China (Xiangshan) Fishing Festival (September)

Shipu Port in Xiangshan is one of the four largest fishing ports opened for general fishers in China, is also a very important port for China and Zhejiang Province for Taiwan affairs. China Seafood City, the largest seafood market of China, is located at Shipu. The fishermen at Shipu have had such traditions and customs as “walking the beach in March”, and “sacrificing to the sea”, a ceremony fishermen hold before going fishing for peach and harvest. With the “fishing off period” every year, the end of the fishing off period is the beginning of the fishing period. During this period, the local government and tourist administration will organize various activities to celebrate the festival. During the festival, the port is crowded with people, with roaring drums, firecrackers, and fireworks. Activities in the festival include fishing lantern hanging, ceremony of fishing boats setting off, opening ceremony performance, and shows of local folk shows.