Live Your Best Lives
This article is reprinted from @诗画浙江文化旅资讯
Bean Sprout Tribe @Mr. Wu/Photo
After three months of hard work, the ban on thousands of fishing boats along the eastern Zhejiang coast has been lifted, and all kinds of fresh seafood are gradually surfacing. As my country's only national-level archipelago scenic area, it is the estuary of the Yangtze and Qiantang Rivers and the center of the nationally renowned Zhoushan fishing grounds.
Picture @ "The Journey of Crabs"
When it comes to seafood, everyone here is an undisputed expert, and seafood is a common local dish. Steamed, pickled, pickled, stewed, mixed, stir-fried, deep-fried, boiled, braised, or seasoned with salt and pepper...
You sing and I take the stage, and the meals are rarely repeated. Just looking at the pictures, tears flowed from the corners of my mouth.
Bean Sprout Tribe @Along Rico/Photo
Because it's far from land, the water here is always very blue, so blue that it's hard to tell apart from the sky; because there are no bright lights at night, you can look up and see the shining Milky Way...
Compared to the bustling Sanya, this island city offers a touch of purity and freshness. Zhuangzi's South and North Seas, Cao Mengde's East Facing Jieshi, and Zhang Jiuling's Bright Moon Over the Sea can all be found here.
Bean Sprout Tribe @Running Little Dongdong/Photo
Zhoushan Shengsi is a beautiful and relaxing island city with a year-round appeal. Its 404 islands, facing the vast East China Sea, are enough to captivate visitors at first sight and captivate them again.
Bean Sprout Tribe @ Giant Cat Angie/Photo
There are sandy beaches that are "yellow as gold flakes and soft as moss", the "first lighthouse in the Far East", the bustling port where fishing lights "illuminate the islands in the Coral Sea", and the pure white romance of Santorini... On each island, the sea view is natural, the ecology is natural, but life is full of fireworks.
Bean Sprout Tribe @Linfeng/Photo
With the arrival of the last dog days of summer, the summer heat has subsided. Since we can't leave the province due to the pandemic, why not come to Shengsi? At night, the savory aroma of seafood wafting from the dock stalls fills the entire fishing island with a lively atmosphere. The chance to enjoy fresh, firsthand food alone is worth the trip!
Even the most discerning taste buds can enjoy it
Bean Sprout Tribe @Yuyoutianxia/Photo
According to incomplete statistics, there are nearly a thousand species of fish, more than a hundred species of shrimp, crab and shellfish, and dozens of other seaweed and seafood in the East China Sea. It is truly a "seafood treasure house" favored by nature!
A trip to Shengsi is all about delicious seafood. Fresh catches arrive at the port early in the morning, drawing gourmets eager to catch the scent. A wide variety of fish, shrimp, and crabs, both named and unnamed, are transformed into delicious dishes in the blink of an eye.
Fat hairtail that is three or four fingers wide, chewy and soft red shrimps, swimming crabs overflowing with crab roe, plump mantis shrimps... Simple boiling, steaming and roasting are the biggest test of the freshness of the ingredients; paired with a small dish of homemade sauce and vinegar, it is enough to bring out the delicious flavor of the fusion of mountains and seas.
Picture @ "The Journey of Crabs"
The fishing moratorium has ended, and fishermen have returned from their expeditions to the sea, bringing back the long-awaited swimming crabs. Swimming crabs are a delicacy indispensable on the Shengsi dining table, and the locals have a hundred and eight ways to enjoy them. After a full summer, the crabs are now at their most plump, with generous portions of meat and roe.
Picture @ "The Journey of Crabs"
Seawater + salt are cleverly fermented over time, and a delicious stir-fried crab brings out the original flavor of the seafood to the extreme; or you can simply use scallion oil to awaken the flavor after steaming. The crab roe is condensed by high temperature, and it is bright yellow and shiny, which can easily captivate you.
According to northerners, hairtail is typically fried or braised to mask its fishy flavor, but Shengsi's hairtail can be steamed directly, sprinkled with just a hint of salt, and served clear and white. It's said that fish that sails across the ocean imbues itself with the flavor of the sea breeze, and the fish's salty and savory qualities are perhaps a result of its immersion in the sea.
A favorite among fishermen out at sea is this pot of hairtail and radish rice. It's a two-in-one meal, saving time and effort while filling your stomach and enjoying the freshness of the hairtail and the juiciness of the radish. Shengsi hairtail has few bones and soft thorns, and its meat is thick and smooth. There's always a thick layer of fat under the skin, and the fat belly is very tempting.
Coastal residents love fish, seemingly always having fresh food on their tables 365 days a year. They'd rather live without meat than without fish. Summer is the perfect season for pomfret. "Its tail is like a swallow's scissors, its bones are soft and its meat is white, its taste surpasses all other fish." Seeing the ancients' endless praise for pomfret, I can't help but feel a surge of excitement.
The most common ways to prepare silver pomfret are with scallion oil, steamed, or braised, which maximizes the original flavor of the sea-caught silver pomfret. Aside from a row of bones in the center, silver pomfret is virtually boneless. It's tender and fresh, making it especially suitable for the elderly, children, and those who struggle to spit out bones. One chopstick and you're in for a truly delicious feast.
Large yellow croaker from Shengsi is not rare, and small yellow croaker is even a common sight. The wide continental shelf of eastern Zhejiang, where saltwater and freshwater meet, creates this fish with exceptionally delicate flesh and a golden, regal appearance. Whether steamed, braised, or smothered in scallion oil... every dish is sure to delight!
The dried yellow croaker, though not as bright and golden as fresh yellow croaker, may appear shrunken, but its flavor is truly exceptional. The salty and fresh flavor of the dried yellow croaker, combined with the juicy and tender pork belly, creates a sublime flavor and aroma in the heat.
Huanglong Island is renowned as the "Home of Shrimp," and its beloved mantis shrimp is also the best here. Blanching, salt and pepper, and simmering mantis shrimp are the three most popular ways to prepare them. Each recipe is easy to learn, allowing even beginners to master the delicious flavor in just one viewing.
Mussels are also known as mussels, commonly known as greens. Shengsi Island, a marine farm dedicated to mussel farming, boasts some of the finest shellfish. Don't miss them! These large, plump, tender, and unpolluted mussels are perfectly cooked and simply blanched to preserve their sweetness. Dip them in soy sauce and take a bite for a mouthful of juiciness.
In Shengsi, cuttlefish is a local obsession. While there are several species of cuttlefish, the most flavorful is the Mansoni's needleless squid, and the most authentic is the large grilled cuttlefish made from it. The pristine white cuttlefish is coated in a caramel-colored marinade, and the aroma wafts from far away. A bite reveals a firm, chewy texture that leaves a lasting impression.
A Zhoushan fishing proverb goes, "Green mackerel and swordfish are more delicious than lamb." Swordfish, with its few bones and abundant fat, is exceptionally delicious when cooked with snow vegetables. It can also be salted and made into "smoked fish," a delicious dish that goes well with rice. In Zhoushan, smoked swordfish is a must-have cold dish during festivals and dinners.
Authentic three-pack croaker is a time-consuming and delicate process, requiring three months and three seasonings to achieve perfection. In Shengsi, if you try an authentic fisherman's meal, you'll almost certainly find croaker in the dish. The firm, chewy flesh, with a savory and savory flavor, is easily appetizing even with simple steaming or cooking.
I was amazed every time I went there.
Bean Sprout Tribe @Jinling Mosquito Bag/Photo
Visit Sijiao and you'll know its reputation as a "fairy mountain on the sea" is well-deserved. Indeed, the soft, fine sandy beaches, the fishing boats crisscrossing the sea, the simple fishing villages, the Zen temples brimming with Buddhist chants... every inch of this scenery will satiate your endless island fantasies.
Liujingtan is the first spot on the island to be hit by sunlight, making it an ideal spot for watching the sunrise over the sea. From a red line drifting across the sea, to a riot of colourful clouds, and then to the universe blending together in a single breath, the sun slowly shines down like the sun. It feels like a thousand years in a flash, and a fleeting moment lasting a thousand years.
Known as one of the most beautiful roads in Zhejiang, the Zuo'an Highway is undoubtedly Shengsi's most famous and scenic coastal road. Driving along it, every frame is a blockbuster.
At the northernmost tip of the Shengsi Archipelago lies a small island, shrouded in flowers and trees and shrouded in mist. Its shape, resembling a seagull about to take flight, earns it the name Flower and Bird Island. Known as the "largest lighthouse in the Far East," the Flower and Bird Lighthouse is a must-see on the island. Its black and white tower, embodying British elegance and simplicity, bears witness to the smoke of the Opium War and symbolizes the watchful eye of love.
The 5-kilometer-long, winding pier line, embedded in the small island, is the only road on Flower and Bird Island, offering panoramic views of the thousands of islands at sea. Five-Finger Rock is one of the best spots for watching the sunset. Sit north facing the sea and watch the sun slowly sink, the ships sparkle, and the island shore dappled with light and shadow...
This is a small island, close yet still azure, with houses nestled among the cliffs and trees. A cliff carving, depicting a "mountain and sea wonder," is Gouqi Island's most striking landmark. Standing atop the island, the massive rock overlooks all life. Since the Ming Dynasty, undaunted by the passage of time, it has witnessed the island's grandeur centuries ago and captured the vibrant lights of the fishing villages.
As a mussel town, in addition to the rich food, you can also see the flourishing mussel farming here all year round. The white floats of the mussels sparkle with silver light under the sunlight, and the fishing boats shuttle through the rippling blue waves, forming a beautiful picture of a sea ranch.
Infinitely close to the high seas and just across a bridge from Goji Island, this is China's easternmost point, the one Han Han missed. With 19.26 kilometers of coastline and crystal-clear waters exceeding three meters, it's one of the largest fishing ports in the East China Sea. Compared to neighboring Goji Island, the scenery here is more unique, more pristine, and more favored by nature.
Bean Sprout Tribe @Guoran Cong/Photo
With the relocation of Houtouwan Village, over 600 abandoned houses have been gradually "swallowed" by nature. Entering this green kingdom where vines grow unchecked, though the doors and windows are dilapidated, a vibrant wild beauty emerges from the desolate past.
Bean Sprout Tribe @ Wu Sheng/Photo
Located on the easternmost side of Shengshan Island, the Dongya Cliff stretches 3,000 meters, jutting 90 degrees into the sea. Its face is as sharp as a sword, slicing through the sky. At its highest point, the drop reaches 70 meters, making it difficult for even nimble birds to traverse it.
Huanglong Island isn't large, and without much commercial activity. Here, it's hard to find any trace of a city: the gray stone houses, gleaming with the luster of time, are home to islanders, some chatting animatedly about family matters, some busy sailing, others busy cooking. Many who visit Huanglong Island miss the authentic, simple, and beautiful fishing life there.
On the southeast side of Huanglong Island, Chibo Mountain is a natural, narrow headland, continuing Huanglong's characteristic rugged character. Chibo Mountain is not high, and even quite gentle, extending gently into the sea. The rocks here are authentic granite, with a warm color that contrasts beautifully with the blue of the sea.
Photo @Bao Ziwen/Photo
Xiaomeishan offers the best vantage point for overlooking the small town of Yangshan, and bears witness to the countless changes that have taken place on Yangshan Island. The view of the shimmering sea, the patchwork of islands, and the Yangshan Deepwater Port, the world's largest port, is truly breathtaking.
Photo @Wu Sheng/Photo
At dusk, you cross the island, passing fishermen's homes and treading the mudflats, the sea breeze chasing your footsteps. Looking up, you see the rolling tide. Standing on the shore, the sunset's crimson glow falls on the immemorial, distant reefs, evoking the loneliness of time and the tranquility of years. When the sky is azure and clear, and wisps of starlight drift into the sea, you can see the dark, serene night, the bustling port, and the peaceful town...
Are you excited to try these foodies? Now is the perfect time to enjoy seafood and explore the islands, so take advantage of the weekend and head out!
