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There is a small town that is a frequent guest on CCTV, but it is still unknown in Zhejiang, and all its brilliance is overshadowed by Zhoushan and Ningbo.
There are rich and magnificent mountain and sea landscapes here, but it has always been low-key and beautiful, and it also hides a "Fairyland on the Sea" with a unique terrain.
There are thousands of authentic fishing villages here, with unique customs and natural beauty, and the beautiful scenery of fishing boats singing in the evening.
It has 590,000 acres of shallow sea, 210,000 acres of mudflats, and 190,000 acres of marine aquaculture bases. There are countless freshly caught seafoods that can be enjoyed all year round.
Picture @CCTV "Small Seafood"
Hidden along this 227-kilometer coastline are 122 islands! This is Taizhou Sanmen, the "Hometown of Small Seafood in China."
Sanmen County, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, has a permanent population of less than 400,000. This small town, a 15-minute drive from one end to the other, became Zhejiang Province's third county-level high-speed rail departure station in 2018.
It's only 1.5 hours from Hangzhou and 3 hours from Shanghai, and you can reach Sanmen directly, where you can start your seafood adventure! Spend two days in Sanmen, enjoying the sea breeze, tasting seafood, and having a relaxing weekend!
Picture @CCTV "Small Seafood"
Many of Sanmen's beautiful mountains and rivers are located around Sanmen Bay, and the mountains and rivers coexist with the bay. Climbing to the top of the mountain, you can overlook the beautiful sea view of Sanmen Bay and the magnificent coast of the East China Sea.
There are 122 islands in Sanmen Bay, half of which are located in the southeastern waters, making it a "lake of a hundred islands on the sea."
Known as the "Fairyland of the Sea," Shepan Island boasts a millennium of quarrying history. If you could witness its extraordinary landscape, you wouldn't mistake it for an ordinary coastal island.
It is also known as the "Cave of a Thousand Islands". Some people say that this was the kingdom of pirates many years ago. The Savage Cave in it shows the miracle of the "remaining mountain" after thousands of years of axe carving.
The high-quality stones produced here make Shepan Island the birthplace of Sanmen stone window art.
The countless stone ponds are the landmark landscape of Shepan Island. They are all miracles of mankind forged by axes and chisels.
Millennia of quarrying and the locals' cave-dwelling culture have given the island its unique scenery. Besides the Savage Cave, Pirate Village, Slippery Mud Park, and Lion Ridge Observation Deck, the island is also an excellent spot for watching the sunrise over the sea.
Mushao Beach, facing Sanmen Bay and backed by Paotai Mountain, gets its name from the village where it is located. It is one of the lesser-known yet most beautiful beaches on the eastern coast of Zhejiang.
The sand at Mushao Beach is exceptionally fine and soft, and the distant mountains rise and fall against the backdrop of blue sky, white clouds and waves.
On sunny and windless days, the sea water becomes crystal clear, shimmering in the sunlight, which is particularly breathtaking.
"The mountains on all sides are picturesque, and there is no day in the year when I don't watch the tide"
Located in the heart of Qiushui Mountain in Hengdu Town and backed by Longmu Mountain, Dongping Ancient Village is one of the earliest ancient villages in Sanmen and is known as the "village in Chinese paintings."
Dongping Ancient Village was first built during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, and its residents still maintain a simple lifestyle. The clear Aoli Creek flows through the village, dividing it into two parts, resembling a slowly unfolding screen, hence the name Dongping Village.
The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, meticulously built by generations of clan members, is a breathtakingly beautiful building with carved beams and painted rafters. The thick walls, narrow alleys, narrow windows, and flying eaves still speak of its former grandeur and glory.
Chen Danqing said, “People will look better when they go to the art museum.”
The banks of the Baixi River, which we crossed, have almost all the elements of an ideal pastoral life: a breeze-filled riverbank, reeds on the shallows, and gurgling streams...
Walking in, a uniquely shaped white art museum rises from the ground, which is eye-catching. Hengdu Art Museum is the most unique feature of the Baixi Ecotourism Belt.
Nestled among rice paddies, the white building, each brick and tile, exudes a sense of art and nature, evoking a sense of tranquility. There's also an 800-year-old camphor tree, and a close-up shot of it looks like something out of a Hayao Miyazaki film!
Panjia Town is located in the hinterland of Qiushui Mountain, the highest peak in Sanmen. The forest coverage rate here is over 80%, and it is known as the "Green Lung of Eastern Zhejiang".
Stroll along Shuifang Street, where the clear river serves as a natural swimming pool and water park. Browse the shops, watch veteran artisans make glutinous rice cakes, and sample authentic farm-style dishes. Set aside your worries and enjoy the authentic joys of farm life.
For a thrilling experience, head to Lover's Valley. The glass suspension bridge is a treat for the brave, offering breathtaking views of the canyon below. There's also China's first double couple's slide, boasting a 131.4-meter drop – a truly adrenaline-pumping experience!
Even during the fishing ban period in Sanmen, you can still enjoy a lot of seafood, and the various docks are good dining places.
Jiantiao is Sanmen's most famous pier. If you ask where to buy the freshest seafood, 9 out of 10 people will tell you to go to Jiantiao. If you're lucky enough to come across a few fishing boats returning from the sea, what a treat!
After shopping, you can walk to the farmhouse restaurant by the pier, pay the processing fee, and then you can feast on a table full of seafood, feel the sea breeze, drink cold beer, and watch the fishing boats return in the sunset. It is a feast for both your taste buds and your eyes.
Every county, city and town in Taizhou has its own killer weapon, and around the Mid-Autumn Festival, Sanmen County jumped to the top. The CCTV documentary "Small Seafood", which is still very popular today, also made it a legend.
Above picture @CCTV "Small Seafood"
Sanmen Bay boasts a winding coastline, numerous harbors, vast mudflats, and moderate salinity. The fresh water and abundant food sources allow the blue crabs here to thrive and achieve exceptional quality. Blue crab farming began in Sanmen during the Qianlong Emperor's reign in the Qing Dynasty.
Image @ Tencent Video
Sanmen blue crab has the large body and rich meat of sea crab and the sweet and delicious taste of lake crab. The crab meat is white and crystal clear, and the meat is short and slender. It tastes like scallops and leaves a fragrant fragrance on your hands. Simply steaming it will make seafood lovers drool.
There are also steamed blue crabs with ginger and yellow wine, braised blue crabs, and blue crabs drunk with Huadiao wine... Just for this delicious taste, you have to come to Sanmen!
Picture @CCTV "Small Seafood"
The tide-watching fish usually lives in mud holes on the beach. When the tide rises, it crawls out of the hole to look out, hence the name "tide-watching fish". It is the "signature dish" of fishermen in the East China Sea.
Picture @CCTV "A Bite of China 2"
It is the smallest of the octopuses. Despite its small size, its flesh is very firm, and the tentacles in particular are very chewy. Wangchao can be stir-fried, braised, or boiled, but people prefer steaming or boiling it for its original flavor.
Picture @CCTV "Small Seafood"
Boil the octopus for a few seconds in boiling water, then remove it and serve with soy sauce and vinegar. The smaller the octopus, the firmer its texture, and the firmer it becomes after cooking. It's crispy and flavorful, making it a perfect accompaniment to alcohol.
Also known as mudskippers, jumping fish are small and agile. Fishermen use 5-meter fishing rods and 6-meter fishing lines, casting their rods from 10 meters away with precise strikes to catch these clever little fish, which slink across the mudflats. This has made them one of Sanmen's signature attractions.
The fish's active and bouncy nature makes it tender, boneless, and smooth. Its rich protein and fat content earn it the nickname "Sea Ginseng," making it a highly nutritious and nourishing food.
Simply add some scallions, ginger, garlic, and cooking wine to create a delicious and sweet fish stew. There's also the unique "jumping fish" stewed with soybean noodles and the crispy and delicious "deep-fried jumping fish"...
There are a large number of barnacles and Buddha's hands growing on the islands and reefs in Sanmen Bay. Although they look ordinary, the picking process is extremely dangerous. Fishermen must tie a safety rope around their waists and escape before the waves hit, otherwise they will be swept into the sea.
Picture @CCTV "Small Seafood"
Fortunately, the deliciousness of barnacles and bergamot is worth the hard work. They do not require any seasoning. Simply stewing them will bring out all the sweetness and the taste is so rich that it is explosive. You must try them when you come to Sanmen!
Picture @CCTV "Small Seafood"
In addition to these, there are also large, thin-shelled, fresh razor clams, chewy small white shrimps and clams, smooth, soft and crispy sand garlic and mud snails...
If you come to Sanmen, the happiest moment must be when you are eating seafood at a seafood stall while feeling the sea breeze. The seafood is rich, fragrant, delicious, plump and tender, and every bite is sweet and fresh, leaving a lingering fragrance on your lips and teeth.
Why not join us for a trip to Sanmen? We'll visit Shepan Island, catch seafood in the mud, and experience the "pirate vibe" at Savage Cave.
Then go to Panjia Town for a "mountain and wilderness exploration", play in the waves, dig sand and feel the sea breeze at Mushao Beach, and finally end your Taizhou trip with the freshest blue crabs from Jiantiao Pier!
It only takes 1.5 hours from Hangzhou. Find a weekend and come to Sanmen for a walk. There are few people, beautiful scenery, and you can also eat seafood. At night, we will light a bonfire and make up for all the regrets of summer by the sea in early autumn!
