Yingdong Village "Fishermen's Joy"

Yingdong Village "Fishermen's Joy"

Yingdong Village in Chenjia Town, Chongming County, is located at the southeasternmost tip of Chongming Island. Since ancient times, Chongming has been known by the beautiful name "Yingzhou," making Yingdong Village the easternmost part of "Yingzhou" and the first to greet the rising sun. Starting in 1985, under the leadership of Lu Wenzhong, the village Party branch secretary, all the Party members and villagers worked tirelessly to reclaim 4,200 acres of wasteland, establishing a new village focused primarily on freshwater aquaculture. The village was officially named Yingdong Village in 1989. Lu Wenzhong, a legendary figure, was honored as a National Model Worker in 2002. The village currently has 52 farming households and 174 residents. In 2002, the total output value of the village reached tens of millions of yuan, with an average labor income of over 20,000 yuan and per capita income of 13,000 yuan. Every household enjoys a prosperous and well-fed life. It has become a Shanghai Civilized Village and a national advanced unit in spiritual civilization creation. Starting in 2001, a sustainable development path was planned here, focusing on integrating agriculture and tourism with fishing and tourism. The Fishermen's Joy eco-tourism project was launched and has gradually developed into a unique tourism brand in the suburbs. Its content is rich and colorful, its forms lively and engaging, and its ecological environment uniquely pristine, attracting visitors from off the island. In March 2002, Gong Xueping, then director of the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress Standing Committee, inscribed the words: "Chongming Yingdong Ecological Village, Achieving Dual Prosperity in Material and Spiritual Civilization." In 2005, it was recognized as a National Agricultural Tourism Demonstration Site by the National Tourism Administration and other organizations.

A Day as a Fisherman

Yingdong Village has set up fishing areas and ponds for visitors to engage in activities, providing a variety of fishing tools and performance programs such as angling, spearfishing, climbing, and catching fish. This allows visitors to personally participate in the fishing activities of local fishermen, work alongside them, and share the joy of the fishing life. Donghu Fishing

Donghu Lake in Yingdong Village boasts hundreds of acres of natural water area, where fishing competitions are held. The water of Donghu, the breeze of Donghu, and the fish of Donghu are sure to leave a deep impression on visitors. Fishing enthusiasts can row boats and cast lines, showcasing their skills, forgetting their worries, relieving fatigue, and forever remembering the charm of Donghu.

Fishing Gear Museum

Starting in 2003, the villagers of Yingdong Village have gathered and displayed a variety of traditional and distinctive fishing tools used by fishermen, allowing visitors to get up close and touch them. This opens visitors' eyes, helping them understand the lifestyle of fishermen, learn about fishing knowledge, and appreciate the wisdom and hard work of fishermen. Most remarkably, there is a linen fishing net made up of 40,000 mesh holes and 40,000 knots—each hole as small as a bean, and every knot tightly secured.

Bird Watching from the Pavilion

Villagers of Yingdong Village built an earthen hill by Donghu Lake, covered with lush trees and bamboo on the hill and green grass on the slopes. The excellent habitat attracts migratory birds such as gulls and egrets. From the Bird Watching Pavilion atop the "Fishermen’s Joy Hotel," visitors can use binoculars to observe various birds flying around the hill, as well as gaze into the distance at Dongtan and the East China Sea, watching the sunrise over the sea and contemplating the marvel of life and the transformation of sea into mulberry fields.

Savoring a Fishermen’s Feast

The industrious and hospitable villagers of Yingdong Village serve a Fishermen’s Feast featuring river, lake, and seafood delicacies, which has gained considerable renown. "Fresh, unique, and delicious" are the defining characteristics of the Fishermen’s Feast in Yingdong Village.

Chongming Island Spirit Statue

On June 25, 2004, the Chongming County Party Committee and County Government held the unveiling ceremony of the "Chongming Island Spirit Statue" in Yingdong Village. The statue faces south and stands 5 meters tall, 7 meters long, and 1.6 meters wide. The base is made of reinforced concrete, while the upper part, featuring a group sculpture of figures, is carved from a single piece of marble weighing 40 tons. It has become a new attraction in the tourism of Yingdong Village.