Special maritime adventures unfold in Zhoushan

The opening ceremony takes place for the marine study tour in Zhoushan. [Photo/zhoushan.cn]

A very special study tour took place recently in Cangdong village on Liuheng Island of Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province.

It drew nearly 300 parent-child couples from Hangzhou in Zhejiang and Zhoushan to participate in an immersive journey into the maritime sector that is flourishing in Zhoushan.

The event opened with a dynamic dragon dance performance, accompanied by drumbeats that electrified the atmosphere. The kids then eagerly engaged in interactive quizzes that introduced them to Liuheng's rich maritime heritage.

After the opening ceremony, the participants then explored a variety of themed activities.

Young eco-guardians joined a beach clean-up, while others raced through the mudflats — collecting shells, snails, and crabs. In the arts and crafts workshop, children painted umbrellas under the watchful gaze of supervisors. Meanwhile, budding anglers cast their lines by the seawall, enjoying the tranquil moments of fishing.

The study group also witnessed the advances that are currently taking place in the maritime technology and shipbuilding sectors there.

"It's my first time on Liuheng," said 10-year-old Xu Sitong from Hangzhou. "The ships were enormous and I saw so many things you can't learn from textbooks. It really opened my eyes to ocean culture and modern engineering," Xu added.

Nestling on Liuheng Island's southeastern coast, Cangdong village is known for its scenic coastline and maritime-based economy. In fact, the village is ramping up its sea fishing, homestays, and tourism sectors to boost its overall development.

The event not only provided the kids with hands-on marine education and cultural experiences, but also injected new energy into Liuheng's rural development and tourism industry.