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Yangjiang Fishing Boats Set Sail: A Seafood Feast & Maritime Spectacle

Why did 3,400 Boats Depart Simultaneously From the South China Sea?

Destination:ChinaProvince:GuangdongCity:Yangjiang
Why did 3,400 Boats Depart Simultaneously From the South China Sea?
Rafa Goes Around!8 min

Why did 3,400 Boats Depart Simultaneously. This was filmed by Rafa Goes Around!. Watch the full journey and explore the filming details and destinations on this page.

Every summer in Yangjiang, China, the end of the fishing ban is celebrated in an unforgettable way, first with a massive seafood feast that stretches for kilometers, and then with the breathtaking sight of 3,400 fishing boats all setting sail at the same time.

--- Rafa Goes Around!
August 17, 2025, Summer in China

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

Rafa Goes Around attends Yangjiang’s South China Sea fishing season opening on Hailing Island. The Tanka tradition brings nearly 8,000 tables and 10,000 guests along a 2-kilometer coastal strip for a seafood feast. Guests share seafood, chicken, pork and vegetables at round tables, and Rafa tries fried fish tofu from a street stall. A wedding parade features a ship-shaped car, chickens and swan decorations. Rain begins during the outdoor meal, but people stay under umbrellas before 3,400 fishing boats depart together.

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Why did 3,400 Boats Depart Simultaneously From the South China Sea?

A Tanka seafood feast in Yangjiang

Rafa Goes Around attends the South China Sea fishing season opening on Hailing Island in Yangjiang. The event is a Tanka tradition, held to wish fishermen safe sailing and prosperity as the fishing season begins. The coastal strip stretches for 2 kilometers and is set with nearly 8,000 tables for about 10,000 guests. The feast is served family-style around large round tables, with seafood, chicken, pork and vegetables. Rafa tries fish tofu from a coastal stall; it is deep-fried and is one of the local snacks served during the festival.

A wedding performance parade adds another part to the event. It includes a car shaped like a ship and decorations featuring chickens and swans, symbols associated with prosperity. The crowd gathers for performances and shared food, and a sudden rain shower does not end the celebration. Many guests remain seated under umbrellas and continue eating.

The boats set sail

The event’s main ceremony sends 3,400 fishing boats toward the South China Sea at the same time. Rafa watches the coordinated departure and is struck by its scale. The gathering combines a fishing-season blessing, a communal meal and a public ceremony. Although the source describes the event as marking the end of the fishing ban as well as the start of the season, the celebration’s stated purpose is to wish for safe sailing and prosperity for fishermen.

FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)

Q: Why is the seafood feast held?
A: The feast marks the beginning of the fishing season for the Tanka community and is a way to wish fishermen safe sailing and prosperity.
Q: What was the most striking part of the event?
A: The setting-sail ceremony, when 3,400 boats depart together toward the South China Sea, is the main spectacle of the festival.
Q: How large was the feast?
A: Nearly 8,000 tables stretched along a 2-kilometer coastal strip, with around 10,000 guests attending.

Previous travel video:

Yangjiang Fishing Boats Set Sail: A Seafood Feast & Maritime Spectacle

Every summer in Yangjiang, China, the end of the fishing ban is celebrated in an unforgettable way, first with a massive seafood feast that stretches for kilometers, and then with the breathtaking sight of 3,400 fishing boats all setting sail at the same time. #travelchina #Guangdong #Fishingseason...

South China Sea Fishing Season Opening: 3,400 Boats Depart Yangjiang

Embark on an extraordinary journey to Yangjiang, China, where the end of the fishing ban transforms the South China Sea into a spectacle of tradition and abundance. Witness a seafood feast stretching for kilometers, a culinary prelude to the main event: the simultaneous departure of over 3,400 fishing boats. This breathtaking display marks the beginning of a new season, a vibrant testament to the region's rich maritime heritage and a truly unforgettable travel experience.

Attractions in this video: Hailing Island, South China Sea