Strolling Freely Through the Ocean Fishing Village

On a scorching afternoon when the sun melted everything into gold, the salty tang of the Fisherman's Wharf clung to the humid sea breeze. At this moment, I had the quiet Kunpeng Village all to myself—its lanes deserted, save for the distant chirping of cicadas bouncing off walls painted in varying shades of blue. Pale blue doors, azure eaves, and lake-blue window frames made the entire fishing village seem as if it had just been hauled up from the depths of the ocean, where fish dart through shallow waters and seaweed sways gently. Climbing the stone steps, a massive whale mural suddenly leaped into view. The arc of dolphins chasing waves was frozen onto weathered bricks, while red coral clusters twisted into a flowing sea. Beneath a mural of fishermen casting nets, real fishing nets lay drying in the sun. The faint briny scent mingled with the smell of paint, rising in the heat. At the highest stone platform, an ancient lighthouse stood alongside a modern one. Beyond them stretched the shimmering silver waves of the South China Sea, dotted with the silhouettes of a few fishing boats. Suddenly, laughter spilled from under a tree—a group of elderly women sat together, drying fish under the sun. The intense aroma of salted fish drifted over the steps. They told me the path ahead led nowhere. Below the cliffs, sea breezes fluttered clothes drying on chains. I never did find the highest vantage point to overlook the entire village. On my way down, a sun-darkened fisherman carrying a crate of seafood passed by slowly, bringing with him the scent of the ocean as he walked through the cool, tranquil village. Address: Kunpeng Village, Taishan, Jiangmen Transport: Self-driving is recommended—parking is convenient, and there don’t seem to be any direct bus routes. Visit: A serene coastal fishing village built into the hillside, with staggered layers of houses. The blue murals transform the village into an underwater world. Nearby attractions include Fisherman’s Wharf and the ancient town of Guanghai, perfect for exploring other Overseas Chinese heritage routes.