Xingping: The Cormorant Fishermen
The art of photographing the fishermen of Guangxi
Cormorant fishing is a traditional fishing technique which dates back a thousand years in Southern China. The fishermen would light a torch to take out on the water to attract the fish, and their trained cormorant birds would catch them. Unfortunately, today it is a dying art, partly due to the modern fishing techniques that have quickly taken over, and, particularly in Guangxi, China, there simply aren’t enough fish in the rivers anymore. So, these local fishermen have had to rethink their careers in order to make a living and feed their families. And the answer to this was simple: tourism.
Grandpa Huang hard at work
China is now seeing more international and domestic tourists than ever before. With the bout of tourism comes a new demand for skills, and one of these demands was photographic models, which the fishermen took to quickly. And who is to blame them? They earn a much better living now, and until the demand is gone, if they don’t do it, someone else will. So if you want to meet these fascinating men and learn about and photograph this art form, keep on reading!
The cormorant fisherman as the sun sets on the Li River
The best place to see the fishermen is the sleepy village of Xingping, a short bus or train ride from Guilin and Yangshuo. (The new Yangshuo high-speed train station is actually incredibly close to Xingping town, and will take you straight back to Guilin much faster than the bus). Stay at This Old Place International Youth Hostel in Xingping and you’ll be able to organise visiting the fishermen from there. The fishermen stay on the Li River which runs through the village, and for the best photos, you’ll want to head down to the river late afternoon. Grandpa Huang, one of the local fishermen/models in the area, will happily show you the art of cormorant fishing and will let you photograph him too. The rafts are those that the fishermen have used for decades, and the cormorants are fascinating creatures who have been expertly trained. Afterwards, head back into the town and grab some delicious Guilin Rice Noodles at a local restaurant and get an early night as the karst mountain views around Xingping are well worth waking up early for.
Xingping, China