The villages of China blend nature and community pride
Life in China, a rural lake town in central Maine, offers a small-town setting with natural beauty. Home to about 4,500 residents, China provides a laid-back atmosphere amid serene bodies of water. China Lake, with its cabins and camps surrounding the shoreline, is a popular destination for both locals and seasonal visitors. “When people want to get away from the city, they come here,” says Traci Britten, local librarian at China Primary School who has lived in China for more than 30 years. “You grow up doing camp here, and then you stay. We’re also in a good school district, with a private high school nearby.”
China encompasses four villages: China Village, South China, Weeks Mills and Branch Mills, each contributing in their own way to the town's close-knit community atmosphere. China Village, located at the northern basin of China Lake, offers a serene atmosphere. South China, at the lake’s southern basin, is also known for its lakeside beauty and reputable Erskine Academy. Weeks Mills, the southernmost village, provides a quaint, rural setting, while Branch Mills, on the east side, sits on Branch Pond.
China Lake and a town forest offer outdoor adventure
A major draw to China is its outdoor recreational opportunities, namely on China Lake. While there are no public beaches, the lake is a popular spot for residents who own private camps and cabins along the water. There are two boat launches on either end of the lake. The smaller Three Mile Pond and Branch Pond also provide a quintessential Maine waterfront lifestyle. The China Region Lakes Alliance and China Lake Association work to preserve and protect the water quality of the town's lakes, focusing on issues like algae blooms.
A recreation field between China Primary School and China Middle School has lighted baseball diamonds and soccer fields. Behind these ballfields, the China School’s Forest boasts a main 1.6-mile loop hiking trail with additional trails branching from there. The forest features educational stops, used by the local schools and community for experiential learning. China also has two public libraries: The Albert Church Brown Memorial Library in China Village and the South China Public Library in South China.
New England styles range from Cape Cods to Colonials
China's housing market offers a variety of New England styles, with a median sale price of around $240,000. Approximately 83% of residents own their homes, which helps to establish a strong sense of community pride. On the lower end, buyers can find a selection of mobile homes, some on multiple acres and some completely renovated, for $50,000 to $250,000. Slightly larger ranch styles, Cape Cod cabins, split-levels and colonial-inspired homes, many with multicar garages and acreage, can cost from $185,000 to $385,000. New England lakefront styles, including Cape Cod camps and two- to three-story chalets, offer private water access and woodsy seclusion. These waterfront cabins typically range from $395,000 to $780,000.
Local markets and eateries line U.S. Route 202
Anchored by U.S. Route 202, the main artery running north-south through town, China’s dining and retail scene is spread across the four villages. In China Village, China Lake Provisions stands out as a cozy deli and market with niche grocery and craft items, as well as made-to-order options. Centrally located on the highway, Majek Seafood & Grill brings a bright, coastal atmosphere to inland Maine, with lobster rolls and outdoor seating. South China features a few eateries, including Back’s Dairy Bar, a popular ice creamery with a rotating selection of handmade flavors. “Our town manager opened Back’s, which stands for her family: Becky, Andy, Christine, and their dog Spike,” Britten says. “And we just got a Hannaford around 2010.”
China Community Days highlights town spirit
Each August, China Community Days brings residents together for a variety of outdoor activities and events. “China Days is huge,” Britten says. “They do things for the kids, have really good bands, and it’s a really good community day.” The three-day celebration includes a boat regatta, a color run, craft and food vendors, a lighted boat parade, a barbeque and live music. The celebration usually ends with a fishing derby and forest walks through the China School’s Forest.
Students can attend China schools and Erskine Academy
Students can begin at China Primary School, which receives a B-plus rating from Niche, before advancing to China Middle School, which has a B. Students then have school choice to attend any public school in China or the surrounding towns of Winslow, Waterville, Augusta and Oakland. The local Messalonskee High School holds a B-minus. Older learners can also attend Erskine Academy, a private high school located in South China. Britten explains that surrounding towns provide tuition for students to attend Erskine.
U.S. Route 202 serves the car-dependent town
U.S. Route 202 connects residents to surrounding towns. About 12 miles southwest on the highway leads to Augusta, the state capital, and about 8 miles northwest is the town of Winslow. Both neighboring communities feature a Maine General Medical Center. China is car-dependent, as no public bus or train services the area.
Written By
Mary Beth Greene
