Xiapu 3: Fishing Nets, Banyueli, Ewan Mangroves Oct 2023

By Beatrice Wong
January 15, 2024
7:30 pm
No Comments

The mending of the fishing nets makes a beautiful photograph. Here in Xiapu, there is a special setup where you can photograph the sprawling nets from above. A half-opened door brings in just the right amount of light. We also came across some fishermen (real ones) mending their nets on the beach.

Mending of fishing nets in Xiapu

Mending of fishing nets in Xiapu

Yacheng (牙城)’s Wayao (瓦窑飘网) spot was originally used by fishermen to set nets to catch eel seedlings. It later became a popular shooting spot for floating nets. Shooting the nets floating here requires making an appointment in advance for the fishermen to hang up the nets. Unfortunately, there was no wind at all the day of my visit so no floating nets for me… better luck next time.

Yacheng (牙城)’s Wayao (瓦窑飘网) spot was originally used by fishermen to set nets to catch eel seedlings.

We visited Banyueli (半月里畲族文化名村) on a rainy day. The village is backed by the Maitreya Mountain, shaped like a crescent moon and hence the name “Half Moon Village”. Banyueli is a village inhabited by the She ethnic minority with a history of over 300 years. There are about 80 or so houses in the village with an old ancestral hall cum folk museum.

Banyueli (半月里畲族文化名村)

Banyueli (半月里畲族文化名村)

Banyueli (半月里畲族文化名村)

Banyueli (半月里畲族文化名村)

My last stop in Xiapu was at the mangroves of Ewan Village (鹅湾红树林). The water here is very calm early in the morning and slowly starts to recede and by the afternoon, the prop roots and trunks of the mangroves can be seen.