In a magnificent scene reminiscent of bygone days, around 100 fishing boats set sail in Taihu Lake near Suzhou to celebrate the lifting of the annual fishing ban to protect fry.

When it comes to fishing, Mother Nature has blessed Guangfu Town in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, with an abundance of beauty, clean air, water and delicious fish.

The historic town on the banks of the scenic Taihu Lake is renowned for its long history and colorful fishing culture. Over the weekend, a magnificent annual event - 100 fishing boats set sail - was celebrated in one of the town's fishing villages.

The festivities marked the end of the annual fishing ban for Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake. The seven-month-long ban, intended to protect young fish, will be lifted from Friday.

Guangfu Town, 20 kilometers west of Suzhou, got its name in the Southern Liang Dynasty (502-557 AD) when the local Gu family abandoned their residence and built the Guangfu Temple and later renamed the town as well.

Thanks to the abundant water source for Taihu Lake, Guangfu Town is also known for its traditional fishing culture and unique fishing family scenes. If you visit, you can taste the famed delicious food known as "Taihu Lake Three Whites," namely white shrimp, white bait fish and white river fish. The dishes are generally prepared on a boat as one floats on the placid waters of Taihu Lake.

Guangfu Town fishing village is the country's largest inland fishing port, where the ancient fishing tradition and culture are still maintained and some 1,000 antique fishing boats are preserved.

Villagers still use the age-old fishing methods and sing the traditional fishing songs. A thriving market offers a wide variety of delicious fresh water fish, shrimps, crabs and other edible delights that fishermen capture every day.

In addition to the fishing village, tourists can also visit the Guangfu Temple, Guangfu Pagoda and the Ancient Situ Cypress. Dengwei Mountain south of the town is covered with plum trees. In late winter and early spring, plum blossoms transform the slopes into a sea of flowers - the famous "sea of fragrant snow."