Romantic Colors of the “Santorini in the East”

By Mo Tingting

Sometimes life is like a thief, stealing joy and comfort from you, instead of presenting adversity and desperation. However, it’s you that can decorate or approach the colorful and brilliant surroundings to make a change. You don’t need to go to Italy’s Cinque Terre, Mexico’s artistic Guanajuato, Venice, or Santorini in Greece. A travel destination will be recommended to you. It lies in Zhejiang Province’s Shitang Town called “China’s Cape of Good Hope” which greets China’s first dawn of the new millennium. And the fairytale-like Xiaoruo Village in Shitang is full of your childhood’s colorful dreams.

Living in stone houses and facing the sea

Are you tired of the urban life surrounded by reinforced concrete and do you want to start a journey? Shitang Town is a leisure place to enjoy the sea breeze, waves, beaches, stone houses and unidentified graffiti as everyone worries about going to crowded places after the outbreak of the COVID-19. 

Shitang Town is located in the southern wing of the Yangtze River Delta, with three sides facing the sea. Stone house is a striking feature there. The buildings in Shitang were all built against the mountain, boasting a great view platform to appreciate the sunrise and sunset directly. People of Shitang took the stones on the spot as materials to form unique houses, streets and alleys. The houses and roads in the town were built with the rise and fall of the mountains. Now there are more than 500 stone houses and 30 boutique B&Bs with different themes, big and small. These houses are strong enough to resist the wind. They look a bit like medieval European castles. The cracks in the crooked stone street are covered with weeds and moss, which are the best evidence of time.

When in good weather, it is time for basking in the sunhouse under the mountains. The sun here slowly rises from the east and then reddens the sky. Under the blue sky, in front of the stone-built room, Shitang Town is very eye-catching, bringing a strong vitality to this summer. Here, you can try a lot of things, like chasing the waves, greeting the first light, and watching the scene of sunset.

You can also walk into the fishermen’s home to appreciate their folk customs. Most of the fishermen in Shitang are from Fujian Province. For 300 years, although they are far away from their hometowns, they continue to live in the clan and follow local customs such as the drum playing in the fishing village, Qixi Holiday and Little People’s Holiday. When you walk along with the stone steps, you can always see such a scene that a local grandma is leisurely sitting under the sun. People living here for generations have hardworking temperaments and splendid souls. They have the ambition to fight the sea and the waves. In the early morning, the fishermen are always busy on the shore or in the sea. The seafood here is delicate and delicious. The steamed marine fish is the charisma of Shitang’s diet. You can feel free to enter large and small hotels to taste a variety of fresh seafood.

At present, Shitang has built a road in the coastal area called the greenway. If you are a fitness-loving friend, it is very pleasant to walk on the greenway at nightfall. These views of dog tail grasses, small yellow flowers and unknown weeds are fascinating gifts of nature. Here, you can slow down your pace of life, go to the stone house hidden in the mountains and seas, visit the ancient castle tower, listen to local legends, taste the unique flavors of the ancient food, and experience the romance of the “Santorini in the East”.

Colorful palette of Xiaoruo Village

In addition to stone houses and seascapes in Shitang, Xiaoruo Village adorned with graffiti and murals is a mustsee place. Xiaoruo Village is a small fishing village in the southwest of the Shitang Town. Is there such a small village full of my childhood’s colorful dreams? If so, it is Xiaoruo Village. Each household is decorated in a variety of colors according to their own preferences and moods. Multicolored crocks stand by the window. The stone steps are all exciting rainbow colors, and the fishing boats docked along the coast are painted in different colors. Looking at the colorful island in the air, you can clearly see the colorful stone houses are arranged in a patchwork manner. It is said to be “China’s Cinque Terre”, but it’s not messy. The painting here does not disturb the lives of the residents. It is still as simple as usual.

This place is not only the Notre Dame in the east, but also the cradle of painters. Originally, in order to protect the original stone houses, the exterior walls were painted. Since the 1960s, the local government has encouraged farmers to plant land during busy farming and paint in leisure farming. Later, many people have become wellknown painters. 

Every lane here can be connected. Even if you don’t recognize the road, it doesn’t matter. You will always go back to the original circle. Naturally, it goes without saying that this island is very photogenic. No matter it is sunny or rainy, a lot of people come here to take photos and punch cards to satisfy their teenage hearts. It’s suitable for selfdriving friends and family outgoing. Rumor has it that proposing to your loved one here has a high success rate.

During the day when you don’t want to move, you can sleep on the sofa, with a pot of tea, a book and a piece of light music. In the dead of night, you can listen to the waves. In Xiaoruo Village, you will be happier and more sensitive tocolors.

Tips

1.Temperature difference between day and night in Shitang is large, so you must bring good cold clothes, so as not to catch a cold.

2.The colors of Xiaoruo Village are diverse, so it is more recommended to wear lighter clothes such as light pink or white according to the season.

3.You can open your door with the door card. The outsiders can’t get in. It is very safe.

Source: China-ASEAN Panorama