Geographical Trivia—Xiapu, Fujian

Whenever Fujian is mentioned, images of Wuyi Mountain's grandeur, Gulangyu's artistic charm, and the Hakka culture of Yongding Tulou come to mind... But how many know that here lies a place facing Taiwan across the sea, boasting China's most beautiful coastline, a fairyland-like sanctuary? She is known as "China's Most Beautiful Tidal Flats," where the long, winding coastline displays infinite hues amidst the interplay of seawater, tides, and sunlight. A land of radiant tides and shimmering colors, she bears a dreamy name: Xiapu. 01 Seasons Change, Light and Shadow Dance How long has it been since you had a moment to spare? How long has your world felt gray? When life seems dull, come to Xiapu and behold this breathtakingly colorful world. Vibrant golds, bold oranges, deep blues... Each hue stirs the soul, rekindling your love for the world. Xiapu transforms with the seasons and the hours, offering new colors and surprises at every turn. Xiapu's palette is ever-changing— skylight, cloud shadows, and mountain hues coat it in warm, radiant tones, a brilliance that captivates the heart. At sunset, it reaches its most enchanting moment, glowing with golden, yellow, and orange reflections, casting the most mesmerizing light. In Xiapu, the stunning colors will make you fall in love with this vibrant world! 02 Beauty Born of Labor Some architecture invites endless exploration, some landscapes shift with infinite colors, some harmony between man and nature spans centuries, some diligence and simplicity yield boundless wealth. Here, scenery and culture intertwine. The sea shapes the temperament of coastal folk, and nature's bounty fosters a life sustained by the ocean. The harmony between humans and nature writes countless poetic chapters, with Xiapu's "musical staff" as its most beautiful rendition. The long coastline, shallow waters, and fine sandy flats provide ideal conditions for marine farming, as well as rare, breathtaking views cherished by photographers. Gold, silver-gray, azure, and crimson— the tides, painted by light and shadow, reveal nature's finest brushstrokes. Beihai's sunrise over the sea, Xiaohao's sunset on the beach, Huazhu's seamless blend of sky and water, Dongbi's glazed light and shadow— poles, figures, boats, sky, sea, and distant mountains. The perfect union of man and nature sets these quiet, humble tidal flats apart. After a journey through dust and wind, the beauty here makes it all worthwhile. Waves thin as cicada wings layer upon layer, etched by tides into delicate lines, slowly rippling outward. Fishermen's labor and tools harmoniously compose the scenery, a heavenly match so serene. Xiapu is best appreciated in silence, its beauty too pure for intrusion. May these stunning tidal flats thrive forever. The "Purlieu of Glowing Tides," where mountain streams from Zhouning and Pingnan rush down to meet the sea, countless tides and daily sunrises and sunsets have made Xiapu China's most beautiful tidal flats, a sea longed for by every heart. Xiapu's beauty lies in the interplay of light and shadow, in the brilliance of sunset moments. As Fujian's earliest cross-strait trade port, it is hailed as "China's Kelp Hometown" and "China's Laver Hometown," renowned as the "Coastal Zou-Lu." Floating fish farms, wooden huts, light boats, encircling nets, buoys, bamboo poles, and surging tides— this unique fishing lifestyle gives Xiapu ever-changing charm through the seasons, captivating countless photographers. During kelp harvest season, bamboo poles are draped with drying kelp; fishermen navigate "S"-shaped waterways, composing perfect tidal flat landscapes. Small islands still host fishing villages, with boats shuttling between them, ferrying the quietest moments of time. 03 Mountains and Seas in Full View Dubbed "Fujian's Little Wuyi," Yangjiaxi nestles among green hills and clear waters, hiding another Jiangnan-style charm of Xiapu. Here, ancient banyan trees, centuries old, still flourish with dense foliage, their sky-shading canopies etched with the marks of time. Sunlight filters through the branches, casting beams of light. Farmers in straw raincoats lead oxen, while She ethnic grandmothers carry loads, as if stepping back into an era of simple farming and weaving. In late autumn, Yangjiaxi's 250-acre maple forest turns into a crimson cloud under the autumn wind, up close like a blazing flame. The ancient banyan roots twist and tangle, their dense leaves interlacing overhead, the lush grove resembling a peacock's display. In eastern Xiapu lies a traditional fishing village—Xiaohao. Xiaohao's tidal flats are fragmented, cut by a small stream that carves intricate, ever-changing patterns, soft and graceful. Under blue skies, white clouds, and colorful sunsets, the flats shimmer in kaleidoscopic hues. Elsewhere, tide lines are straight, but in Xiaohao, they curve in "S" shapes, harmonizing with the beach's textures and the infinite play of light, creating a uniquely beautiful scene. After each tide, new winding waterways emerge, refracting light into dazzling neon-like streaks from afar. Against the light, streams flowing across the sand transform into meandering "arteries" of the flats, glowing with silvery brilliance. In the distance, kelp racks line up neatly, as fishermen work tirelessly before the tide rises. Huazhu Village, about 40 km from Xiapu's county town, offers a commanding view of the sea, where sky and water merge into an endless vista. Below the cliffs lie the sea and vast tidal flats, with buoys and bamboo poles bobbing offshore, and scattered fish farms dotting the East China Sea— a perfectly ordered scene, as if crafted by nature, utterly mesmerizing. This is also the best spot to view the Fuyao Islands, especially at sunrise. At dawn, the sea breeze carries a faint briny tang, dispelling drowsiness. If mist lingers, the sunrise dyes the sea red, and the Fuyao Islands drift in and out of view. Nestled against mountains and facing the sea, Dongbi Village perches on a slope, its pristine scenery making it a rare gem. Facing the wide sea, dotted with bamboo poles for aquaculture, and backed by rolling hills, the village's beach is caressed by waves, their edges gilded by the sun, light and shadow dancing endlessly. A stream cuts through, carving intricate patterns, its soft lines glowing gold in the sunset, breathing life into the colorful sands. Unlike other places, Xiapu's beauty is artistic— a painting, a photograph, a wordless poem of light, a silent melody... Here, the sea is intoxicating, with serene, majestic sunrises and dazzling golden sunsets. Light and shadow shift ceaselessly, as if God bestowed this land with the deepest and most romantic colors. Dubbed China's "Sri Lanka," Xiapu is a unique gem in Fujian and all of China. Here, you'll find poetic seclusion far from cities, as well as warm, rustic charm. If you get the chance, visit Xiapu— marvel at its pristine bay curves, mystical interplay of light and clouds, and dreamlike floating homes...