West Sea Dike

West Sea Dike

Shen’ao Ancient Town is situated in the northeast of Nan’ao Island, surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing the sea on one. To the north, it faces Zhanlin Town of Raoping County across the sea. The islands of Liyu and Huyu (also known as Tayu) stand as its gateways, with broad waters within the islets. The bay is so deep that it seems “bottomless,” hence the name Shen’ao (Deep Bay). Shen’ao boasts beautiful scenery, with striking rocks and picturesque landscapes. According to the “Nan’ao Place Names,” more than half of the ancient Eight Scenic Spots of Nan’ao are located in Shen’ao Town, including “Golden Mountain Bathed in Sunrise,” “Azure Islet Floating in the Sky,” “Dragon Pool Morning Moon,” “Horse Well Morning Mist,” and “Heroic Pass Rain Steps.”

The Shen’ao Liyu Bay to the north of the ancient town not only serves as an important natural barrier for Shen’ao but also guards the Fujian-Guangdong maritime route. It was once a key passage along the Maritime Silk Road and is also renowned as an ancient maritime battlefield. National heroes such as Qi Jiguang, Zheng Chenggong, Liu Yongfu, and Yu Dayou have all left glorious chapters here in their fights against foreign invasions and in the recovery of Taiwan.

This sea area, once ravaged by war, has now become a vibrant marine ranch teeming with fish and shrimp. Grids of grouper aquaculture net cages, stretches of laver bamboo racks, cages of pearl oysters, strings of green-lipped mussels, and Pacific oysters brim with life. On the vast tidal flats, people have cultivated a massive marine farming base, which has evolved into a “treasure trove” of premium seafood, including grouper, abalone, pearls, laver, prawns, and shellfish.