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Xiangshan, Ningbo: Exploring China's Hidden Coastal Fishing Village

We Found a Hidden Fishing Village on China’s Coast | Xiangshan, Ningbo

Destination:ChinaProvince:ZhejiangCity:Ningbo

China travel video

We Found a Hidden Fishing Village on China’s. This China travel video was filmed by Expat Natt. Watch the full journey and explore the filming details and destinations on this page.

In Episode 2 of our East Coast China Road Trip Series, we head to Xiangshan, a quiet fishing town tucked away on the shores of Ningbo. With rugged cliffs, peaceful harbours, fresh seafood, and the rhythm of local life, Xiangshan offers a rare glimpse into China's ocean culture.

A couple of hours from Shanghai, and a short drive from Ningbo's city lies the peaceful coastline of Xiangshan.

🚗 Drive along China’s lesser-known east coast

🎣 Discover a traditional fishing village

🍤 Feast on local seafood straight from the ocean

🏝️ Hunt for hidden beaches far from the crowds

🙏 Visit a small, centuries-old seaside temple

This is the real China—raw, coastal, and full of unexpected beauty.

Locations

📍 Xipu Fishing Port Ancient Village

📍 Ban Bian Shan Beach

📍 Bai Sha Tan

📍 Amitabha Temple

📍 Fan Tong Shan

Next up: The wild wetlands of Yancheng, so stay tuned!

--- Expat Natt
June 15, 2025, Summer in China

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

Expat Natt’s East Coast China road trip reaches Xiangshan, a fishing town on Ningbo’s coast. The route passes rugged cliffs and harbors, with a stop where blossoming trees and the receding tide catch Natt’s attention. At Xipu Fishing Port Ancient Village, Natt selects seafood at the wet market and has it cooked with noodles, fish balls, shrimp, clams and mussels. The trip continues to free Ban Bian Shan Beach, the Sheraton, Amitabha Temple, Budong Coffee and quieter coastal stretches where Natt searches for sea glass. Sheep and camping sites appear along the route before the final stop at Rice Bowl Mountain.

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More about the current video:(Published on 2025-06-15)

We Found a Hidden Fishing Village on China’s Coast | Xiangshan, Ningbo

The coast and a seafood stop

In the second episode of an East Coast China road trip, Expat Natt drives to Xiangshan, a fishing town on Ningbo’s coast. The route passes rugged cliffs and tranquil harbors. At a service station, Natt stops to look at blossoming trees and a view of the tide receding from the shore. The trip continues to Xipu Fishing Port Ancient Village, where Natt visits the wet market, selects fresh seafood and takes it to a nearby restaurant to be cooked. The noodles arrive with fish balls, shrimp, clams and mussels, making this meal one of the most detailed food stops on the route. Natt describes the market-to-restaurant meal as a way to try several local ingredients, while the village itself adds a working harbor to the day’s coastal scenery.

Natt then visits Ban Bian Shan Beach, a free public beach among coastal spots where some entrances charge a fee. The beach offers a quieter place to spend time by the water, and the video includes a sunset view that Natt considers one of the best of the trip. The free beach provides an alternative to paid options nearby. Natt also looks for sea glass on the coast, noting that much of the area is sandy but that smaller secluded stretches can be found.

A hotel, a temple and the final mountain

The road trip includes a stay at the Sheraton in Xiangshan. Natt tours the room, showing its amenities and mountain views, and notes that the price was surprisingly affordable outside peak season, including the National Day holiday period. This stop contrasts with the open beaches and gives the travelers a place to rest between drives. The video also includes the room’s view over the surrounding landscape.

Amitabha Temple is another stop. Reaching some areas takes a little effort, but Natt finds the quiet setting and views worthwhile. Before more exploring, Natt stops at Budong Coffee for a pastry and coffee. The search for sea glass continues along the coast, where sheep and camping sites appear among the unexpected sights. The journey ends at Rice Bowl Mountain, named for its distinctive shape. The sequence of stops moves from the fishing port and seafood meal to Ban Bian Shan Beach, the hotel, temple, coffee break and mountain, showing how the drive links coastal and inland parts of Xiangshan.

FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)

Q: How did Natt try local seafood in Xiangshan?
A: Natt chose fresh seafood at the wet market in Xipu Fishing Port Ancient Village and took it to a nearby restaurant to be cooked with noodles. The dish included fish balls, shrimp, clams and mussels.
Q: Are there free beaches in Xiangshan?
A: Yes. Some beaches charge an entrance fee, while Ban Bian Shan Beach is a free public option. Natt also finds quieter stretches along the coast.
Q: When did Natt find lower hotel prices?
A: Natt says the Sheraton room was far less expensive outside peak season. The trip suggests avoiding busy dates such as the National Day holiday, when the room would ordinarily cost more.
Q: What is Rice Bowl Mountain known for?
A: The mountain is named for its distinctive shape, and Natt visits it at the end of the Xiangshan trip.

Previous travel video:

Xiangshan, Ningbo: Exploring China's Hidden Coastal Fishing Village

In Episode 2 of our East Coast China Road Trip Series, we head to Xiangshan, a quiet fishing town tucked away on the shores of Ningbo. With rugged cliffs, peaceful harbours, fresh seafood, and the rhythm of local life, Xiangshan offers a rare glimpse into China's ocean culture. A couple of hours...

Xiangshan Ningbo: Coastal Fishing Village Road Trip

Embark on a scenic road trip along China's captivating east coast, uncovering the hidden gem of Xiangshan, a tranquil fishing village near Ningbo. Explore rugged cliffs, serene harbors, and pristine beaches, savoring fresh seafood and immersing yourself in the authentic rhythm of local life. Discover the timeless charm of a centuries-old seaside temple and escape to hidden beaches far from the bustling crowds. This coastal haven offers a genuine glimpse into the raw, unexpected beauty of China's ocean culture, a journey filled with serenity and discovery. Xiangshan's peaceful atmosphere and rich cultural heritage create an unforgettable experience, showcasing the real China.

Attractions in this video: Xipu Fishing Port Ancient Village, Ban Bian Shan Beach, Amitabha Temple, Rice Bowl Mountain