Ningbo Fishermen's Festival

象山开渔节

View on map
Food & DrinkXiangshan/Ningbo
DatesDates TBA · Usually SeptemberCheck locally before booking
DurationAutumnEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forRegional food & drinkUnlike festivals that stage a historic
Language["zh-Hans"]Currency: CNY
CategoryFood & DrinkFestival type
The story

Ningbo Fishermen's Festival in Xiangshan/Ningbo

The Xiangshan Fishing Festival, launched in 1998 in this Zhejiang county near Ningbo, marks the end of the summer fishing moratorium each September with a traditional Mazu sea-worship ceremony at Shipu Town's harbour before thousands of working fishing vessels depart together for the new season.

Thousands of fishing boats setting out together from a single harbour is the image that anchors the Xiangshan Fishing Festival, known locally as the China Fishing Season Festival, staged each September in Xiangshan County on the Zhejiang coast near Ningbo.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Unlike festivals that stage a historic fishing departure as reenactment, Xiangshan's send-off is the real, policy-timed re-entry of a working commercial fleet into the East China Sea, set by the fisheries moratorium calendar rather than a fixed folk date

02

The mystery stays covered

The Mazu sea-worship ceremony performed before the fleet departs ties the event to a specific, documented maritime deity tradition rather than a generic blessing

03

The city starts moving

The scale, thousands of actual working vessels departing from one harbour on one day, is not replicable at symbolic or purely cultural fishing festivals elsewhere

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Fishermen and their families take part in a Mazu sea-worship ceremony at the harbour before the fleet departs

Water and renewal

Living ritual

invoking the coastal goddess for safe passage and a good catch at the start of the new fishing season

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually September

Getting around

For Ningbo Fishermen's Festival, plan transport around the exact Xiangshan/Ningbo venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Wear non-slip shoes for wet harbour surfaces and a windproof layer for open dockside standing; September sea air off Xiangshan can turn cool and gusty even when inland temperatures are mild.

Safety

Use normal food-market caution, hydrate, and leave time between crowded stalls.

Where to stay

For Ningbo Fishermen's Festival, stay near the part of Xiangshan/Ningbo you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Entry may be free while tastings, meals, or special tables are paid locally.

Language/currency

["zh-Hans"] · CNY

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map31.22 N, 121.46 EOpen in Google Maps

Xiangshan/Ningbo, Zhejiang, China

Nearest airportSZX — Shenzhen Bao'an
TransportFor Ningbo Fishermen's Festival, plan transport around the exact Xiangshan/Ningbo venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Ningbo Fishermen's Festival, stay near the part of Xiangshan/Ningbo you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Xiangshan/Ningbo via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Xiangshan/Ningbo, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearWear non-slip shoes for wet harbour surfaces and a windproof layer for open dockside standing; September sea air off Xiangshan can turn cool and gusty even when inland temperatures are mild.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for China and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Ningbo Fishermen's Festival?

Ningbo Fishermen's Festival is listed for September · Autumn. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Ningbo Fishermen's Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Xiangshan/Ningbo, China. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Autumn is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Xiangshan/Ningbo, Zhejiang, China

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually September
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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