Crab Pond

    In 1993, Weihe Village transitioned from fishing to aquaculture. However, the initial attempts with the “Four Major Chinese Farmed Fish” proved unprofitable. Sun Maodong, then Party Branch Secretary, led a fact–finding delegation and identified the potential for hairy crab farming in Weishan Lake. Facing villagers’ concerns about technical expertise, Sun Maodong mobilized the village committee members to pioneer the venture, offering a promise that “If we fail, we’ll cover a year’s losses.” Within a year, their successful harvest dispelled doubts, inspiring widespread adoption among villagers, who eventually mastered the craft. Today, “Weishan Lake Hairy Crabs” are a nationally renowned brand, which have won the “Golden Crab Award” at China’s River Crab Competitions multiple times. Crab farming has stood as a cornerstone of the scenic area’s local economy.