An "Oyster King" weighing over 2 kg was on display, and oyster dishes were served one after another. On December 21, the Chengcun Oyster Food and Culture Promotion Week kicked off in Yangxi County, Yangjiang City.
Yangxi County, located in western Guangdong Province, has long been hailed as the "Oyster Capital of China." The Chengcun oysters are named after their place of origin, Chengcun Town. They are renowned for their large size, plump flesh, sweet and fresh taste, and crisp texture with no residue, earning them the nickname "Milk of the Ocean."
A tourist poses with the "Oyster King".
On December 21, the Chengcun Oyster Food and Culture Promotion Week kicks off in Yangxi County, Yangjiang City.
An oyster industry worth RMB 700 million going global
As a product protected by national geographical indication, Chengcun oysters boast high protein, high zinc, and low cholesterol.
What makes Chengcun oysters so superior? It's closely related to the local natural environment. Chengcun Town, situated at the estuaries of the Fengtou River and the Zhigong River, forms a rare "pouch-shaped" bay where saltwater and freshwater converge.
These unique hydrological conditions result in a wealth of bait organisms in the waters, providing an excellent natural dining hall for oyster growth.
Fresh Chengcun oysters.
Crucially, more than 667 hectares of mangrove forests stretch along the coast. These "coastal guardians" not only effectively purify the water, but the microorganisms formed from the decomposition of their fallen leaves also serve as high-quality natural bait for oysters.
The Chengcun Oyster Provincial Modern Agricultural Industrial Park has gathered 15 deep-processing enterprises of aquatic products. Thus far, the annual output of Chengcun oysters has exceeded 60,000 tons, with a comprehensive output value surpassing RMB 700 million.
"We're also tapping into the Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian markets to bring Chengcun oysters to global consumers," said Xie Guangren, General Manager of Yangxi County Chengcun Jinzhi Original Ecological Oyster Co., Ltd.
A mountain-sea tourism destination
Standing on the mangrove observation deck in Chengcun Town and looking out, a vibrant tourist landscape unfolds before your eyes. On one side, the vast mangrove forests sway gently in the wind, with egrets fluttering about; on the other side, extensive oyster rafts stretch out, where oyster farmers are harvesting plump Chengcun oysters.
An oyster farmer is processing freshly harvested Chengcun oysters.
Oysters are being sun-dried.
"Tourists are no longer just having a simple meal of oysters. Instead, they can step into the Oyster Pavilion to learn about oyster culture, climb up to the observation deck to view the vast mangrove forests, enjoy a full oyster feast at local restaurants, and finally stay in oyster-themed guesthouses," said Ao Gaiyan, Director of the Culture, Broadcasting, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Yangxi County.
According to Ao, Yangxi is also developing other tourist routes, linking its most precious mountains, seas, springs, forests, and lakes. These routes will allow tourists to experience the romance of the coast, enjoy forest wellness, soak in rare saltwater mineral hot springs, and slow down to fully immerse themselves in the infinite charm between the mountains and the sea.
How to get there:
Take the high-speed rail from Shenzhen North or Guangzhou South to Yangxi (阳西) Station, and take a 30-minute taxi ride to Hongguang Village (红光村) in Chengcun Town (程村镇).
Reporter | Chen Jinxia
Photo & Video | Qin Shaolong
Editor | Hu Nan, Ou Xiaoming, James Campion, Shen He
