Wenling Shitang: When Stone Houses Meet the Blue Sea, Encountering a Stunning Coastal Fairy Tale

Wenling Shitang: Discovering a Dreamy Fishing Village Between Mountains and Sea

Along the southeastern coast of Zhejiang lies a picturesque town—Wenling Shitang. Here, layered stone houses nestle on hillsides, vast seas stretch endlessly, and the simple, rich fishing village culture thrives. With a longing for the ocean, I set foot on this land to begin an unforgettable journey in Shitang.

1. Attraction Information: Unlocking the Charm Code of Shitang

Stone House Ancient Village

Built with stone foundations and stone walls, Shitang’s stone houses are scattered artfully across the hillside, creating a unique landscape. Among them, Xiaoruocun Village is the most famous, with its colorful stone houses resembling a spilled palette, shining brilliantly under the sunlight. Every alley is filled with an artistic atmosphere.

Jinsha Beach

The largest natural seaside bathing beach in Shitang, featuring fine sand and clear water. In summer, people come here to wade in the waves, play in the sand, and bask in the sun, enjoying a leisurely coastal time. At dusk, you can also admire the breathtaking sunset over the sea.

Millennium Dawn Park

The first place on mainland China to receive the new millennium’s first ray of dawn. The park features a Dawn Monument. Standing here, you can overlook the entire Shitang panorama and the vast sea, feeling the sacredness and joy of welcoming the new dawn.

Coastal Greenway

A greenway built along the coastline, connecting multiple viewing platforms. Walking here, one side is steep cliffs, the other an endless sea. The scenery along the way is stunning, making it a paradise for cycling and hiking enthusiasts.

2. Travel Tips: Enjoying Your Shitang Trip

Transportation Guide

• External Transport: From Wenling city center, take bus route 231 directly to Shitang Town; taxis are also available, with a ride of about 40 minutes. If coming from out of town, first arrive at Wenling Station, then transfer to transportation heading to Shitang.

• Internal Transport: Within Shitang Town, local minibuses or tricycles can take you conveniently to various attractions.

Itinerary Planning

• One-day Tour: In the morning, visit Millennium Dawn Park to greet the first morning light and overlook Shitang; enjoy a seafood feast in Shitang Town at noon; in the afternoon, play in the waves and sand at Jinsha Beach and watch the sunset; in the evening, stroll through Xiaoruocun Village to experience the romance of colorful stone houses.

• Two-day Tour: Follow the one-day itinerary on the first day; on the second day, cycle or hike along the Coastal Greenway, enjoy the sea views along the way, and take photos at the viewing platforms.

Accommodation Recommendations

• Stone House Homestays: Shitang has many homestays converted from stone houses, preserving their unique features while offering modern amenities, allowing you to deeply experience local life. Recommended homestays are near Xiaoruocun Village and the Coastal Greenway for convenient travel and beautiful scenery.

• Seaview Hotels: For a better viewing experience, choose seaview hotels near Jinsha Beach, where you can open your window to the sea and enjoy a relaxing coastal vacation.

Food Recommendations

• Seafood: As a major fishing town, seafood is a must-try in Shitang. Steamed swimming crabs, garlic vermicelli steamed scallops, pan-fried hairtail fish—each dish is fresh and delicious, making your mouth water.

• Local Snacks: Specialty snacks like mountain powder balls, embedded cakes, and black rice mochi are also worth trying, offering unique flavors that let you taste the local life of Shitang.

3. Experience Review: Unforgettable Moments

Xiaoruocun Village

Entering Xiaoruocun Village feels like stepping into a fairy tale. Each stone house is painted in vibrant colors—blue, pink, yellow—intertwining to form a unique landscape. Wandering through narrow alleys, you’ll find creative graffiti and artistic shops everywhere. It’s impossible to stop taking photos, making it highly recommended for photography lovers and fans of artistic vibes.

Jinsha Beach

Though not very large, Jinsha Beach boasts fine sand and clean water. Running and playing on the beach, feeling the gentle waves, is very pleasant. However, summer sees many visitors, so to find a good spot for photos or rest, it’s best to arrive early.

Millennium Dawn Park

Standing on the viewing platform of Dawn Park, watching the sun slowly rise from the horizon, with golden light spreading over the sea, is an indescribable shock and emotion. To catch the sunrise, you need to get up early, and since it’s windy in the morning, remember to dress warmly.

Coastal Greenway

The scenery along the Coastal Greenway is exceptional, offering different sea views throughout. Cycling here with the sea breeze on your face is very comfortable. Some sections are steep, so those with less stamina might find it challenging; take breaks at viewing platforms to rest and take photos.

4. Historical and Cultural Background: Exploring Shitang’s Traces of Time

Shitang has a history of over 700 years. Its unique stone house architectural style stems from the local geography and historical development. In the past, building materials were scarce by the sea, so the clever people of Shitang used local stones to build houses. These stone houses resist sea winds and stay warm in winter and cool in summer, gradually forming Shitang’s distinctive architectural style.

As a major fishing town, Shitang has a rich fishing culture. Every year during the fishing season opening festival, fishermen hold grand sacrificial ceremonies to pray for favorable weather and abundant catches. Shitang also preserves traditional fishing techniques, such as net fishing, which testify to the harmonious relationship between the people and the sea.

5. Travel Impressions: A Beautiful Encounter with Shitang

Leaving Shitang, my heart was full of reluctance. Here, I not only admired stunning mountain and sea scenery and experienced rich fishing village culture but also enjoyed the local’s leisurely and pleasant lifestyle.

Strolling through stone house alleys, listening to the sound of waves, watching fishermen busy at work, time seemed to slow down. Shitang lacks the noise and bustle of big cities but has its own unique charm, healing every traveler in the simplest way.

If you also long for a trip to escape the hustle and bustle, consider coming to Wenling Shitang, where between mountains and sea, you can find your own peace and beauty.