @Zhao Gaoxiang Moor/Photo
Some say this was once a pirate kingdom, others a land of barbarians. Shepan Island, Taizhou's largest island, is easily defended and difficult to attack. It was once a gathering place for generations of desperate pirates, a long-standing stronghold. Through the vicissitudes of time, the once passionate journeys have long been eroded by time, but they have been carved into exquisite art that survives to this day.
@Xue Qiang/Photo
@Linfeng/Photo
Known as the "Fairyland of the Sea," Shepan Island boasts a millennium of stone quarrying. Thousands of caves, each one unique, within another, stretching horizontally and vertically, are a human miracle forged with each axe and chisel, earning it the nickname "Thousand Cave Island." The high-quality stone produced locally has made this island the birthplace of Sanmen stone window art.
Tips:
You can take a ferry to the island from Sanmen Shangao Wharf. If you drive, you may also want to bring your car to the island for more convenient travel. In addition to the three major attractions on the island, namely the Savage Cave, Pirate Village, and Mud Slide Park, the Lion Ridge Viewing Platform is also a great place to watch the sunrise over the sea.
@Zheng Zhidi/Photo
Shepan Island was used for exterior filming in the 1934 film "Fisherman's Song." Today, Fisherman's Song Road is the island's main seafood street, where you can feast on blue crabs, jumping fish, tide-caught fish, and razor clams at any restaurant.
Tips:
Recommended seafood restaurants:
1. Sanmen Yufang Seafood Stall (50 meters forward from Shepan Island Pier)
2. Yutangwan Farmhouse Paradise (Shanqian Village, Shepan Island)
3. Shepan Island Resort Hotel Restaurant (Huangnidong Village, Shepan Island)
4. Yuwang Seafood Stall (80 meters forward from Shepan Island Pier)
5. Island food stalls (Shepan Island Ferry Terminal)
/ Huaqiao Town /
Visual Travel Photo @ Tamsui Riverside/Photo
@Ren Xiuling/Photo
Huaqiao is a bridge, a village, and a town.
Journey down Sanmen Bay and up Puba Harbor to Huaqiao. Once a vibrant trading center, it even housed a government office during the Qing Dynasty. With the vicissitudes of life, the town gradually faded into the depths of history, becoming little known.
@Chen Xia/Photo
Huaqiao razor clams are known for their thin shells, plump, white flesh, and sweet taste. Huaqiao Guantou Seafood Street, located near a 10,000-acre small seafood pond, serves up delicious home-cooked clams in under 20 minutes, attracting even Sanmen locals.
Tips:
Recommended seafood restaurants:
1. Hongqi Farmhouse Paradise (Guantoutang Doumentou, Huaqiao Town)
2. Hongqitang Seafood Restaurant (Guantou Village, Huaqiao Town)
3. Ali Seafood Restaurant (Guantou Village, Huaqiao Town)
/ Jiantiao Town /
@Liang Minhui/Photo
@阿管在路/Photo
Every summer in Sanmen, Taizhou, has a favorite spot: Mushao Beach. Named after the village where it's located, Mushao Beach is considered one of the lesser-known yet most beautiful beaches on the eastern coast of Zhejiang. The sand here is exceptionally pure and fine, appearing like scattered gold in the sun, yet the waves can easily ripple through your path.
The Dafu Yitian Garden Scenic Area will officially open on May 1st. This is a place steeped in the culture of the 24 solar terms. Enjoy the charming beauty of spring amidst the refreshing spring rains, savor the leisurely summer heat, experience the changing seasons amidst the lingering dew and frost of autumn, and sip tea and admire the scenery amidst the snowy winter weather.
This is a paradise filled with childhood memories. Shennong Bagua Fields, with over fifty varieties of flowers and plants thriving, offers a glimpse into the "life" that countless people yearn for. Experience a myriad of parent-child activities, including fruit picking, sugar making, soy milk grinding, paper cutting, flower arranging, and pottery making. Experience the joy and sense of accomplishment that comes from hands-on work.
"Mang Zhong" will be held from May 1st to 5th. The music will be exciting and mysterious big names will come, presenting an audio-visual feast!
@nbdpf/Photo
For true seafood lovers, the pier is a must. Rising early, the harbor is already bustling with people. Jiantiao Pier is a popular seafood market for locals. Buy your seafood, head to the pier's food stalls, pay a processing fee, and a table full of seafood will appear in no time, a feast for both the palate and the eyes.
Tips:
Recommended seafood restaurants:
1. Fishing Port Hotel (86 Qinjiang Road, Jiantiao Town)
2. Jiantiao Fisherman's Wharf (southwest of Jianyuan Aquatic Products, Jiantiao Town)
3. Home Inn (No. 172, Wenjiao Road, Jiantiao Town)
4. Xiaoqiang Seafood Restaurant (next to Jiantiao Pier, Jiantiao Town)
5. Xinxing Hotel (No. 18, Qinjiang Road, Jiantiao Town)
/ Shaliu Street /
@Ge Min/Photo
At an altitude of 550 meters, lies Qixin Valley, a secret valley closest to the sea in East China. From April to May, vast expanses of moss pink flowers cascade down the thousand-meter-long slopes, unbridled and unrestrained in their dazzling beauty, a breathtaking sight.
@Xue Qiang/Photo
There are also many popular online attractions worth checking out in Qixin Valley: ladders, rotating swings, screaming fountains, colorful slides... All the popular items on Xiaohongshu that you once envied and coveted are here!
As the northern gateway to Sanmen, Shaliu is a quintessential fishing village. 7,000 mu (approximately 1,000 acres) of offshore aquaculture mudflats provide a unique environment for seafood. The steamer seafood feast is a local specialty! Small seafood is simply placed in a steamer, and the resulting dish is filled with fresh, delicious ingredients.
Tips:
Recommended seafood tasting place: Dazhou Village, Chuanbangli, Shaliu Street, Sanmen County
/ Pubagang Town /
@Ge Min/Photo
Far from the bustling tourist areas, Niuweitang Beach is a pristine stretch of sand hidden for half a century. This narrow, approximately 100-meter-long beach, battered by waves for millennia, has condensed gravel and white shells into a unique "sand knot" landscape, creating a rugged, rugged look.
@竹海浪花/Photo
A few dozen kilometers from Pubagang Town lies Yujia'ao Village, renowned for its fresh seafood. With over 2,000 mu (approximately 1,000 hectares) of aquaculture mudflats, it's a popular spot for out-of-town diners to spend a few days during the holidays, enjoying the seafood.
Tips:
Recommended seafood tasting spot: Yujiaao Village, Pubagang Town, Sanmen County
/ Dongping Ancient Village /
Bean Sprout Tribe @阿管在路/Photo
Time flows from ancient times to the present day, and countless years have passed, yet it has been particularly gentle to Dongping Village. Nestled in the heart of Qiushui Mountain in Hengdu Town, Dongping, one of Sanmen's oldest ancient villages, was founded during the Southern and Northern Dynasties and enjoys the reputation of being southeastern Zhejiang's "Museum of Ancient Architecture from the Ming and Qing Dynasties."
Bean Sprout Tribe@Sanmen Cultural Tourism
To the west of Dongping Ancient Village, on Daopeng Mountain, about 500 meters above sea level, more than 1,000 acres of wild alpine rhododendrons, over a hundred years old, are in full bloom, showing their most moving smiles to travelers climbing the mountain trails.
Tips:
Navigate to Dongping Village, Hengdu Town, Sanmen. There are signs directing you to the foot of Daopeng Mountain, and then drive to the top of the mountain. Dongping Hongzhuang Museum is 10 yuan per person.
/ Tingpang Town /
Mafengwo@阿管在路/Photo
Upon first sighting the pavilion, I was struck by the beauty of the terraced fields. The countryside, with its ever-changing landscapes, constantly reveals its vibrant colors. However, one color remains, regardless of the seasons. It has permeated the land surrounding the pavilion, quietly and leisurely, maintaining its profound meaning.
Tingpang Town is known as "the place where the red flag of Zhejiang flew first." Ninety-one years ago, Zhejiang Province's first district-level Soviet regime was established on this land, igniting a prairie fire. Today, the Tingpang Uprising Monument still stands on the northern hill of Yangjia Village, and the remains of the Soviet Square remain in the town. The smoke of war may be far away, but the memory will live on.
Sanmen Food
A seafood paradise sought after by major food variety shows
No one can escape the "true fragrance law" of seafood
If you come to Sanmen, the happiest moment in Sanmen must be eating seafood at a seafood restaurant while feeling the sea breeze.
/ Jumping Fish /
Thanks to the TV series "A Bite of China," Sanmen's jumping fish has become widely known. Its tender, boneless, and less fatty meat is chewy and smooth. It's commonly prepared in soup, braised with soybean noodles, or deep-fried. Sanmen residents love to smoke it until it's blackened and cook it into a delicious tanghu porridge.
/ Blue Crab /
Known as the "Hometown of Chinese Blue Crabs," Sanmen's blue crabs are renowned for their delicious flavor. Authentic Sanmen blue crabs are small, with thin, easily cracked shells. Their meat is tender and slightly sweet, making them delicious even when simply steamed. A 7-8 tael Sanmen blue crab, freshly slaughtered and stir-fried, yields fresh, sweet, and rich crabmeat—a truly addictive dish!
/ Sanmen Watching the Tide /
"The meat of Wangchao is crispy, tender and chewy, and is the most famous specialty of the fishermen in the East China Sea." Wangchao is a small octopus. After rolling it in boiling water for a few times, you can take it out and eat it with soy sauce and vinegar. It tastes so delicious!
/ Blood Clam /
Anyone who sees blood clams for the first time will be frightened by their bloody appearance, but little do they know how delicious they are. Blood clams should not be overcooked; just blanch them briefly in boiling water, otherwise they will be bland and tasteless.
/ Razor Clams /
The fertile mudflats of Sanmen Bay offer the perfect combination of humidity, temperature, and sunshine, resulting in thinner shells, more tender meat, and less sand. The resulting clams are incredibly delicious! Even simply steamed, they're incredibly delicious.
In fact, Sanmen has many more hidden snacks besides seafood. The smoky aroma wafting from small kitchens and the friendly voices shouting in the streets and alleys have a kind of magic that touches the heart and is loved by the people of Sanmen.
/ Songhua Pancake /
@Little Red Book-Photo by Fan Danping
Songhuabing (pine flower cake) is a favorite traditional snack among Sanmen locals. Made primarily from white sugar, natural pine pollen, and glutinous rice flour, the freshly fried cake boasts a rich pine aroma, infused with the sweet aroma of glutinous rice, making it a truly delicious treat.
/ Wheat Cake /
@小红书-Ting cousin/photo
The wheat cakes of Sanmen are characterized by their availability in both savory and sweet varieties. The sweet ones are filled with sesame and seaweed, leaving a lingering fragrance. The savory ones are filled with dried shrimp, chopped green onions, diced meat, dried tofu, or eggs, and are commonly known as "five-spice wheat cakes."
/ japonica /
@靚Eleanor/Photo
Sanmen's jing (glutinous rice dumplings) are commonly called bianshi (flatbreads) in other parts of Taizhou. They're similar in shape to dumplings, but with a richer filling than wontons. The dough is flexible and chewy, and the filling is rich and substantial. Steamed flatbreads, in particular, have a thin, almost transparent wrapper.
/ Mochi /
Sanmen mochi comes in two flavors: sweet and savory. The salty version is fried with egg, while the sweet version is coated in brown sugar and sprinkled with cooked soybean powder. Both are soft and sticky. I highly recommend the sugar-rolled mochi and the egg mochi; they're unforgettable.
Tips:
Recommended snack shops:
1. Yangji Seafood Restaurant (No. 2-36, Qiushui Avenue, Haiyou Street, Dahutang New District)
2. Psoralea corylifolia pancake (No. 1, Building 13, Oasis Mingyuan, Binhai Avenue, Haiyou Street, Dahutang New District)
3. Fatty Auntie’s Steamed Buns (No. 6 Shangyang Road, Haiyou Street, Sanmen Old Town)
4. No. 1 Bakery (No. 27, Shangyang Road, Haiyou Street, Sanmen Old Town)
Travel Guide
Transportation: From Hangzhou, it takes about 3 hours to drive, and 1.5 hours by high-speed rail. From Shanghai, it takes about 4 hours to drive, and 2.5 hours by high-speed rail.
B&B recommendation: There are many farmhouses in Sanmen that provide food and accommodation, and the construction is also very complete. Most of them are located in fishing villages and towns, so you can choose freely according to your itinerary.
