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Steamed, steamed in a pot, with garlic, braised, stir-fried with green onions, baked with salt... Which is your favorite way to eat swimming crab?
As we all know, it's a great time to eat swimming crabs recently! Of course, it's not just swimming crabs. For foodies and seafood lovers, the biggest good news recently is the lifting of the fishing ban!
Every year's fishing festival is always an eye-opener, and there are really many foodies. The live broadcast of the 2021 fishing festival attracted 400,000 netizens to watch online at the same time!
After a long three-month fishing moratorium, nearly a thousand fishing boats have set sail one after another, embarking on a new round of sea farming journey. Foodies finally have the opportunity to feast on fresh seafood again!
Despite the recent heavy rain, one thing that hasn't stopped us from enjoying seafood is island hopping! Here, I've found five small islands perfect for a stroll and a meal after the fishing season! The seafood is delicious, the sea breeze is gentle, and in this beautiful autumn weather, follow me as I savor the scenery and enjoy a delicious meal!
đź“ŤNingbo, Zhejiang
When it comes to the fishing festival, the first place that comes to mind is definitely Ningbo Xiangshan. Xiangshan Fishing Festival is also known as China Fishing Festival or Shipu Fishing Festival.
The Fishing Festival arrives, accompanied by blaring drums and music, the blast of firecrackers, and a spectacular spectacle. Over 2,700 fishing boats set sail from the Zhoushan dock, steaming towards the Yangtze River estuary fishing grounds. The crews are eager to catch the first swimming crab since the start of the fishing season.
Xiangshan is located on the coast of the East China Sea, surrounded by the sea on three sides and embraced by two ports. Its Shipu Fishing Port is one of the four largest fishing ports in China. In addition, it is also home to the country's largest aquatic product trading market, providing an excellent entry point for seafood. Xiangshan's reputation as the "hometown of swimming crabs" is not for nothing.
Come to Shipu, you will definitely eat so much seafood that you will have to hold on to the wall!
Near Shipu lies Hua'ao Island, home to Zhejiang's first marine geological park. With 36 valleys and 108 caves, each valley boasts stunning scenery and each cave is filled with fairyland, earning it the reputation of "a fairyland of sea and mountains, a city on earth known as Yingzhou."
As one of the world's three largest volcanic landforms, Hua'ao Island boasts majestic landscapes and numerous bays. Its steep cliffs and abundant columnar rock joints have earned it the nickname "The First Stone Forest on the Sea." Yet, it remains a virgin tourist destination, preserving the pristine charm of the sea. The islanders' generations of reliance on the sea have fostered a rich and diverse fishing culture and customs.
On Hua'ao Island, the mention of swimming crabs brings joy to the people. Boats sail out to sea, hauling back a full load of live shrimp, crabs, mussels, and scallops, ready to be cooked and enjoyed immediately!
Hua'ao Island is rich in unique natural resources. Not only can you learn about marine culture and fisherman culture, but you can also explore the mysteries of mudflats and salt fields.
Hua'ao Salt Field is the last salt field in Xiangshan. As the sun sets, the salt field is surrounded by gold and blue, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene in every frame.
There are many more interesting ways to play, such as digging clams, catching jumping fish, setting traps, picking sea duck eggs, DIYing island succulents, exploring the East China Sea Stone Forest... Come to the mudflat battle and experience the daily life of the indigenous people on the island!
đź“ŤZhejiang Zhoushan
Zhoushan, Zhejiang is located in the East China Sea on the south side of the Yangtze River estuary. The ocean currents converge in the sea area and the nutrients are abundant. It is especially rich in swimming crabs, large yellow croaker, small yellow croaker, hairtail and cuttlefish. It is also one of the four major marine fishing grounds in my country.
Yanwa Island, located in the southeastern corner of the Zhoushan Archipelago, boasts scenery comparable to the Maldives and is one of China's earliest privately contracted islands. Amidst lush greenery and vibrant birds, the island boasts a rich ecological environment, boasting a turquoise bay comparable to Dongji Island's. With its verdant mountains, sandy beaches, unique reefs, and grotesque rocks, it was once named one of Zhejiang's "Most Beautiful Islands" online.
Only 100 people can enter the island every day, and no one can enter without a reservation. There are no residents on the island, it is truly one island, one hotel, and one beach.
The island boasts a 2.58-kilometer-long trail, shaded by greenery and boasting a pristine ecosystem, creating a refreshing natural oxygen bar. Strolling the island, you'll be greeted by the boundless sea and rolling hills in the distance, and the occasional sight of wild rabbits and birds nearby, creating a feeling of stepping into Alice in Wonderland.
Here, you can greet the sunrise over the sea and the sparkling waves in the morning, watch the sunset in the west and the leisurely clouds in the evening, and enjoy the silver moon and the brilliant starry sky at night.
In Zhoushan, going fishing and enjoying seafood freedom is a must! Returning by nightfall with a full load of seafood, you'll build a bonfire on the beach and enjoy a barbecue dinner with shrimp, crabs, mantis shrimp, and free-flowing beer!
Here you can quietly savor the delicious food, or have a drink with friends. At this moment, all you need to do is leave behind happy memories!
đź“ŤZhejiang Zhoushan
The name of Flower and Bird Island sounds beautiful. Its shape is like a seagull spreading its wings to fly. The island is full of flowers and plants and beautiful forests.
Huaniao Island, located in Shengsi County, Zhoushan City, Zhejiang Province, is one of the two islands closest to the East China Sea, along with Goji Island. The TV series "Ode to Joy 2" was also filmed here.
Here, you'll find azure seas, fine sandy beaches, and a blue and white architecture. It evokes a romantic, seaside charm reminiscent of Santorini. At the northern end, a century-old lighthouse, built in 1870, has survived years of war.
Because the number of people allowed on the island is limited, there will never be a huge crowd here, preserving its original tranquility and peace.
Zhoushan is famous for its small seafood during the fishing season. Fish, shrimp, and crabs can be in the sea one moment and in your bowl the next. Hurry and savor these two bites to make the most of nature's gifts!
đź“ŤWenzhou, Zhejiang
The Nanji Islands are located in the East China Sea, 30 nautical miles off the mouth of the Aojiang River. With its picturesque mountains, peculiar rocks, beautiful beaches, and verdant grasses, the islands boast a unique ecological environment. They are known as the "Blue Pasture," "Ice Sea Fairyland," and "Kingdom of Shells and Algae," and their abundant seafood is one of the reasons they are highly sought after.
Tired of island beach photography? Overcrowded with popular tourist spots? Nanji Island offers no such worries. Enjoy pristine lawns, expansive views, a deep blue sea, and steep, dark gray cliffs—the Instagram-inspired color scheme is beyond captivating!
The best beach here is Dashaao, which is rare in the world and the only one in China formed by shell sandification. The sand is extremely fine and soft.
Mazuao is located west of Nanji Island, offering a wide view. As the sun sets, seabirds return to their nests, the sky fills with sunset clouds, and the sea and sky merge into one, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene.
After the fishing season begins, Nanji Island is filled with vibrant seas and delicious seafood. You won't want to miss it!
đź“ŤLeizhou, Guangdong
Not only in Zhejiang, the Fishing Festival in Guangdong is also very lively.
In the southwest of the Leizhou Peninsula in Guangdong Province lies Wushi Town, a fishing port town boasting over 600 years of history, known for its simple folk customs and abundant resources. Wushi Port, a national-level central fishing port, is a vibrant fishing festival that brings the usually quiet town to life. Firecrackers blare, flags flutter, and fishing boats line up in Haikou. At precisely 12:00 a.m., thousands of boats set sail, creating a spectacular spectacle.
Fishing boats here go out to sea, fishing near the waters for two or three days before returning. Those fishing further out have to sail as far as the Qiongzhou Strait, taking seven or eight days to return. Large fishing nets stretch as far as ten nautical miles, and just pulling them in can take over a dozen hours!
The busy figures in the drying fish field recreate the daily life of fishermen. It is fresh and interesting for mainland children like You Xiaojun.
Wushi Town's sunsets and beaches are also breathtaking. It's the only place on the west coast of mainland China where you can watch the sunset, earning it the nickname "China's Most Beautiful Sunset Observation Spot." Yet, few tourists know about this spot. It's a perfect spot for photography enthusiasts, sunset watchers, and seafood lovers!
You may not know Wushi Town, but you're certainly familiar with the nearby "Sea of ​​Pineapples." Xuwen, Zhanjiang, has become incredibly popular in the past two years, producing half of China's pineapples. This small county, at the southernmost tip of mainland China, boasts 350,000 mu (approximately 1,000 acres) of pineapple cultivation, and the air is filled with the sweet aroma of pineapples.
After eating the pineapple, we can go all the way to Antarctic Village. The Arctic Village is far away, but the Antarctic Village is very close. The azure waters of the South China Sea and the gray-blue Beibu Gulf meet and embrace in the "arms" of Jiaowei, forming a magnificent and sentimental double sea spectacle.
Let's surf the southern tip of the mainland together! Stroll through Chikan Old Street and the ancient town, and witness the lively atmosphere of the Nanyang arcades.
Whether you love food or seafood, don't miss this gift from the ocean during the Fishing Festival. Seafood connoisseurs, how do you eat swimming crabs? Foodies, drooling, waiting for you in the comments section~
