On the sea surface more than 40 kilometers southeast of Xiapu County, Ningde, Fujian, there is a string of emerald islands scattered around, which the locals call the "Silu Islands". This archipelago, consisting of 18 islands and 17 reefs, including Beilu, Nanlu, Donglu, and Xilu, is like a forgotten fairyland, maintaining a mysterious silence in the turbulent waves of the East China Sea.
When you board Beilu Island, time seems to have been blown away by the sea breeze. There are only a hundred households on the island, living a peaceful life. Their houses are built on the mountain, layer by layer, and the white walls and black tiles are dotted with drying fishing nets and seafood. The fishermen work at sunrise and rest at sunset, and their rhythm of life is synchronized with the tide. Here, mobile phone signals are intermittent, and the Internet has become a luxury, which makes people rediscover the joy of face-to-face conversation. The old people were telling the legend of Mazu, the "Goddess of the Sea", under the banyan tree, the children were looking for conches and shells among the reefs, and the women were mending fishing nets. Everything was simple and fulfilling.
The sea erosion landforms of Dongluo Island are a wonder. The steep cliffs are carved into strange shapes by the waves, some are like swords piercing the seabed, and some are like giants overlooking the waves. When the tide recedes, mysterious caves are exposed between the reefs, filled with pebbles polished by the sea water. The most amazing thing is the "Tongtian Cave" on the island. The sunlight shines through the hole at the top, forming a swaying light spot on the water surface in the cave, like a portal to another world. Geologists say that these landforms were formed by crustal movement billions of years ago, while local fishermen believe that these are the remains of the Dragon King's palace.
Nanluo Island has a rare pebble beach. Thousands of perfectly round pebbles cover hundreds of meters of coastline. Whenever the waves recede, the stones rub against each other and make a crisp sound, like a symphony of nature. After countless centuries of scouring, each of these stones is as smooth as jade and gleams with a subtle luster in the sun. Interestingly, these stones are said to "grow". Every year, new pebbles appear on the beach. In fact, it is the result of the waves constantly pushing the stones from the deep to the shore.
The waters around the Sihe Islands are a paradise for many marine creatures. Every spring and summer, groups of dolphins play among the islands, and occasionally you can see the endangered Chinese white dolphin. The reef area is the habitat of various shellfish and seaweed, and the intertidal zone is full of crabs, starfish and colorful fish. At dusk, the spectacular sight of seabirds returning to their nests is unforgettable. Thousands of seagulls, egrets and other seabirds hover over the islands, and their cries echo between the sea and the sky.
The beauty of the Sihe Islands lies in its isolation. There are no luxury hotels or noisy tourist facilities here, only the purest island scenery. Going to the island depends on the weather, and taking a boat depends on luck, which just preserves the most authentic appearance of the island. When urban people lose themselves in steel and concrete, the Sishan Islands are like a silent wise man, reminding us that life can be so simple and rich.
