Xiapu is stunningly beautiful, but I honestly don't recommend visiting in July because...
Xiapu: The "Light and Shadow Poetry" of China's Most Beautiful Mudflats – A 3-Day, 2-Night Photography and Slow Travel Guide to Unlock the Blue and Gold of Eastern Fujian
Keywords: Mudflat light and shadow, seaweed farming, ancient fishing village charm, seafood feast, sunrise and sunset
Budget: ¥1,200-2,000 per person (including transportation + accommodation + activities, 3 days 2 nights, slightly higher for photography tours)
Best seasons:
April-June: Seaweed harvest season, abundant scenes of fishermen working, blue-green mudflats;
July-September: Pre-typhoon season, rich cloud layers in the sky, dramatic light and shadow changes;
October-February: Seaweed farming season, mudflats covered with golden bamboo frames, sunrise and sunset like oil paintings.
I. Must-Visit Highlights: Xiapu's "Light and Shadow Quartet"
1. Xiaohao Beach: The "Colorful Oil Painting" Between Tides
Highlights: After the tide recedes, the mudflats reveal colorful textures that appear golden, crimson, and deep blue under sunlight;
Fishermen gathering seafood and digging for shellfish, bamboo poles swaying with the tide, creating dynamic scenes;
Both eastern and western hillsides offer shooting spots—eastern for front lighting, western for backlighting.
Tips: Best photography times: 1 hour before high tide or 2 hours after low tide for softest light;
Telephoto lens: Capture details of fishermen working, or use a wide-angle for panoramic mudflat shots;
Outfit advice: Wear slip-resistant shoes (mudflats are muddy), bring spare clothes.
2. Beqi Mudflats: The "Golden Ocean" at Sunrise
Highlights: Named "China's Most Beautiful Mudflats" by National Geographic, glowing gold at sunrise;
Fishermen navigate boats between bamboo frames, blending boat shadows with light;
Mountain-top viewing deck offers panoramic views (arrive early as it gets crowded).
Tips: Sunrise times: Summer 5:00-5:30, winter 6:30-7:00;
Tripod essential: Long exposure needed in low light for silky water effects;
Time-lapse: Capture the shift from dark to light, blue to gold.
3. Yangjiaxi: The "Misty Wonderland" Under Ancient Banyans
Highlights: Thousand-year-old banyan tree grove with umbrella-like canopies and dappled sunlight;
Morning scenes of farmers leading oxen and carrying loads, with rising smoke, like a hidden paradise;
Autumn red maple leaves contrast with green banyans, dubbed "Eastern Fujian's Little Jiuzhaigou."
Tips: Staged scenes: Pay farmers (~¥200/set) to lead oxen for cultural shots;
Slow shutter: Use ND filters for mist-like water or starbursts through leaves;
Hiking: Follow the 2km stream to see bamboo rafts and waterwheels.
4. Dongbi Village: The "Silhouette Paradise" at Sunset
Highlights: Cliffside fishing village where sunset paints the sea, with boat silhouettes;
Yugongting Beach offers uncrowded "waves + rocks + sunset" compositions;
Many B&Bs have sunset-view terraces for coffee with a view.
Tips: Sunset times: Summer 18:30-19:00, winter 17:00-17:30;
Silhouette technique: Focus on bright areas, reduce exposure to highlight outlines;
Night photography: Capture the Milky Way alongside village lights (minimal light pollution).
II. Deep Experiences: Xiapu's "Slow Fishing Village Life"
1. Banyue Li: The "Living Museum" of She Ethnic Culture
Highlights: Fujian's only ancient She village, with 300-year-old Ming-Qing architecture;
Locals wear traditional dress, perform She dances, and teach ribbon weaving;
Longxi Palace (village entrance) is a provincial heritage site with intricate carvings.
Tips: Dress in She attire (¥30/hour) for photos on cobblestone streets;
Try "black rice" (glutinous rice steamed with lyonia leaves, sweet and fragrant);
Chat with elders about She "phoenix costume" legends.
2. Shajiang S-Curve: The "Geometric Aesthetics" of Seaweed Racks
Highlights: Bamboo seaweed racks form an "S"-shaped waterway on mudflats;
Tidal reflections create abstract art;
Best view from Shajiang Middle School rooftop (¥10 fee).
Tips: Drone shots: Fly to 200m for rack-and-boat patterns;
Fisherman experience: Join seaweed harvesting (~¥300/person, book ahead);
Sunset: Golden-lit racks add depth.
3. Xuyu'ao: The "Floating City" of Fishing Rafts
Highlights: Raft clusters resemble "Venice of the Sea," with houses on wooden planks;
Morning scenes of drying fish and rising smoke;
Boat tours let you feed gulls and buy fresh seafood.
Tips: Sunrise shoot: Arrive by 6:00 for raft-and-sunrise contrasts;
Seafood lunch: Steam freshly caught yellow croaker or crab on rafts;
Cultural immersion: Learn net-mending and rowing.
III. Xiapu Cuisine: "Mountains-and-Sea" Flavors
1. Must-Try Classics
Sour-Spicy Fish Soup (¥35-50): Local yellow croaker/pomfret with bamboo shoots and chili;
Recommended: "Old Brand Sour-Spicy Soup," "Sansha Snacks";
Razor Clams (¥60-80/jin): Thin-shelled, plump, steamed or scallion-fried;
Recommended: "New Delicious Seafood," "Fragrant Snail Shop";
Minnan Paste (¥15): Rice batter stir-fried with shrimp, pork, and veggies;
Recommended: "Ah Gui Minnan Paste," "Dongbi Breakfast Stalls."
2. Hidden Gems
Guangbing (¥2): Salted baked flatbread, often stuffed with meat or tofu;
Fish Ball Soup (¥10): Pounded eel/shark balls, springy and mild;
Sweet Potato Cups (¥3): Steamed mash filled with minced meat.
IV. Accommodation Picks
Photography: Xiaohao Photo B&Bs (¥300-500/night), with mudflat guides;
Seaside: Dongbi's "Ten Rooms Sea" (¥800-1500/night), infinity pool sunsets;
Cultural: Banyue Li She Homestays (¥150-300/night), ancient-house stays;
Budget: Xiapu city hotels (¥200-400/night), near seafood markets.
V. Classic 3D2N Itinerary
Day 1: "First Light" on Mudflats & Villages
AM: Beqi sunrise → Shajiang S-curve;
PM: Yangjiaxi banyans → Banyue Li She culture;
Evening: Sour-spicy soup + Taikang Road night market.
Day 2: "Deep Dive" into Fishing Life
AM: Xuyu'ao sunrise → seaweed harvesting;
PM: Dongbi sunset + terrace coffee;
Evening: Seafood feast + starry skies.
Day 3: "Cultural Farewell"
AM: Xiaohao fishing scenes + Sansha dried goods;
PM: Xiapu Museum (mudflat history);
Evening: Guangbing + fish ball soup before departure.
Xiapu's blue: The shimmer of mudflats, the shade of banyans, the glow of village lights;
Xiapu's gold: Dawn skies, seaweed racks, fishermen's smiles;
A photographer's paradise, a traveler's secret,
Where mountains, sea, light, shadow, and humanity compose poetry.
Come—capture moments with your lens, hold eternity in your heart,
Let Xiapu's blue and gold paint your memories alive.