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Why Visit Xiapu, Fujian, China
Experience the Breathtaking Spectacle of Tides and Lights
Xiapu, blessed with vast mudflats stretching over 40 kilometers, provides a mesmerizing spectacle that ebbs and flows with the tides. The low tide reveals a canvas of intricate patterns etched by the receding waters, transforming the landscape into a photographer's dream. As the tide rises, the scene morphs into a serene waterscape, with bamboo poles, fishing nets, and boats casting enchanting reflections on the shimmering surface. The interplay of tides and varying light conditions throughout the day offers an endless array of captivating scenes, making Xiapu a paradise for photography enthusiasts.
Discover the Blend of Natural Beauty and Rich Cultural Tapestry
Beyond the mudflats, Xiapu is also home to charming fishing villages such as Dongan and Yantian. Locals, primarily engaged in aquaculture, carry on their traditional way of life amidst this ethereal landscape. Their activities, from seaweed harvesting to fishing, offer dynamic subjects for photography, infusing each frame with life and story.
In the scenic locales of Yangjiaxi and Banyueli, the local people are as much a part of the landscape as the natural elements. They breathe life into the scenes, adding a human touch that makes each photograph more than just a beautiful landscape.
Top Attractions of Xiapu Mudflat
There are a lot of villages to visit in Xiapu County to shoot the best pictures of the sunrise, sunset, hills, and local laboring scenes. Since all villages are surrounded by water on three sides and backed by hills on one side, you can enjoy the best photo position on the hills.
No.1 Beiqi Mudflats (北岐滩涂) - Most Beautiful Sunrise
Highlight: Sunrise and sunset, especially sunrise. Sea foraging. Tiger-skin-like Stripes.
Distance From Xiapu Couty: 7 km / 20 minutes driving
Best View Point: on the edge of a high hill, with a very wide field of vision.
Best View Time: During sunrise in the morning
Beiqi Mudflats, listed as one of the "80 Most Beautiful Places to Photograph in China" by "Digital Photography" magazine, is a classic photography location in Xiapu, offering the most beautiful sunrise in the area. In addition to the sunrise, Beiqi Mudflats are most famous for their "Tiger-skin-like Stripes" sandy beach. The combination of tides and light creates this stunning landscape. At high tide, busy boats shuttle between the pole shadows (seaweed racks), integrating with the sea, distant hills, and islands; at low tide, the mudflats gradually reveal their tiger stripe-like patterns, creating a colorful scene.
No.2 Xiaohao Village (小皓村) - Sandiness Mudflat
Highlight: Sunset, sandiness mudflat, multicolored beach
Distance From Xiapu Couty: 20 km / 30 minutes driving
Best View Point: The top of the hill after passing Xiaohao Village. From here, you can photograph the magnificent seascape and Xiaohao village nestled at the foot of the hill.
Best View Time: Sunset with clouds
Xiaohao Village is one of the must-visit attractions in Xiapu. Its mudflat is not a mudflat in the strict sense, but a sandy beach dominated by sand. Visitors can walk on the mudflats of Xiaohao Beach, play in the water, and experience the distinctive lifestyle of the local sea foragers. Sunset is Xiaohao's "highlight" moment. When the light falls favorably, you can see the huge golden mudflats below the hills changing with the waves. When viewed against the light, the streams flowing across the beach form winding mudflat arteries that shimmer with an enchanting glow.
No.3 Dongbi Village (东壁村) - Most Beautiful Sunset
Highlight: Sunset, Seaweed drying racks
Distance From Xiapu Couty: 28 km / 40 minutes driving
Best View Point: Observation deck
Best View Time: During Sunset.
Dongbi Village (东壁村) in Xiapu is a seaside gem known for its stunning sunsets and unique photographic themes. One of the prime attractions is the expansive mudflat that resembles a golden silk dress under the setting sun. The intricate waterways carve soft, sinuous lines across the mudflat, occasionally forming 'S' shapes, a sight that is both magnificent and rare. The setting sun illuminates bamboo poles which are used to hang seaweed out to dry, casting long shadows and creating an artistic spectacle, thereby enriching the cultural-themed photographic works of Xiapu.
No.4 Huazhu Village (花竹村) - Earliest Sunrise
Highlight: Sunrise, Fuyao Archipelago
Distance From Xiapu Couty: 35 km / 50 minutes driving
Best View Point: Observation deck
Best View Time: During the Sunrise
Huazhu Village is also the best place to view the panoramic scenery of the "Fuyao Archipelago". The sunrise here is particularly magnificent and earliest. Under the scattered light, unpredictable colors present a breathtaking view of harmony between nature and humanity. On days when clouds and fog float by, the sea surface is filled with surging mist, creating a light and soft beauty. The Fuyao Archipelago, appearing and disappearing in the mist, is enchanting like a mirage over the sea.
No.5 Shajiang Village (沙江村) - S Bend Mudflat
Highlight: “S” Bend Mudflat, Sunset
Distance From Xiapu Couty: 25 km / 40 minutes driving
Best View Point: Observation deck, Photography base, Top of the Village
Best View Time: During low tide
Fishing boats snaked through large bay paths which are lined with bamboo poles on the sea of Shajiang. The beautiful lines formed by numerous bamboo poles inserted on the beach are well-arranged. During the harvest season of kelp, the bamboo poles are hung with dried kelp, and fishermen drive their boats on the S-shaped harbor waterway. The scene made up a perfect beach landscape painting. This scene was once featured in a short film introducing China to the Rio Olympic Games.
No.6 Weijiang Village (围江村馒头山) - Mantou-shaped Hill
Highlight: Sunrise, Mantou Hill
Distance From Xiapu Couty: 35 km / 60 minutes driving
Mantou Hill, named after a small, unnamed hill in the sea that resembles a Chinese steamed bun (mantou), is surrounded by water on all sides. At high tide, the glistening sea water encircles it, while at low tide, large areas of exposed mudflats envelop it. Weijiang Village is the best place to admire this hill, especially in the morning. As the sun rises, the morning scene of oyster cultivation along the riverbank creates an elegantly toned picture. This landscape transforms into a picturesque scene full of rhythm when rendered in black and white.
No.7 Xiaqingshan Bridge (下青山大桥) - See Both Sunrise and Sunset
Highlight: Sunrise, Sunset, Huyu'ao Village
Distance From Xiapu Couty: 32 km / 40 minutes driving
Best View Point: On the bridge
Xiaqingshan Bridge is a north-south oriented bridge. Standing on the bridge, you can photograph the sunrise to the east and the sunset to the west. With the distant hills as a backdrop and the sea farming in the foreground, every shot taken here is breathtakingly beautiful. At the southern end of the bridge lies the famous village of Xiapu, Xuyu'ao Village (浒屿澳村), also known as the "Gypsies of the Sea" in China. It is one of the best places to photograph the rich cultural life of the family boat (连家船) people and scenes of labor-intensive activities such as oyster farming.
No.8 Nanwan Village (南湾) - Oracle Bone Scripts (甲骨文)
Highlight: Sea Maze, oracle bone scripts, vibrant nets
Distance From Xiapu Couty: 35 km / 40 minutes driving
Best View Point: Changqi Hill (长岐山) in Nanwan Village
The Nanwan Oracle Bone Script, also known as the Sea Maze (海上迷宫), is a mudflat in Nanwan Village. Due to the requirements of mudflat farming and sea harvesting, fishermen have constructed many incomplete enclosures on the nearshore mudflats. When the tide recedes, they are fully exposed; as the tide rises, parts of the enclosures and sea walls are submerged, and the un-submerged sea walls form intriguing patterns, strongly resembling oracle bone scripts - a wonder of the mudflat scenery. Adjacent to these are the vibrant nets originally used for crab farming, now left for photography, adding a unique charm to the scene.
Explore Xiapu County during Fujian Xiapu Tour
Explore the Nature in Rongfeng Park, Yangjiaxi (杨家溪榕枫公园)
Yangjiaxi is a hidden gem located in Xiapu, a paradise filled with an ethereal aura. Here, you'll find large swathes of maple forests and ancient groups of banyan trees. As a renowned photography location, Yangjia Creek offers numerous unique elements. Sunlight streaming through the dense leaves, the ethereal fog (which can be replicated with artificial smoke), and the presence of people or animals, form an integral part of the photographic composition.
Under the banyan trees of Yangjiaxi, it's typical to see an old man donning a bamboo hat leading a water buffalo, a woman in traditional attire carrying a shoulder pole, and a young girl herding a gaggle of geese with a bamboo basket. These deliberate scenes breathe life into the natural landscape, providing idyllic subjects for photographers.
Tips:
There is an additional cost for photographing these animals and people, approximately 300 yuan per session. However, this price is negotiable.
The best time to photograph is in the morning or afternoon when the sunlight is at an angle. This oblique light can create romantic and dramatic lighting conditions.
Visit Dongan Island (东安鱼排) to Experience Venice of the Sea
Dong'an Island's sea village, revered as the "Venice of the Sea", is home to over a hundred thousand fishing rafts and more than ten thousand people living in wooden houses on the rafts, forming a town floating on the sea.
As you navigate through the area in a small boat, the view from above reveals a tapestry of interwoven fishing rafts, rows of net cages, a multitude of small buildings, and fishing boats continuously weaving their way among the rafts.
Tips:
Dongan Island is about 50 km with 1.5 hours driving away from Xiapu County.
Learn about She Ethnic Culture (畲族文化) in Banyueli Village (半月里)
Nestled in the shape of a half-moon, hence its name Banyueli or "Half-Moon Village", lies an ancient testament to the rich history and culture of the She ethnic group. This 300-year-old village, built during the Qing dynasty, has transformed into a living museum where visitors can immerse themselves in the unique She culture and lifestyle.
A unique feature of Banyueli is the presence of women dressed in traditional She ethnic attire. They can be found throughout the village, in striking poses that depict scenes of traditional She labor. For a fee, visitors get the opportunity to capture these evocative scenes, adding a touch of authenticity and cultural depth to their photographs.
Recommend Photographing Route in Xiapu
There are three classic routes for touring and photography in Xiapu.
East Photography Route - Most Popular and Classic
Included Villages: Beiqi Village, Xiaohao Village, Dongbi Village, Huazhu Village, and Yangjiaxi.
Highlights: diverse mudflats, seaweed farming, islands, the most famous sunrise and sunset over the sea, and the natural beauty of Yangjiaxi.
West Photography Route - Variety with Culture
Included Villages: Ewan Village, Huyu'ao Village, Nanwan Village, and Banyueli.
Highlights: sunrise and sunset of mudflats, oyster farming, seaweed harvesting, fishing villages under the sea, and other cultural and natural scenery.
South Photography Route
Included Villages: Shatangli Village, Beidou Village, Shajiang Village, Weijiang Village, and Dongan Island.
Highlights: folk life at fishing villages, ancient folk houses, dwellings and other cultural landscapes.
How to Plan a Xiapu Tour with Top Attractions
When you visit Xiapu, a photo tour is essential. Generally, it takes 3-4 days to travel around Xiapu.
On day 1, visit Xiaohao Beach for sunset after arriving in Xiapu by high-speed train.
On day 2, visit Huazhu Village, admiring the sun rise up from the islands. Then drive to Yangjiaxi to explore the rural life in the mist forest of the ancient banyan trees. Go to Nanwan Village for the Sea Maze. Finally, Drive to the Xiaqingshan Bridge to admire the sunset of the Huyu'ao Village.
On day 3, drive to Weijiang Village for the sunrise of Mantou Hill. Then visit the Banyuli to explore the She Ethnic Culture. Go to Shajiang Village to catch the S blend mudflat. During the afternoon, drive to Dongbi Village for the most beautiful Sunset.
On day 4, go to Beiqi Village to admire the most beautiful sunrise, then depart from Xiapu.
Best Time to Visit Xiapu, Fujian
The best time to visit Xiapu is from April to December each year. From late April to early June, you can mainly enjoy the scenes of egret and kelp drying and collection. From October to December, the scenes of labor in the seaweed fields are unique. However, October and November are relatively better because there is less rain in autumn, the weather is more stable, and the positions of sunrise and sunset are more southward, not blocked by mountains, making it more suitable for watching sunrise and sunset.
When visiting Xiapu, if you want to see the most beautiful mudflats, in addition to good weather, the tide is another factor that must be considered. It is most appropriate to go around the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month (农历初一或十五) when the tide is high. At sunrise and sunset, the mudflats, such as those in Beiqi, Dongbi, Xiaohao, and Weijiang Mantou Mountain, are just at low tide.
How to Get to Xiapu from Xiamen
Xiapu County is about 420 kilometers away from Xiamen, which is the most important travel center of Fujian province. High-speed Train is the most convenient way to travel between the two coastal destinations. Xiapu Station is the only railway station in the county, about 4 kilometers away from the county center. There are over 10 high-speed trains running between Xiamen and Xiapu every day, which usually depart from 08:00 - 17:15. It only takes about 2.5-3.5 hours to get to Xiapu from Xiamen Railway Station (厦门站) or Xiamen North Railway Station (厦门北站).
Check more about Xiamen to Xiapu>>
Explore Xiapu/Fujian with Asia Odyssey Travel
As a travel company headquartered in China and with a local team based in Xiapu, Asia Odyssey Travel is committed to providing top-tier service and ensuring an authentic and unforgettable experience for those looking to explore Xiapu and the broader Fujian region.
Our local team offers a variety of meticulously planned tours, including classic Xiapu Photography Tours, Xiamen to Xiapu Tours, Wuyishan Tours, and Fujian Tulou Tours. These are designed to cater to your individual preferences, ensuring you have a delightful holiday during your Xiapu and Fujian tours. Each tour is led by professional guides knowledgeable about the local culture, history, and best photography spots, offering you a unique and immersive experience. Furthermore, our travel consultants are always ready to help you customize your Xiapu and Fujian tours at the most favorable local prices.
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