Not Italy, but Zhejiang's seriously underrated colorful fishing village

🌈 Xiaoruocun in Wenling, hidden in Taizhou, Zhejiang, is the "Colorful Fairy Tale Island"! Macaron-colored houses pile up on the hillside, facing the sea with spring blossoms. November brings clear autumn skies, no filter needed for photos, and every casual post on social media gets flooded with questions~

Must-visit spots

1️⃣ Colorful Houses

The entire village’s houses are painted pink, yellow, blue, and green, like a spilled palette! Roofs, windows, and steps are all colorful. Wearing a white dress for photos is super dreamy~

2️⃣ Viewing Platform

At the top of the village hill, the viewing platform overlooks the entire colorful fishing village and the sea. Watch the sunrise in the morning and capture the sunset glow in the evening—the lighting is perfect~

3️⃣ Rainbow Staircase

The staircase from the foot of the hill to the village entrance is painted in rainbow colors. Each step has a cheesy love phrase written on it, making climbing and taking photos super fun~

4️⃣ Tianhou Temple

The Mazu temple in the fishing village features red walls, gray tiles, and colorful doors and windows. It’s bustling with incense, offering a glimpse into traditional fishing culture~

5️⃣ Fishing Harbor Pier

Watch fishing boats return to port and buy freshly landed crabs and mantis shrimp. When the pier lights come on at dusk, it’s the perfect atmosphere to capture “Fishermen’s Evening Song”~

6️⃣ Small Beach

A small beach at the village entrance with few people and clear water. At low tide, you can collect shells. It’s great fun for kids playing in the sand~

7️⃣ Popular Lighthouse

The red and white lighthouse at the end of the village faces the sea. Stand there to shoot dramatic “lonely” photos. The November sea breeze is gentle and not cold~

8️⃣ Mural Walls

The village hides various ocean-themed murals—whales, starfish, fishing boats—surprises around every corner~

Food Recommendations

🦀 Qiangao (Stuffed Rice Cake)

A Wenling specialty! Rice cake skin wrapped around fried dough sticks, braised pork, and red-cooked meat, topped with a ladle of meat broth. One bite is soft and juicy~

🍡 Shanfenyuan (Sweet Potato Balls)

Made from sweet potato starch skin, stuffed with pork, water bamboo shoots, and dried shrimp. Steamed until translucent and delicious dipped in vinegar~

🐚 Fried Bean Noodles

Sweet potato starch “bean noodles” stir-fried with squid, dried shrimp, and cabbage. Full of wok hei, a local favorite breakfast~

🍤 Ginger Egg Custard

Steamed eggs with brown sugar ginger juice, sprinkled with walnut pieces. Warms the stomach and drives out cold, very comforting for women~

🦐 Shuichan Cake

Tofu fish (Shuichan) minced and mixed with flour, pan-fried to golden crisp outside and tender inside. Perfect dipped in vinegar~

🍘 Wheat Shrimp Soup

Batter scraped into strips and boiled in soup with clams, greens, and mushrooms. The soup is fresh and noodles smooth, very warming in autumn and winter~

Transportation

🚄 High-speed rail: Arrive at Wenling Station, taxi to Shitang Town (about 40 minutes), then take a bus or carpool to Xiaoruocun~

🚗 Self-driving: Navigate to “Xiaoruocun.” There is a parking lot at the village entrance (10 yuan/day)~

🛵 Inside the village: Walk only, alleys are narrow and driving is not recommended. Wear comfortable shoes for climbing hills~

Tips 📝

✅ November has fewer people and beautiful scenery, but it’s windy by the sea, so bring a windbreaker~

✅ Wear light or solid colors to contrast with the colorful houses for better photos~

✅ Shoot the colorful houses in the morning for soft, non-backlit light~

✅ Buy seafood at the pier’s morning market—fresh and cheap. Don’t buy in the scenic area~

✅ The village is small and can be explored in one day. It’s recommended to combine with other Shitang attractions~

✅ Some guesthouses have balconies with sea views. Book rooms with a viewing platform in advance~