An Ocean Maze - Yantian, Xiapu

A popular sight in Xiapu is the sea maze kind of marine farming in Qidou of Ningde County, where local sea farmers make use of the natural soft sediment habitats around the estuaries along the coastline to breed, farm and harvest sea products like razor clam, cockle shell, oyster, shrimp and crab. Layers and layers of dikes are ditched and reformed into various sizes, shapes and lengths, within the tidal flats. Tremendous amount of shelled creatures are lost in these man made sea maze and not able to find way out after they are flooded in with rising water during high tides.  Fishermen begin to collect the victims when tides ebb. This is the moment when tidal flat reveal its mysterious world from the water level. The exposed dikes appear in lines and look like an oracle pattern under your eye lids. It is an enchanting sight, especially when the sun begin to set. 



Besides Qiduo, sea maze culture are also found in Chang-Qishan Zhennan Village at Yantian bay . Bright sky light and mirror like water surface are important factors for a charming sight.



Tidal movements create charm and magic to stages of these displays under the sky.



Network of linings, cages and nets are used for trapping crabs and other shelled sea products.












The lines of inter crossing dikes appear in interesting designs from far, some look like fish while some like Chinese fan or banana leave.










A













Lines of  muddy dikes are hidden under this vast area of  water surface in Yantian Bay.









The village of Zhen-nan Chang-Qishan in Yantian Bay.






Ocean maze at Yantian Bay is a favorable destination for many photographers and those enthusiastic about photographing.