Shibansha: A great place to visit around Jiangmen!
Jiangmen Shibansha: A hidden paradise in the Xijiang River
Hey, friends! Today, I want to recommend a great place to visit around Jiangmen - Shibansha. It's not just any place, it's like a mysterious treasure island waiting for you to explore and discover.
As soon as you step onto Shibansha Island, you'll be greeted by picturesque rural scenery. The Xijiang River flows here, and the water becomes very clear, with a dense network of waterways, like a natural ink painting. The banyan trees by the river cast shadows, and the water dwellers leisurely row their boats. Every household has yellow sand clams in front of their doors, creating a vivid picture of life. As you stroll along the alleys, you'll see old houses by the river, with murals depicting various scenes of residents' lives on the street-facing walls. These murals vividly showcase the life of the water town, making you feel like you've traveled back in time and experienced the most authentic life of the Tanka people. Here, you can fully enjoy the tranquility and comfort, forgetting the hustle and bustle of the city and your worries.
Speaking of Shibansha's food, it's truly mouthwatering. Yellow sand clams, yellow croaker, and river shrimp are known as the "Three Treasures" of Shibansha, with yellow sand clams being the most authentic, fresh, and plump. Every year from after the Spring Festival to May and June is the peak season for yellow sand clams. The clear river water around the area nurtures yellow sand clams with thick and fresh meat, free of sand and fishy smell. Fishermen use traditional methods and special clam boats to catch yellow sand clams at midnight or early morning, ensuring their freshness and taste. In addition to steaming, yellow sand clams can be baked, roasted, or stir-fried, with each method maximizing the original flavor of the clam meat and bringing out its unique freshness. Besides the "Three Treasures," Shibansha also offers various local snacks, such as chicken biscuits and glutinous rice balls, allowing you to enjoy delicious food while experiencing authentic Cantonese food culture.
The 7.5-kilometer-long Chao Ren Trail around Shibansha Island starts at Shibansha Village's Shatou Wharf and passes through Pailou, Tanka-style street, Daoxin Road, agricultural landscape experience area, bamboo forest viewing platform, riverside viewing platform, and water town station viewing platform, before returning to the starting point. You can choose to walk or cycle, enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Xijiang River and the island along the way. You'll also see large fields of Gesang flowers swaying in the wind under the sun, colorful and romantic. On the island road, you can hear the boatmen's salty water songs, with their melodious voices echoing on the river, making you intoxicated.
Shibansha Village is a Tanka fishing village settlement with over 200 years of human habitation history. The villagers here are warm and hospitable, with simple folk customs. They retain traditional lifestyles and customs, allowing you to experience the purest rural atmosphere. Here, you can chat with the villagers, learn about their life stories, and feel their diligence and kindness. If you want to experience the life of the Tanka people, you can also participate in local farming festivals, experience farming culture, or join traditional craft-making courses, such as paper-cutting and tie-dyeing, to experience the charm of intangible cultural heritage firsthand.
Shibansha is a place that makes people linger. It has beautiful natural scenery, rich food culture, simple rural customs, and profound historical heritage. Whether you want to relax and enjoy the gifts of nature or experience a different rural life, Shibansha can meet your needs. Come to Shibansha and start your journey to a paradise! I'm sure you'll fall in love with this place.