The underrated coastal city – let me tell you just how beautiful it is!

🌊 [Xiapu Three-Day, Two-Night In-Depth Travel Guide] 🌊 China's most beautiful mudflat 🚗 Itinerary Overview Suitable for: Photography enthusiasts, families with children, independent travelers Budget reference: CNY 800–1,200 per person (including transportation, accommodation, and food) Best season: April–October (best light and shadow on the mudflats; avoid the typhoon season from July to September) --- 🌅 Day 1: Mudflat Light and Shadow, Slow-Paced Fishing Village Life Morning: 1. Beiqi Mudflat Sunrise (free) - How to enjoy: Arrive at the viewing platform before 5:30 to capture the golden ripples of the morning light shining through the seaweed racks, and the silhouettes of fishermen working, as picturesque as a poem. - Tips: Check the tide chart in advance. The mudflat texture is clearer after the tide goes out. A wide-angle lens is essential. Afternoon: 2. Dongbi Village Sunset (free) - Photography: Stroll along the coastal boardwalk, capture the "orange sea" where fishing boats returning to port blend with the twilight. The cliffside swimming pool of the popular "Shi Jian Hai" homestay is highly recommended. - Coffee time: Order an Iced Americano at "San Bei Ban Coffee" and overlook the panoramic view of the fishing port through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Evening: 3. Seafood Feast - Must-try: Chen Ji Chaoshan Seafood Casserole Porridge (crab and shrimp porridge), Sakura Milk Tofu. You can eat until you're stuffed for CNY 50 per person. --- 🌸 Day 2: Mountain and Sea Secret Realm, Islands and Forests Early morning: 1. Xiaojing Beach Sunrise (free) - Secret spot recommendation: The railway wooden house at the end of the beach is the same location as in the show Fifty Kilometers of Peach Blossoms, full of cinematic vibes. Morning: 2. Xiawei Island Sea Erosion Cave (free) - Adventure: When the tide is out, crawl into the natural cave. Sunlight pours in through the rock crevices. Use a wide-angle lens to capture a blockbuster from another planet. Afternoon: 3. Yangjiaxi Ancient Banyan Tree (ticket: CNY 18) - Fairy scene: From 7–9am, the morning mist lingers. An old farmer leads a cow across the stream, bringing its own mist or paid posing (CNY 20 per person) to recreate the scene from the Chinese textbook. - Hiking: The Longting Waterfall stream is cool, suitable for families to play in the water. Evening: 4. Night Market Fireworks - Recommended: Jiaoda Night Market Teppanyaki Squid, Roasted Cold Noodles with Stinky Tofu, feel the blend of sea breeze and urban atmosphere. --- 🌿 Day 3: Island Adventure, Siju Islands All day: 1. Siju Islands Island Hopping Tour (ferry ticket: CNY 200 per person) - Dongju Island: The 90° vertical cliff collides with the green carpet meadow. The aerial view is like a scene from The Legend of Zelda. - Bird Island (Hongju Island): Seagulls dance in groups from June to July. Capture the moment of "dancing with seagulls". - Nanju Island: The sound of the waves on the pebble beach is like natural ASMR. Pick up rusty reefs when the tide is out. - How to enjoy: Take a boat from Jishi Pier. It is recommended to choose the "Mountain and Sea Symphony" cruise ship for a more comfortable journey. Return in the evening: 2. Souvenirs: Xiapu Yuanxiao Tea, seaweed crisps, or Laojie Fish Sauce, Shajiang Oyster Cake (crispy and delicious). --- 🦞 Food Map 1. Must-try seafood: - Yellow Croaker Soup, Sword Razor Clam Platter (Xinmeiweiyuan Seafood Stall). - Spicy Fried Sand Snails, Garlic Vermicelli Shrimp (night market food stalls). 2. Local snacks: - Minnan Paste (oysters + fried sweet potato flour), Rouyan Soup (both the skin and filling are meat). - Shajiang Oyster Cake (200 years of history, crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside). --- 🏨 Accommodation Recommendations 1. High-end sea view: - Dongbi Village "Shi Jian Hai" Homestay (cliffside swimming pool + viewing terrace, book one month in advance during peak season). 2. Value for money options: - County Town, the Best Western Plus Hotel (near the high-speed rail station, convenient for chartered car travel). - Sansha Town "Yi Qi Yi Su" (pure white design + infinity pool, you can also take emotional blockbusters on rainy days). --- 📸 Photography Secrets 1. Equipment: - Wide-angle lens (16–35mm): Mudflat texture, panoramic view of the sea erosion cave. - Telephoto lens (70–200mm): Compresses the depth of field of fishermen working and the mountains and seas. 2. Creative skills: - Use backlight + smoke to create the Tyndall effect in the Yangjiaxi morning mist. - Place a reflector inside the Xiawei Island cave to enhance the layering of light and shadow. --- ⚠️ Tips to avoid tourist traps 1. Transportation: - The attractions are scattered, so chartered cars are preferred (approx. CNY 400/day). If driving yourself, pay attention to the sharp turns on the coastal highway. - The Siju Islands ferry schedule is greatly affected by the weather. Confirm the flight in advance. 2. Consumption: - Drain the seafood before weighing it. The processing fee is calculated based on the dishes (CNY 10/serving for steaming). - Avoid expensive restaurants in scenic spots and choose well-established restaurants with clearly marked prices.