The stunning sunrise over the Xiapu tidal flats

Save this Mindong guide to unlock 99% of the mountain and sea experiences that most people don’t know about! Day 1: Xiapu · Symphony of Light and Shadow The sunrise at Beiqi tidal flats is a “blind box experience” for photographers—climb the mountain in the dark at 4 a.m., thinking you might miss it? When the first ray of golden light shines on the seaweed fields, the tidal flats instantly turn into a giant palette! (Tip: Locate the viewing platform next to Beiqi Village Primary School, free but you need to get up early and rely on luck) Dongbi Village is known as the “Santorini of Fujian,” with its rainbow road and cliffside guesthouses—every shot looks like an Instagram masterpiece. We recommend the popular guesthouse “Ban Cheng Li Wu She,” with 180° sea view rooms and a sky mirror terrace where you can catch the sunrise right from your bed! (💰Sea view rooms cost 600+ RMB in peak season, remember to book 2 weeks in advance!) Sansha Light and Shadow Boardwalk is a paradise for walkcity fans! A 2.3 km wooden boardwalk by the sea with multiple viewing platforms perfectly positioned for photography. Be sure to stay for the “Sunset Platform” in the evening to watch fishing boats glide across the golden sea—it’s like God spilled a filter~ (📸Free entry, closes at 7:30 p.m.) Food TIP: Rush to Sansha Town’s “Lao Fuding Seafood Restaurant”! The yellow croaker rice noodles are incredibly fresh, and for about 50 RMB per person, you can feast on seafood freely. --- Day 2: Yushan Island · Mountain and Sea Double Hit The speedboat ticket to the island is 95 RMB (departing from Sansha Pier). When the waves are big, it feels like riding a pirate ship—but the views of the large and small Tianhu lakes are definitely worth 3 minutes of seasickness! With vast grasslands and high mountain lakes, it feels like stepping into a scene from “Zelda.” (Entrance + shuttle bus 76 RMB) Downside: Transportation on the island relies on walking or renting a car, but precisely because it’s less developed, it retains its original beauty! We recommend staying at “Yufu Xing Guesthouse,” where the owner lends you an electric scooter to circle the island. At night, enjoy the sea breeze and freshly caught seafood—maximum healing vibes~ --- Day 3: Pingnan · Mountain and Water Hiking Package The combined ticket for Baishuiyang and Yuanyang Creek is 160 RMB! Baishuiyang’s giant water plaza features a striking contrast—it looks like an ordinary shallow water area, but stepping in instantly cools you down by 10°C. Playing in the water in summer feels like turning on a natural air conditioner! The Yuanyang Creek hike takes 4 hours, with waterfalls and the Lingyun plank road testing your stamina, but the Water Curtain Cave and Magpie Bridge Waterfall are so cool it feels like entering a fantasy world~ (⚠️Bring mosquito repellent! The creek-side mosquitoes are relentless) On the way back, stop by Huotong Ancient Town, where the Ming and Qing dynasty streets are so original that there isn’t even a trendy coffee shop! But the maltose candy and Guangbing bread made by old craftsmen will take you back to childhood prices with every bite. --- Accommodation Highlights and Lowlights • Xiapu: Top choice is Dongbi Village’s “Ban Cheng Li Wu She” sea view rooms; second choice is Xiaohai Village’s “Xiao Ai Jia Guesthouse” for great value (3-minute walk to tidal flats) • Yushan Island: Yufu Xing Guesthouse owner provides pick-up and drop-off, hygiene is reliable • Pingnan: Baishui Township residents hide century-old houses, but soundproofing is poor—recommended only for pure experience seekers! Transportation Reality The attractions are scattered to an outrageous degree! In Xiapu, car rental is recommended (about 300 RMB/day), Yushan Island relies on speedboats + shuttle buses, self-driving is best but the mountain roads test your driving skills. Summary: Ningde is like a blind box—you might complain about the tiring transportation and rough facilities, but the raw, untamed mountain and sea scenery always surprises you. Perfect for true travelers who seek “pain and pleasure” at the same time!