Fishing Village on the Water

　　On the expansive Weishan Lake, fishing boats are like pearls scattered across the water, with their masts and sails appearing misty and dreamlike between the clear waters and blue sky—resembling a crystal-clear world or a fairyland on earth. The fishermen’s stilt platforms are either surrounded by water on all sides or three sides, like large gemstones embedded in the rippling lake. From a distance, the small islands seemingly floating on the water are lined with neat houses and towering buildings, like a magical kingdom from a fairy tale or a mirage-like fantasy. This is the charm of the aquatic fishing village. There are over 50,000 fishermen and more than 10,000 households scattered across more than 160 large and small boat fleets and stilt platforms on the lake, adding vitality and brilliance to the beautiful Weishan Lake.

　　　　The fishermen of Weishan Lake have lived on boats for generations, relying on watercraft for their livelihoods. Their family boats serve both as transportation and homes—the boat is their home, and their home is the boat. Larger ones are over two or three zhang (about 6.6–10 meters) long, resembling pavilions, while smaller ones are less than seven chi (about 2.3 meters), like newly sprouted willow branches. The boats carry fishing gear such as nets, scoops, and traps, as well as daily necessities like firewood, rice, oil, and salt. They also carry entire families, including wives, children, the elderly, geese, ducks, dogs, and cats. Throughout the seasons, they chase fish migrations, dragging trails of fishing smoke across the vast lake as they travel north and south. The men fish in groups by boat, while the women weave nets inside the cabins. Wherever the boat goes, that’s where the home is. When night falls, the family boats gather to anchor together in their traditional groupings—called “bang” (groups). Their sails are staggered, lined up neatly, with wisps of fishing smoke and the chatter of people, forming a unique fishing village on the water.

　　　　In the past, so-called fishing villages were divided by these boat groups, which historically formed naturally based on differences in fishing tools. There were three main groups on the lake: the “net group,” composed of large net boats that fished for shrimp with drag nets; the “mat group,” also called the “gun group,” which used mats to trap fish and relied on duck hunting with guns in winter when the lake froze; and the poorest group, the “dipper group,” whose only possessions were a small boat and a dipper. They spent year-round dipping for fish, and if they didn’t dip for even a day, they wouldn’t have food. There were also other groups, such as the “large boat group” and the “cargo boat group.” Each group varied in size, with smaller ones consisting of just over ten boats and larger ones having over a hundred. During the day, they fished and worked together, and at night, they anchored and cooked together. Their lifestyle retained a strong nomadic, hunter-gatherer character—truly living by the motto “rise with the sun and rest at sunset.”

　　　　For generations, fishermen have drifted on the water, battling storms, poverty, ice floes, and bitter cold. Before liberation, they lived lives of fear and hardship. After the founding of the People’s Republic, to improve their living conditions, starting in the early 1970s, the state allocated substantial funds multiple times to build stilt platforms and houses for the fishermen. The fishermen who once drifted on the water gradually settled on land. Looking out over the lake, countless islands dot the emerald-green waters—some like giant ships at anchor, some like mandarin ducks nestled together, and some like swans playing in the water. They vary greatly in size and take on a thousand different forms. On the islands, rows of spacious and bright tile-roofed houses and small buildings rise up by the lake, with small boats gathered in front of and behind the houses like stars surrounding the moon. The land-settled fishing villages on the water still offer views of water upon stepping outside and boats ready for use at every step, resembling the water towns of the Jiangnan region. No wonder people call such villages “Little Yingzhou,” a place where immortals are said to dwell. Ancient poets once expressed their longing: “The forest glows in the distance, the building shadows intertwine with sails; it seems like Peach Blossom Spring, with homes emerging in layers.” This place truly seems like a reality born from those poetic visions.

　　 Visiting the fishing villages on the water is sure to bring endless joy. Spending the night in these floating villages allows you to witness the spectacular sunrise and sunset over the lake, which are truly uplifting. At dawn, before the sun rises, the area near the lake’s surface in the eastern sky begins to blush with a faint red glow. The vast lake is also dyed a dark red by this rosy light. Soon, the morning glow in the sky grows redder and more intense, and the waters of Weishan Lake become brighter and more vivid. At dusk, the fiery sun sinks into the lake, and the sunset reflects red on the water’s surface. Before long, the orange-red evening glow in the west dyes the lake red, creating an extremely magnificent sight. If a gentle breeze blows, waves rise in rows, and the light reflected on the crests of the waves is bright red, almost like flickering flames. At night, countless fishing lights scatter across the lake, with the lights on the water complementing the stars in the sky, creating a deeply moving scene.

　　　　Weddings among the fishermen on the lake are full of charm and represent a concentrated expression of their folk traditions. During harvest seasons or festive holidays, to celebrate the joyous occasion, dozens of family boats line up end to end to form a floating stage. The fishermen play traditional instruments—known as “duangu drums”—while singing and dancing. Sometimes they sing in duets, other times one leads and many follow, often continuing through the night. The melodies are rugged, bold, and stirring.

　　　　If you travel on a cargo boat, you can not only see the Weishan Lake port and dock, where thousands of sails gather and all kinds of goods abound, but also catch glimpses of the Nanyang Water Town, the scenic Dushan area, and the majestic Weishan Island. You can also experience the customs and culture along the canal and admire the beautiful scenery of the Jiangnan water towns. Passing by the secondary dam of the lake and the Hanzhuang control gate, you’ll even feel a sense of pride in humanity’s ability to conquer nature... The fishermen are known for their simplicity, honesty, and warm hospitality. Travelers from afar, whether acquaintances or not, are warmly invited by the hospitable fishermen to come aboard their boats. The hosts prepare a variety of freshwater delicacies, ensuring visitors feast to their hearts’ content. Dishes might include “sweet-and-sour four-nostril carp,” “braised mandarin fish,” “Farewell My Concubine” (a dish with chicken and mushrooms), “pagoda shrimp,” “tube fish,” orange-colored crabs, and wild duck fresh from the pot. These are paired with wine infused with the fragrance of water chestnuts, encouraging hearty drinking until everyone is thoroughly satisfied. Even a simple meal might feature shredded fish, braised fish slices, stewed fish chunks, steamed fish, or shrimp soup. Congee made with lotus seeds, water chestnuts, and gorgon fruit seeds is so fragrant that when one household cooks it, the aroma drifts to ten others.

　　While visiting the fishing village, you can also enjoy fun activities. Sit at the bow of the boat and fish in the lake, or place an empty tin can in the water using leftovers as bait—pull it up quickly to catch many small white fish just two or three inches long. If you join the fishermen in laying mats, inspecting the mats, catching fish, dipping for fish, spearfishing, hunting ducks, picking lotus flowers, harvesting water chestnuts, or collecting water caltrops, you’ll find endless delight and excitement.