Time-honored Gangmen Village Brimming with Vitality

What is the story of Sanya behind an ancient village set in Yazhou District of Sanya?

01 Looking Back on History · Gangmen Village

As a coastal fishing village in Sanya, Gangmen Village is set at the marine outfall of the Ningyuan River, the mother river of Sanya, facing the sea and the green hills in the north. It enjoys superior geographical location and naturally formed port, hence its name "Gangmen". Since ancient times, Gangmen has been one of the most important fishing ports in Yazhou, which holds a history of more than 2,600 years. Yazhou is, in some people's eyes, the birthplace of Sanya civilization, of which Gangmen is then an important part. According to historical records, villages have been formed here as early as the Ming Dynasty. People in Gangmen make a living in the given sea, for which the sea route is equivalent to their lifeline. The sound of ships coming and going and the crowing and barking of cocks and dogs on the shore activate the most distinctive flavor of the port.

02 Beautiful Transformation · Gangmen Village

Time ticks away and years go by. Gangmen Village holds both worldly enjoyment and past stories. This ancient seaside village with rich fishing port culture has now completed its beautiful transformation, turning into a beautiful village where people live and work in peace and contentment. It is not as prosperous as the downtown, yet it enjoys a pleasant and boisterous rhythm.

Gangmen people are industrious and frugal, serving as fishermen, farmers and merchants. When you walk into Gangmen Village, such a scene will jump into your sight: In the early morning, vendors of various shops display fruits and vegetables and promote them with enthusiasm; grannies prepare all kinds of special breakfasts of Gangmen for sale; villagers shuttle around stalls to choose their favored dishes. Such a plain life is quite common in Gangmen Village.

03 A Bite of Delicacy · Gangmen Village

On the streets and alleys of Gangmen are local delicacies such as Gangmen noodles, Gangmen sour noodles, and Gangmen rice dumplings that can be seen in every corner.

In a bowl of Gangmen sour noodles with a perfect combination of color, aroma and taste is not only one kind of noodles, but also the mellow white bun, the smooth handmade noodles, and the sweet potato noodles brimming with the fragrance of plants, which blend with the soup while reserving differences. Coupled with multiple side dishes, the ingredients collide with delicious sparks on the tip of the tongue, and the sour and sweet taste thereby permeates the life of Gangmen people.

In addition to the authentic street snacks, the midnight ones in Gangmen are even more appealing. When the night closes in, the food stalls, barbecue stalls and greasy spoons on the roadside of Gangmen are open one after another, attracting people to stop by. Taking sophisticated methods, Gangmen people manage to "tame" all kinds of ordinary delicacies on the sizzling oven. The addition of special seasonings, green orange juice, cumin powder, chili and white sesame seeds serves an excellent barbecue in Gangmen.

Food stalls often use local ingredients, so that all kinds of fresh seafood require no thick oil and red sauce, for their original flavor can be retained to the greatest extent simply in the intense heat. Stir-fried scallops with chives, fish soup with pickled cabbage, stir-fried pork tongue with peppers, etc. are all on the list. These delicacies not only satisfy the taste buds of diners, but also soften the locals' homesickness and expectations for life.

Whether it is the memory of history or the memory of taste buds, they are all traces hidden beneath Gangmen Village. This village, with no "sense of distance" but full of stories, is worth exploring.