The Changdao fishing song, which can be traced back to 300 years ago, came from Tuoji Island, a fishing area in Changdao County, Yantai, Shandong Province. During the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), fisherman created the song to coordinate their fishing actions.

During that time, Tuoji Island boasted more than 300 vessels, forming a strong force for marine production. The vessels used to work in the fishing areas around Yantai, Laizhou, the Gulf of Bohai and the Gulf of Liaodong. Thus the fishing songs from Changdao had spread to the Bohai Sea and the northern part of the Yellow Sea.

Each ship required more than 18 people for fishing operation. The main feature of a Changdao fishing song used to be yelling. Fishing songs gradually developed a unified pace and coordinated actions.

The Changdao fishing song uses simple words, bold intonations, unrestrained emotions, and strong local flavor, which symbolizes the unified energy of fishermen. The song has become an important part of the marine folk culture and has created great historical, cultural and scientific values.