An angle to consider: Fishing tourism on the rise in south China

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Tanmen Township in Hainan Province has developed a fishing tourism initiative that attracted 89,600 visitors during the recent National Day holiday, generating CNY3.08 million in revenue through sea-angling tours, seafood dining, and homestay experiences. This initiative supports the local economy by blending traditional fishing heritage with recreational tourism, with ongoing infrastructure upgrades aimed at sustaining growth and improving fishermen's livelihoods.

A fishing tourism initiative in Tanmen Township, Qionghai, located in China’s southern Hainan Province, has attracted growing numbers of visitors seeking to experience the local maritime culture and recreational fishing activities.

During the recent National Day holiday in early October, Tanmen hosted approximately 89,600 tourists, generating around CNY3.08 million (RM1.87 million) in tourism revenue, according to local data. Visitors are invited to participate in sea-angling excursions aboard traditional wooden fishing vessels guided by local fishermen, offering an immersive experience of life at sea. These activities are complemented by seafood dining along Fugang Road and stays in traditional fishermen’s homestays in nearby Paigang Village, creating a comprehensive tourism offering that emphasizes the town’s fishing heritage.

Tanmen has long been shaped by its fishing industry, with generations of seafaring knowledge and established port infrastructure supporting its evolution into a recreational fishing destination. In recent years, the township has sought to diversify its economy by integrating leisure fishing, cultural tours, seafood retail, and homestay accommodations.

One notable example is entrepreneur Yang Liguo from Beijing, who invested more than CNY3 million (RM1.82 million) to convert a 205-tonne wooden fishing boat into a recreational sea-angling vessel that maintains traditional maritime elements. Yang’s vessel, operational since May 2025, preserves the boat’s all-wood structure and includes historical fishing tools while being equipped with modern safety equipment. The boat hosts educational tours aimed at sharing Tanmen’s maritime history, including stories about the Maritime Silk Road and the use of “Geng Lu Bu,” traditional sailing-route manuals.

Tanmen’s recreational fishery sector has seen significant growth. Official statistics indicate that Qionghai’s recreational fishery output reached CNY284 million (RM173.25 million) in 2025. From January to August 2026, Tanmen reported 1.33 million tourist visits and tourism revenue of CNY47.8 million (RM29.16 million).

Local authorities are actively working to enhance tourism infrastructure. Li Zhi, party chief of Tanmen Township, recently oversaw renovations at the central fishing port, focusing on facilities that support both traditional fishing and the emerging recreational sector. Plans for the upgraded port include a 310-meter pier dedicated to recreational fishing with capacity for 19 boats, as well as the addition of a beach, observation lighthouse, and a seafood market.

Li emphasized the importance of balanced development, stating that advancing both traditional and recreational fishing industries will help improve local livelihoods and elevate living standards for fishermen. These efforts highlight Tanmen’s approach to preserving its fishing heritage while fostering sustainable tourism growth.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.