An Island Isolated in the Sea in Eastern Fujian, Known as the Venice of the East, with Mountain-Sea Wonders Resembling Myths

Travelers speak of the isles of Yingzhou, but misty waves make them hard to seek. When I sped across the sea on a speedboat, cutting through waves, the first thing that came to my mind was this line by Li Bai. At that moment, I was at Sandu Ao, a scenic area in eastern Fujian, with Doumu Island ahead, a place filled with countless myths and legends.

Fresh Fujian, Green Ningde. Ningde lies east of the East China Sea, facing Taiwan across the sea. Nestled against mountains and beside the sea, it boasts beautiful scenery. Sandu Ao, located in the southeast of Ningde, serves as the gateway to the eastern Fujian coast. It is not only a world-famous natural deep-water harbor but also a renowned tourist scenic area.

When traveling to Ningde, many people enjoy strolling along the coast, and Sandu Ao has become one of the most popular destinations. The tourist attractions in Sandu Ao are mostly concentrated in its southeastern part, which can be divided into five areas: Doumu Scenic Area, Fuhai Pass Historic Site, Qingshan Scenic Area, Bijia Mountain Scenic Area, and Jigong Mountain Scenic Area. This time, I took a speedboat to Doumu Scenic Area, a mysterious island isolated in the sea.

It took about half an hour to reach Doumu Scenic Area. After arriving, we boarded the island via an abandoned yacht, which now serves as the main landing point for tourists. The second and third floors of the yacht can also be used for dining.

Standing on the island and looking into the distance, rows of houses were built in an orderly manner along the sea, their bright colors giving a fairy-tale feel.

As we climbed along the mountain paths of Doumu Scenic Area to explore the wonders of this island on the sea, the view of the sea surface was spectacular. The artificial aquaculture area looked like a floating city on the sea, with fishermen's houses connected to each other, stretching for dozens of kilometers. That's why it is called the "Venice of the East."

Looking around, isn't this marine pasture quite special? The small, brightly colored houses are where local fishermen live. Those who have been to Semporna, Malaysia, know that Semporna is great for diving and vacationing. Its water bungalows are somewhat similar to what we see here. However, in Doumu, the houses on the sea are still inhabited by fishermen. I hope that in the future, like Semporna, people can live on the sea here, making it more suitable for tourism and holidays.

"Doumu Holy Land, Island Stone Wonders"—this phrase vividly describes the terrain of Doumu Scenic Area. Here, incredible stone wonders can be seen everywhere, leaving people in awe. One cannot help but wonder what kind of crustal movements nature underwent to leave so many special stone formations here.

The first thing we saw was the Ingot Stone. This stone is shaped like a large ingot, firmly rooted on the island, standing still despite wind and rain. It is said that visitors should touch it for good luck.

Doumu Scenic Area is located on Doumao Island, which gathers the beauty of Sandu Ao. The island is covered with strange stones. After seeing the Ingot Stone, we continued walking according to the signs. There are many wonders on the island, including Snail Shell Rock, a famous wonder along China's coast; the Maze Cave; Doumu Stone City; the Rhinoceros Gazing at the Moon; and the five life blessings of "Fortune, Emolument, Longevity, Joy, and Wealth." Interested friends can look for and check them one by one.

The stone maze in Doumu Scenic Area is hard to find without clear signs. There is a narrow rock crevice that only one person can pass through. Unexpectedly, after entering, there is a hidden world—a spacious cave that can hold more than ten people. It was formed by deep-sea crustal movements over many years, resulting in an ingenious maze.

Doumao Island is a place full of stories. It is also a holy land for Doumu Goddess, with many ancient and magical legends circulating here, making us feel like we are in a mythical world. If you are interested, you can chat with the locals to deeply experience the folk customs and humanistic charm of this island.

Walking through Doumu Scenic Area, the scenery changes constantly. The island is covered with strange rocks, leaving people amazed. There is Snail Shell Rock, a famous wonder along China's coast; the Maze Cave; Doumu Stone City; the Rhinoceros Gazing at the Moon; and the five life blessings of "Fortune, Emolument, Longevity, Joy, and Wealth." As long as you have a keen eye, you can check in all these stone wonders.

For those who love traveling and photography, capturing a perfect sunrise or sunset can make a trip outstanding. This time, I also wanted to photograph the sunset over the sea at Doumu. During the day, it was cloudy. When I was about to leave the scenic area, I received a pleasant surprise: the weather suddenly cleared, and beautiful evening glow appeared.

Mountains and seas stretch far and wide, yet there is warmth in the human world. Sometimes, a trip can leave a deep impression because of a single moment. The beauty of Ningde, in my heart, is a shade of deep and light blue that suits all moods—a freehand painting that can be captured at any moment. This time, I encountered the sunset at Doumu Scenic Area, drawing a perfect conclusion to my journey in Ningde.