Shengsi offers a peaceful seaside escape
If you are looking for a place to escape from the hustle and bustle of a big city, Shengsi Islands could be the perfect choice.
Although the islands are just a two-hour boat ride from Shanghai, Shengsi is a world away, allowing visitors to leave their worries behind.
The combination of mountains and sea is a big selling point for Shengsi. Visitors can walk along wooden paths on the cliffs, with the ocean on one side and steep mountains on the other. The paths are long and sometimes have strong winds coming up from the sea.
Looking down at the rocks on the shore, local women gather seashells and often invite visitors for dinner at their homes, to sing folksongs or to accompany them on their walks along the paths.
Driving along the island roads offers a completely different perspective. Mountains separate the islands into different fishing villages, which are scattered about and nestled in different bays.
With every turn in the road, a new surprise awaits. And as night falls, the villages look like clusters of stars, shining at each bay.
Hotels are rare in Shengsi and most tourists stay in homestays on the islands. The owners are not necessarily local residents. Many of them have moved to the islands because they love the area's tranquility.
Hu Xiaojun used to be a senior manager at a logistics company in Hangzhou with decent pay. After visiting Shengsi three times, he decided to open a homestay because he loves the islands so much.
His homestay, Musa on the Beach, welcomes tourists from all over the world. Hu takes visitors to fish markets to buy fresh seafood to cook for lunch and is always keen to have people join him on fishing trips.
"I call it a dream homestay because I think it helps me to realize my dream to settle in a place where I can see the sea and just be happy," he said.
Shengsi is also the largest area for mussel harvests in East China and the region hosts a mussel festival every September.
yanyiqi@chinadaily.com.cn
(China Daily 10/12/2015 page6)
