Yuan Gang Tourist Fishing Port Introduction
Yuanli Port, formerly known as Yuanli Gang, is named for its location at the mouth of the Yuanli River, serving as the region's entry and exit port after the Tudi Gong Port. According to Cai Zhenfeng's "Yuanli Chronicle," Yuanli Port is relatively wide and deep, free of obstructions, allowing for the docking of many merchant ships, creating a scene of masts and bustling fishermen. Yuanli Port was included as one of the Eight Scenic Views of Pengshan, but it declined after Japanese rule due to the prohibition of maritime trade with China. Around the 80th year of the Republic of China, it was developed into a tourist fishing port, providing visitors with seafood snacks, deep-sea fishing, and other leisure activities. The "Yuanli Tourist Fishing Port" is located at the northern end of Yuanli Township's coastline. Initially, it was a simple boat harbor at the river mouth, but it gradually transformed into a tourist fishing port through planning and construction. It features an activity center for fishermen, a sea-view pavilion, children's play equipment, a fish grilling area, shaded flower racks, a performance square, a processing facility, a direct sales center, a shellfish breeding pond, a camping area, a parking lot, walking paths, an arch bridge, and pavilions. The plaza on the west side has been developed into green spaces, sports fields, and nostalgic bike paths, accommodating morning runs, sports, kite flying, sunset watching, and listening to the waves, making it a multifunctional recreational fishing port. Here, visitors can not only buy fresh fish but also enjoy seaside activities, combining land and sea — fishing on the shore, flying kites with children, or exploring the beach to catch clams and crabs while playing in the sand, sharing joyful family moments. However, being a fishing port, the most appealing aspect is still the fresh seafood! The market fish auction at Yuanli Tourist Fishing Port takes place daily at 6:30 AM, where freshly caught, lively fish are auctioned to market vendors and restaurant owners. Naturally, many local residents also wake up early to select fish to cook at home. The seafood here is cheaper and fresher than what is sold in markets, making early morning shopping worthwhile. The activity center of the Yuanli Tourist Fishing Port also includes a restaurant serving freshly caught seafood, with dishes depending on what is caught by the fishing boats that day, ensuring fresh and delicious meals. If you plan to visit the fishing port in the afternoon, be sure not to miss the beautiful sunset at Yuanli Tourist Fishing Port. The golden glow dances on the glassy waves, accompanied by the sound of the sea, as the surroundings transition from warm reddish-brown to soft golden hues, providing a relaxing atmosphere that makes one feel infinitely at ease. Many visitors specifically come here to enjoy the sunset! "Yuanli Fish Balls" are famous far and wide. The Yuanli Tourist Fishing Port is characterized by its typical sandy shores along the western coast, featuring significant tidal fluctuations, gentle and wide beaches, and deep intertidal zones, resulting in abundant coastal fisheries. The main catch during spring includes mullet, mackerel, pomfret, and ribbonfish, while during summer and autumn, it includes squid, flatfish, and crabs. In winter, mullet, mullet, mackerel, pomfret, and ribbonfish are predominant. There are rich fish catches throughout the year, allowing the public to enjoy fresh seafood all year round. The coastal sandbar shark and double-snout shark are produced in large quantities in the Yuanli area. However, in the early post-war period, due to inconvenient transportation and the sharks' short shelf life, when the fishing season produced an abundance, supply often exceeded demand, making sales unbalanced. Fishermen began making fish balls using shark meat to solve this imbalance. As the fish balls are made from fresh coastal sharks, they are delicious and have a delightful texture and elasticity, leading to their popularity. "Yuanli Fish Balls" quickly gained a reputation and have become a well-known specialty in Yuanli.
