Dongsha Ancient Town

Dongsha Ancient Town

Dongsha Ancient Town

Dongsha is located on the coast of the famous fishing ground Daquyang, at the northwest corner of Daishan Island. It is a century-old town and a renowned fishing port in the Zhoushan Archipelago. From the Qing Dynasty to the early years of the founding of the People's Republic of China, it served as the political, economic, and cultural center of Daishan. Surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing the sea on one, the town originally featured a semicircular bay stretching from west to east, with the town area situated on the sandy beach at the eastern corner of the bay. Historically known as "Dongsha Jiao" (Dongsha Corner), the town derives its name from this location.

Along the Dongsha coastline, there used to be a pavilion called "Haitian Yilan Ting" (Sea and Sky View Pavilion), built in the 25th year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty (1899). The pavilion featured a couplet: "Mooring the boat to visit the immortal Xu, calling across the water to Mei Zhen." Inside the pavilion, there was once a stone tablet engraved with the story of Xu Fu’s quest for the elixir of immortality on Penglai Island. Although the pavilion has been destroyed, a monument marking its site remains, bearing witness to the profound historical heritage of Dongsha Town.

The establishment of Dongsha can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty. During the Five Dynasties period, King Ashoka cast a thousand iron pagodas and hid them in various places. Qian Zhongyi, the King of Wuyue, sent two iron pagodas to be stored in Puming Temple at Shanzhutou in Dongsha, reflecting its influence at the time. However, during the Ming and Qing dynasties, two maritime prohibitions were enacted, causing the islands to become desolate for a time. It was not until the 27th year of the Kangxi reign in the Qing Dynasty (1688) that the ban was lifted, and fishermen from various regions began entering Daquyang to fish, gradually drawing numerous fishing boats to Dongsha. With the rise of the fishing industry, people from all directions and various craftsmen settled here, leading to the growth of a bustling market. According to *The History of Chinese Fisheries*, the Dongsha Fishing Port took shape during the Kangxi era. Thereafter, during fishing seasons, fishing boats from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, and other coastal provinces gathered at Dongsha—numbering in the thousands, with tens of thousands of fishermen. Records indicate that during the 1917 fishing season, there were 12,601 fishing boats anchored in Dongsha Bay, with over 80,000 fishermen. At night, rows of fishing boats stretched more than 10 li along the sea, while over 100 fish-carrying boats transported catch day and night. Nearly 50 open-air stoves near the harbor worked through the night to dry fishing nets, and processing factories operated around the clock. From the sea to the town, countless lanterns shone like stars in the sky—an indescribably lively scene.

The profits from fishing and salt spurred the commercial development of the fishing town. Dongsha became a well-known commercial and trade hub, giving rise to the historically famous spectacle of the "Hengjie Fish Market." A Qing Dynasty scholar, Wang Xicheng, wrote a poem describing the Hengjie Fish Market: "By the seaside, life thrives on the catch; Fresh fish abounds in every nook. Morning markets buzz, then fade away; Evening tides bring crowds to Hengjie’s bay." This verse illustrates the vibrant atmosphere of the Hengjie Fish Market in its heyday. Alongside the fish trade, numerous merchants and shops emerged, such as "Yan Yongshun Rice Store," "Sanyangtai Grocery," "Dingheyuan Incense Shop," "Wang Maoxing Liquor," "Gaoyuanchun Pancake Shop," and "Jutai Xiang Textiles." There were also many businesses dealing in timber, firewood, bamboo, ironware, and ropes. In 1933, Shanghai’s *Shenbao* newspaper reported: "In just one corner of Dongsha Jiao, with a population of 3,000, there were over 400 shops—a commercial density rarely seen." This highlights the prosperity of Dongsha’s trade at the time.

Dongsha’s long history and thriving commerce have fostered a unique cultural heritage, particularly in architecture, religion, food, and folklore. Strolling into the old streets, you’ll find ancient alleys, traditional houses bearing the marks of old shops, as well as fishing factories, salt storage facilities, and warehouses—all exuding an old-world charm. The town’s streets and lanes are neatly arranged, with buildings constructed in a sturdy and methodical fashion. Some summarize the characteristics of Dongsha’s traditional architecture into six key features: First, the houses are staggered and set on open terrain, sloping from south to north, creating a layered effect. Second, many houses are built along the coast, carrying a strong "seaside" flavor. Third, the architectural styles are diverse, incorporating elements from different regions—such as quadrangle courtyard homes, grand ancestral halls, classic temples, functional commercial buildings, and even modern European-style structures. Fourth, the materials used are of high quality; wealthier families often sourced columns made of camphor, cypress, or fir from the mountainous regions of northern Fujian, with courtyards paved in flat stone slabs and walls built from premium marble or granite. Fifth, Dongsha’s architecture embodies classical elegance, with upturned eaves, painted corridors, and exquisite carvings, reflecting the artistic styles of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Sixth, the town’s buildings have a long history, with nearly 100 surviving structures—the oldest dating back over 200 years, and many around 100 years old. In recent years, Dongsha has served as a filming location for numerous movies and TV dramas, including *Underground Secret War*, *Bitter Melon Lane*, *The Legend of Xu Fu’s Eastward Voyage*, and *Dawn in the East*. Industry insiders have dubbed it an "authentic maritime film city."

Dongsha is an ancient fishing town where fishermen and merchants from all over converge, bringing together diverse cultures. Buddhism, Taoism, and Christianity coexist here. The town is home to many temples and shrines, including notable ones like Zifu Temple, Baoying Temple, Jingguan Temple, Yangfu Palace, Wudu Mansion, and True God Church.

Dongsha’s folk culture has also been shaped by the integration of traditions brought by fishermen, merchants, and settlers from the southeastern coast. Since the town’s founding as a fishing port, mainland customs such as dragon lantern dances, lion dances, and land boat performances have been introduced. Among these, the most lively and uniquely island-inspired is the "God-Welcoming Festival," featuring processions, performances, salutes, and continuous music. In the past, Dongsha also hosted temple fair operas, flower lantern dances, storytelling, acrobatics, yangge dances, flower drum performances, and waist drum shows. During major festivals or fishing seasons, the town’s streets and alleys come alive with rich folk traditions.

When visiting Dongsha, seafood is a must-try. Daishan offers countless varieties of fish. As one old fisherman put it, after a lifetime of fishing, there are still many species he can’t name. Popular catches include yellow croaker, hairtail, pomfret, Chinese mackerel, cuttlefish, tiger grouper, Spanish mackerel, eel, swimming crabs, and various shrimp and jellyfish, as well as shellfish like fragrant snails, clams, razor clams, and scallops. Freshly prepared, they are delicious. For example, a simple dish like boiled softshell turtle fish with tofu is a common home-cooked meal for locals but is celebrated in restaurants across Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Ningbo for its freshness and flavor, even earning the poetic name "Flying Dragon Resting on Snow." Some fish are also processed into salted or dried delicacies with unique tastes. These preservation techniques have been passed down for centuries, with meticulous craftsmanship. Salted or cured pomfret is known as "Zhoushan Fragrant Fish" in Shanghai and Ningbo. Old-time Shanghainese would rave about enjoying a plate of fragrant fish with wine or rice. Triple-fried jellyfish heads and skins are now also prized dishes at banquets.

Beyond seafood, Dongsha is also famous for local snacks like Dingheyuan Fragrant Tofu, Sanyangtai Crisps, Sanlixiang Buns, and Hu’s Yangchun Noodles, which are beloved in Shanghai and Ningbo.

Address: No. 23, Jiefang Road, Dongsha Town, Daishan Island, Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, China

Type: Ancient Town/Village

Recommended Visit Duration: 3–4 hours

Opening Hours:

Open all day

Ticket Information:

Free admission.