Fishermen in Ningbo's Xiangshan celebrate festival thanking the ocean

Fishermen and their families and friends attend a feast during the Xieyang Festival. [Photo/Tide News]

Fishermen from the Dongmen Island of Shipu town in Xiangshan county, Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province came together to celebrate their annual Xieyang Festival ("谢洋节" in Chinese and literally translated as Thanking Ocean Festival ) on August 12.

At dusk of the day, the picturesque coastal platform was adorned with over 100 tables which together formed a thanksgiving feast to the sea. More than 1,000 people gathered, including fishermen and their families, to enjoy palatable seasonal seafood.

An intangible cultural heritage exhibition is held at Dongmen Old Street. [Photo/Tide News]

The festival also featured an intangible cultural heritage exhibition where visitors could immerse themselves in Shipu's fishing culture.

The Xieyang Festival is a time-honored folk ritual among Dongmen fishermen and dates back more than a millennium. Originating from gratitude for the safe return of fishing boats and the bounties of the sea, the festival represents a way to express the appreciation of fishermen and their families to the ocean.

Locals prepare seafood dishes for the festival. [Photo/Tide News]