Xiangshan

Shipu’s thousand-year-old fishing-port town nestled between hills and sea, the China Fishing Village and Songlanshan beaches, the volcanic rock forest of Huaao Island, seafood and a film studio city.

Xiangshan County lies southeast of Ningbo on the Xiangshan Peninsula, surrounded by sea on three sides. Shipu Town, in its south, is a thousand-year-old fishing port and a Chinese Historical and Cultural Town. This destination centers on Shipu and covers the southern and eastern coasts of the peninsula: the Shipu Fishing Port Ancient Town, the Dongmen Island fishing village and the China Fishing Village are clustered around Shipu Harbor; the northeastern coast has Banbianshan, Dongdan Beach and the Songlanshan resort; Xinqiao Town to the northwest is home to Xiangshan Film and TV City; offshore to the south lie the rock forest of Huaao Island and Tantoushan Island, with the Yushan Islands farther out.

The climate is subtropical maritime. Summer (Jul–Aug) is great for swimming and island trips, but Jul–Sep is typhoon season, so always confirm ferry schedules before heading out to sea or to the islands. Every mid-September, when the East China Sea fishing moratorium ends, Xiangshan holds the China Fishing Festival, with a spectacular send-off of a thousand boats — also the time when seafood is at its best. Spring and autumn are pleasantly mild and ideal for exploring the old town and the film studio city.

Getting there: Xiangshan is about 1.5 hours’ drive from central Ningbo, or you can take high-speed rail (with a transfer on the Ningbo–Taizhou–Wenzhou line) or a bus to Dancheng or Shipu. Sights within the county are spread out, so self-driving or hiring a car is recommended. A typical visit is 2–3 days: one day for the old town, Dongmen Island and the China Fishing Village; one for Huaao Island or Tantoushan; and one for the film studio city or Songlanshan. Shipu’s seafood stalls specialize in swimming crab, hairtail, octopus and mi-iuy croaker — ask about weights and prices before ordering. Ticket prices, ferry schedules and opening hours change frequently; check official sources.

Top sights

Where to eat