Qiangjiao Archipelago

Qiangjiao Archipelago

　The sea in Ninghai is tranquil and beautiful. Within the Xiangshan Bay, you can even find azure blue waters — a rare sight along China’s mainland coastal areas and a distinctive stretch of the nation’s vast maritime territory.

In Ninghai, you can not only explore the land by hiking through mountains, wading across streams, venturing into dense forests, and discovering canyons, but also enjoy marine tourism. Around Xiangshan Bay and Sanmen Bay, the emerald waters and golden sands of the Qiangjiao Archipelago and Shuangshan Island allow you to fully experience the charm of harbor scenery and savor delicious seafood such as fish, shrimp, crabs, and shellfish.

The Qiangjiao Archipelago in Xiangshan Bay is a group of ancient and mysterious islands. Millennia of human history have imbued them with a profound sense of historical weight.

Boating on the sea and gazing into the distance, the blue sky blends seamlessly with the blue sea. Spanning over 20 square kilometers, 12 small islands are scattered like stars, resembling a crystal necklace inlaid within the boundless blue waves — truly a worthy “Thousand Island Lake of the Sea.” It boasts a vaster expanse of water and a more majestic presence than the Thousand Island Lake of the Xin’an River. Surrounded by mountains on all sides and with calm waves, each island showcases its own unique beauty, competing in splendor.

Among the Qiangjiao Islands, Baishi Mountain Island is the most peculiar, with its oddly shaped and fascinating rocks; Central Mountain Island is the most elegant, where flowers and trees vie for brilliance; Hengshan Island is the most renowned, home to ancient poetry inscriptions, towering ancient trees, and dense shade that drapes down to the sea. Since the early Ming Dynasty, this has been a thriving “Little Putuo” — a place of active religious worship.

Today, lush greenery surrounds the “Nanpu Chan Temple,” which houses two jade Buddha statues gifted by Myanmar. Strolling here, you can truly grasp the meaning of “blue sky and blue sea.” Additionally, there is the Jieqi Pavilion from the Han Dynasty, a former military outpost and fire beacon station built along the coast.

The Qiangjiao Archipelago has long been known as the “Sea of Mirage.” After the rain, when the sea and sky are freshly washed, multicolored mirages rise gently from the surface of the water, faintly resembling pavilions, towers, mountains, and trees — dreamlike and surreal.

The Qiangjiao Archipelago is a famous fishing and aquaculture base in Ninghai. Its seafood quality ranks among the best of Zhejiang’s three major aquaculture bays, making it an ideal destination for seafood tasting. The variety of shellfish is especially rich, with oysters, blood clams, and blue crabs being particularly well-known. Enjoying barbecues and fresh seafood on the islands, with their original flavors, offers a unique and delightful experience — a true highlight for travelers.