The international "islands connect the world" activity took place in Shengsi county, Zhoushan, Zhejiang province from Sept 9 to 10. People from Russia, Tanzania, and Bangladesh explored the unique fishing customs and charming island culture of Shengsi.

Shengsi county boasts one national intangible cultural heritage item, five provincial-level items, 18 municipal-level items, and 54 county-level items, most of which are characterized by marine culture such as Shengsi fishermen's songs, marine paper-cutting, and fishermen's paintings.

Led by Shu Xinhu, an inheritor of Shengsi fishermen's songs (the local national intangible cultural heritage item), the international guests learned to sing traditional fishermen's songs, experiencing the vitality within the melodies and gaining insight into the lives of the fishermen depicted in the songs.

International guests learn to tie fishing knots on Huanglong Island in Shengsi county, Zhoushan, Zhejiang province. [Photo/wifizs.cn]

The Shengsi Islands, known as a "Fairy Mountain on the Sea" in China, is a national scenic area with over 50 recognized scenic spots. The visitors explored the various scenic areas on foot, experiencing the beauty of nature.

They also visited Huanglong Island, which is home to the area’s most primitive-looking fishing village, where they learned to tie fishing knots led by intangible cultural heritage inheritor Xu Zhili and viewed old photos and artifacts in the fishing customs museum.