Xiangshan Fishing Culture Conservation Zone is recently listed as a national cultural conservation zone. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism recently unveiled its list of national cultural conservation zones.

A total of seven zones were listed, including the Xiangshan Fishing Culture Conservation Zone, the only zone in East China's Zhejiang province to receive the honor.

Xiangshan, a county-level city in Ningbo, has a long history of marine fishing and has been dubbed a "sea museum without walls".

In 2010, the Ministry of Culture approved the establishment of the Xiangshan Fishing Culture Conservation Zone, and since then Xiangshan has worked tirelessly to protect the local fishing culture.

In recent years, a series of facilities focusing on local folk culture including a museum, gallery and workshops have been set up in Xiangshan, receiving more than 350,000 visitors annually.

The city has been designated a national marine ecological civilization demonstration zone, with two national nature reserves and two national marine parks.

A comprehensive marine fishing cultural and creative park offering accommodations, tourism and cultural displays is currently under construction in the city.

With an investment of 210 million yuan ($31.34 million), the park is expected to be put into use in 2020.

Local authorities have also made strenuous efforts to promote local fishing culture.

Each year, numerous experts and scholars from across the nation gather in Xiangshan to attend the China Marine Forum, where they contribute their ideas on the development of marine fishing culture.

The city also launched lectures on local intangible culture. To date, more than 350 such lectures have been held, with over 10,000 people having attended.