An aerial view of Lyusi fishing port in Qidong, a county-level city in Nantong in East China's Jiangsu province. [Photo/WeChat account: qdrmt0513]

Lyusi, a fishing port in Qidong, a county-level city in Nantong in East China's Jiangsu province, has turned into a commercial port and a popular tourist destination due to its attractive coastal scenery and tasty food.

Driving on the highway nearby Lyusi, tourists are fascinated by the attractions with "ancient town", "fishing port" and "immortal culture" as the theme elements.

The unique features of the Yangtze River in the south have given birth to a fresh food and seafood culture in the portal town. Lyusi's seafood is carefully selected and the main ingredients are considered of high quality. Steamed yellow croaker, braised pomfret, purple cake, and stir-fried cuttlefish flowers all attract thousands of Chinese and foreign tourists to Lyusi, who like to listen to the sound of the waves, admire the sea, listen to fisherman's songs and taste seafood.

In September 2019, the new Lyusi fishing port opened for use. The harbor can accommodate 2,300 fishing boats, making it the largest and most rationally laid-out artificial fishing port in China.

In 2022, the total output of aquatic products in Lyusi port town was 313,100 metric tons, and the total output value of the fishing industry was 5.3 billion yuan ($736 million). The town’s annual output of marine fishing accounts for almost one-third of Jiangsu province's total output and half of Nantong's.

Today, Lyusi is transitioning from a thousand-year-old fishing port into a large commercial port. It has contributed to the success of the Belt and Road Initiative.