Aojiao Village

Aojiao Village

Aojiao Village is a small fishing village situated in the southeastern part of Dongshan Island, surrounded by the sea on three sides. At the front and back of the village, there are two crescent-shaped beaches with soft, calm sands, ideal for summer visitors to enjoy the beach and waves. Moreover, climbing Daron Mountain in the village allows you to gaze into the distance at the magnificent seascape—countless islands scattered across the waters and the seamless blend of sea and sky—making it a rare paradise for photography.

Surrounded by the sea on three sides, Aojiao Village features two crescent-shaped bays to the north and south, forming a beautiful “X” shape. It is adorned with four islands—Dragon, Tiger, Lion, and Elephant—that earn it the reputation of a “Marine Zoo.” It is a renowned fishing village famous for its thriving fishery and stunning natural scenery. The village has been awarded the title of “National Civilized Village” for three consecutive terms in 2005, 2009, and 2011. Over the years, it has also received honors such as Fujian Province’s “Demonstration Village for Building a New Socialist Countryside,” “Green Well-off Village,” “National Model Village for Democracy and Legal System,” “National Model Village for Loving the People and Strengthening Border Areas,” and “One of Zhangzhou’s Top Ten Most Beautiful Villages.”

1. A Long and Rich History. The village was established in the mid-to-late Ming Dynasty and has a history of over 500 years. The area’s Da Mao Mountain is a Neolithic site—a shell mound site—that bears witness to the lives of early human ancestors in Dongshan and the prehistoric cultural exchanges between Fujian and Taiwan. According to the Zhao’an County Annals, “Da Mao Mountain lies to the south of Wudu, at the highest point of Bopu Mountain. During the Song Dynasty, Chancellor Lu Xiufu once moored the imperial boat here while escorting the young emperor in exile.” This records the historical event of the Southern Song Dynasty’s final years when Chancellor Lu Xiufu fled here with the young emperor. In the late Ming Dynasty, national hero Zheng Chenggong, while recovering Taiwan, trained naval forces along the Fujian coast and stationed a battalion of sailors here. He also dug a well in the Aojiao back bay, historically known as the “Guoxing Well.” During the Qing Dynasty, Aojiao Wo served as an important base for General Shi Lang’s fleet for training, anchoring, and resupply.

2. Naturally Unique Scenery. Nestled between mountains and sea, Aojiao Village boasts beautiful landscapes with golden beaches stretching for dozens of miles. There are crescent-shaped bays to the north and south (Aojiao Bay and Wuji Bay), forming a stunning “X” shape, with four islands—Dragon, Tiger, Lion, and Elephant—scattered among them, earning the nickname “Marine Zoo.” The film and television industry has recognized its natural charm, using it as a filming location for numerous productions, including “Panshi Bay,” “Kinship,” “Widow Village,” “Thirteen Well Area,” and “Qiu Jin.” Hong Kong’s Asia Television also filmed the scenic program “Wow, Aojiao…” here. Renowned writers such as Wang Meng, poets like Cai Qijiao and Shu Ting have visited Aojiao multiple times for inspiration, sketching, and experiencing life.

3. A Thriving Fishing Industry. The village integrates marine fishing, precious seafood farming, and aquatic product processing. It currently has 220 trawling fishing boats, 38 abalone farms, 25 aquatic product processing companies, and 14 enterprises including shipyards, repair shops, fishing net factories, and fuel supply stations. In 2013, the village’s total economic income reached 511.75 million yuan, with an average per capita income of 26,040 yuan.

Among these, the Fishermen’s Wharf is widely known. Whenever fishing boats return to shore, the wharf becomes livelier. Boats loaded with fresh seafood dock nearby, and fishermen pile up their catches—fish, shrimp, crabs, and more—on the boats for visitors to choose from. Many tourists come specifically to buy seafood here, making it an excellent spot to enjoy fresh abalone and other seafood delicacies.

4. A Strong Cultural Atmosphere. The village has produced well-known “cultural figures” such as fisherman poet Xu Haiqin, fisherman painter Chen Jieding, and fisherman sculptor Shen Xikun. It is home to the Straits Art Museum and a gallery dedicated to fishing-themed poetry and photography.

Location of the Attraction

Aojiao Village, Dongshan County, Zhangzhou City

Source: Fujian Provincial Tourism Development Commission