Ancient Fishing Village of Leshan

Ancient Fishing Village of Leshan

The Ancient Fishing Village of Leshan is located on the southeastern side of Qisha Peninsula, on the western shore of Qinzhou Bay, approximately 25 kilometers from downtown Fangchenggang. The village covers an area of about 400 acres, with a shallow sea beach spanning dozens of square kilometers stretching out in front of it. The village has 73 households and a population of over 290 people. The main sources of income for villagers are breeding and harvesting seafood such as sandworms, oysters, blue crabs, clams, and shrimp. The village features tranquil woods, mystical reefs, imposing watchtowers, and is a naturally occurring settlement characterized by dense forests, ancient fortifications, azure seas, and a long historical culture. The Ancient Fishing Village of Leshan is one of the more intact ancient fishing villages in Guangxi, boasting profound historical and cultural significance. It serves as a microcosm of the historical development and changes of coastal fishing villages in the Beibu Gulf, offering important reference value for studying the history and culture of ancient fishing villages.

The name “Leshan” (Thorn Mountain) originates from a magical legend: in ancient times, this place was called “Lushan” (Deer Mountain), named for its abundant deer population. Later, the ancestors of Leshan discovered a tree in the village that could bloom red, purple, yellow, and white flowers in different seasons, which they found peculiar. Curious, they picked the flowers and tried consuming them, discovering that the flowers of the thorn tree could cure various ailments. The villagers believed this thorn tree was their guardian deity and named the village Leshan to commemorate this miraculous bond.

Originally built in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, the village was constructed in a square shape based on the principles of the Bagua (Eight Trigrams) for the purpose of defending against pirates and safeguarding the community. It was enclosed by a perimeter wall about ten feet high, with four main gates facing the cardinal directions and four watchtowers strategically positioned for defense. Today, only the eastern gate watchtower remains. This watchtower is a small two-story brick building covering approximately 30 square meters, with thick grey bricks. Inside the village, four streets and alleys wind through ancient grey-brick walls. Some paths lead to safety while others are dead ends—those who don’t know the way may enter but cannot exit. Now, the surrounding walls have largely collapsed, with remnants overgrown with weeds and scattered debris, though the general layout of the walls can still be faintly traced. In the village, there is also a large ancient house with a collapsed roof and moss-covered grey-brick walls. Inside the hall, there is a couplet that reads: “The scholarly family's reputation reaches far; the legacy of the blue lotus endures long.” Throughout generations, the village produced many notable figures and a lineage of scholars. During the Ming Dynasty, Li Xingxin, the fourth-generation descendant of Leshan Village and a top imperial scholar, lived here. Over the dynasties, dozens of villagers held official ranks from the fifth to the eighth grade. During the period of the Nationalist Government, one of their descendants, Li Fu, served in important positions such as Vice President of the Senate and Commander of the Taiwan Border. Today, only two red sandstone gate piers carved with double golden-thread patterns remain at the entrance, silently guarding the memory of the past grandeur and dignity.

The Ancient Fishing Village of Leshan preserves a pristine coastal forest with towering ancient trees. The forest is home to thousands of years old species such as silver-leaf fig trees, ancient banyans, and cartwheel trees. There are only 51 silver-leaf fig trees remaining in the whole country, and five of these rare and precious specimens are found in Leshan Village, the oldest of which is over 1,400 years old. Villagers specially built a seawall to protect these ancient trees. The ancient banyans in the forest grow in peculiar, twisted forms, each with a unique shape. One ancient banyan tree by the sea, once blown down and uprooted by a typhoon, has regenerated new roots and branches with remarkable vitality, taking on a distinctive form resembling a coiling dragon amid the changing tides. A well-preserved grove of cartwheel trees stands majestically, reaching toward the sky. These ancient trees not only help resist strong winds and waves during typhoons but also trap sediments, bringing benefits to generations of Leshan villagers.

The Ancient Fishing Village of Leshan is rich in seafood such as sandworms, oysters, blue crabs, and clams. Among them, the most celebrated is the Leshan sandworm, known for its delicious, sweet taste, tender texture, and freshness—a true delicacy of the Beibu Gulf. The coastal reefs, shaped uniquely by years of wave erosion, present a striking natural landscape with high scenic value. The bay faces Sanniang Bay in Qinzhou across the sea, and thanks to the unpolluted waters, dolphins can sometimes be spotted here.

Source: Port District Government Website

Niulu Village: The Ancient Fishing Village of Leshan is located on the western shore of Qinzhou Bay, approximately 25 kilometers from downtown Fangchenggang. The village covers an area of about 400 acres, with a shallow sea beach spanning dozens of square kilometers stretching out in front of it. The main sources of income for villagers are breeding and harvesting seafood such as sandworms, oysters, blue crabs, clams, and shrimp. The village features tranquil woods, mystical reefs, and imposing watchtowers. The Ancient Fishing Village of Leshan boasts profound historical and cultural heritage and is representative of the northern... It is now a famous tourist attraction in Fangchenggang City.

On August 3, 2015, the Ancient Fishing Village of Leshan was selected as a National Characteristic Landscape Tourism... More details about Niulu Village++