Travel Guide to Liuao, a Small-Group Beach in Fujian: A Stunning Beach Just an Hour's Drive from Xiamen
Preface
There is a peninsula next to Xiamen, which is only an hour's drive from Xiamen. However, because it has been hidden and unknown, it has rarely maintained its original appearance.
The locals say, "Gentle Liuao Sea, Paradise Emerald Bay." The white windmills are picturesque, the azure sea is dreamy, the sand is soft, the water is clean, and the coastline is flat, making it a perfect place for photo opportunities.
This is the Liuao Peninsula in Zhangzhou.
Liuaocheck the details
Liu'ao Town is located on the Liu'ao Peninsula in southern Zhangpu County, on the west bank of Da'ao Bay and the east shore of Jiuzhen Harbor. Surrounded by the sea on three sides, Liu'ao Town boasts a 38-kilometer coastline. It is a major fishing base in Fujian Province, a crucial window for Zhangzhou's trade with Taiwan, and a key coastal town in Zhangqing. The town is built around a hillside, with a green mountain nestled amidst a cascade of massive rocks. The mountain rises abruptly from the beach, creating a vast expanse of open space. From a distance, the town's appearance led to its name, "Lu'ao City" (now Liu'ao City), resembling a vast rock bonsai surrounded by lush trees. Liu'ao boasts abundant tourism resources. The Liu'ao Ancient City, a provincial-level cultural relic protection site, was founded in 1388. Along with Chongwu and Tongshan, it stands as a historical testament to the Ming and Qing dynasties' coastal resistance against Japanese invaders on the southeastern Fujian coast, making it a highly valuable site for exploration and sightseeing. Its remarkable millennia-old sea erosion landscape, known as "the most picturesque sight on the west coast of the Taiwan Strait," attracts numerous tourists from home and abroad.
Recommended months: July-August
8535 recommendations, 9972 visits
"The combination of the blue sky, sea, rocks, and windmills is beautiful in any photo."
1. Why do we recommend Liuao?
1) Clear water and soft sand
Liuao's 38-kilometer coastline can be said to be the epitome of the southern Fujian coastal scenery: there are fine golden sand beaches, gorgeous and magical white granite "abstract gallery", windmills lining the coast, casuarina forests, blue sky, sea and beaches, forming a visual blockbuster of stunning beauty.
"The coastline is very long, and there are windmills all along the way."
2) Long history and ancient charm
Liuao boasts a rich history, and a stroll through it feels like walking through a corridor of history. The ancient city, founded in 1388, stands alongside Chongwu and Tongshan as a testament to the resistance against Japanese invaders along the southeastern Fujian coast during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
"The old houses in the ancient city are full of the flavor of time in every corner."
3) Shorter driving distance, beautiful scenery and fewer people
Liuao is just over an hour's drive from Xiamen, making it very convenient for both a one-day and two-day trip. Compared to Xiamen's Liuao Beach, there are far fewer people, so you can avoid the awkward situation of being crowded like dumplings.
"Run and have fun on the soft and flat beach~"
Tips:
Quick quiz: Do you know why it is called Liuao (áo)?
Answer: According to official and folk statements, it is roughly as follows: This place was originally called "Lu'ao Island". Zhou Dexing built an anti-theft castle on the green hills on the island. The green hills protrude from the beach. From a distance, the city looks like a "giant turtle carrying a mountain", so it was named "Lu'ao City". Later, it was renamed "Liu'ao".
There is a folk legend that the dragon gave birth to nine sons, each of them was different. There is also a legend that the Dragon King demoted his sixth son to an isolated island to form a scene. Ao is the same as turtle, and turtle means dragon, so they are called "Six Ao".
"Standing on the city wall, I pointed and gazed into the distance, 'Look, this is the kingdom I built for you!'"
"Walking through the strange rock formations, you'll encounter the sea around the corner."
2. Must-see attractions in Liuao
Liu'ao has tons of windmills, unmatched sea views without filters, soft and flat sandy beaches, a long coastline, amazing rock formations, and an ancient city with a long history! I love the colorful Liu'ao!
"The wooden bridge on the sea is unfortunately no longer accessible."
"A mysterious cliffside outpost, with endless blue sea and sky"
1) Abstract Gallery | A Mecca for Instagram-inspired Travel Photography
Composed of sandy beaches, weathered rocks, and windmills, the first time I visited the Abstract Gallery, I was completely amazed and thought it was paradise. The motorcycles, boats, swings, bird nests, and other photogenic landscapes, set against the backdrop of azure sea and sky, were so breathtakingly beautiful that words can't describe them.
"When going out in the summer, be sure to use sunscreen. The sun at the beach is really, really, really strong."
"I heard the sea and the swing go together really well~"
"Ride my beloved little motorcycle~, it will never get stuck in traffic~"
"The abstract gallery is really great for taking photos. There are more Instagram-style landscapes, but I won't post them if I leave it as a bit mysterious."
2) Emerald Bay | One of the most beautiful beaches on the continental shelf
Emerald Bay is known as the Florida Coast of China. The sea here is spotlessly clean, with soft fine sand. Walking on it barefoot, you will feel as if someone is tickling you, which is very comfortable.
Holding your lover's hand, strolling on the beach and watching the sunrise and sunset, perhaps this is what it really feels like to face the sea and enjoy the blooming flowers in spring.
"Emerald Bay has a very long coastline, so it's easy to find an empty beach to take photos."
"The sea and sky are both turquoise blue, and they look beautiful without any filters."
"There are lots of small crabs, shells and mantis shrimps on the beach."
3) Liuao Ancient City | A Living History Textbook
Liuao Ancient City was built in the Yuan Dynasty. It is one of the four ancient coastal defense cities in Zhangzhou and an important place for resisting Japanese pirates.
The ancient city retains its original appearance and has served as a filming location for TV dramas such as "The Yin and Yang Realm," "Happy Heroes," and "Kangxi Dynasty." In Liu'ao Ancient City, where "the city is built in the forest and banyan trees grow in the city," the intricate roots of ancient banyan trees can be seen everywhere.
"The old banyan tree at the ancient city gate has become one with the city wall."
"Dappled light and shadows pour down through the leaves"
Tips:
Tips:
Ticket Information
1) Abstract Gallery + Peacock Valley: 68 yuan/person
2) Emerald Bay Scenic Area: 99 yuan/person (you can take a detour to the beach, free of charge)
3) Liuao Ancient Town: Free
3. Must-try delicacies in Liuao
You must try seafood when you go to Liuao. It is affordable and tastes great. You only need half the money you would spend on Xiamen Island to enjoy a fresher seafood feast and an oyster feast!
"Liu'ao's oysters are really cheap and fresh."
4. Liuao Special Accommodation
What are the unique B&Bs here? Beehives, tree houses, RVs, shipping containers... pick whatever you like, or pitch a tent by the sea, drifting off to sleep to the sound of the waves, then open the tent to a starry sky!
"A temple is built in a screed shell, but even though it is small, it has all the organs."
Tips:
Tisp:
There are a lot of mosquitoes at night in summer, so be careful to prevent mosquitoes.
5. Transportation Recommendations
1. Main recommendation
It is best to join a tour group or travel by car, because the scenic spots in Liuao only take more than ten minutes to drive between them, but it is very far to walk, and taxis are not available locally.
2. Second recommendation
Take the train to Zhangpu Station, and then take a taxi directly from the station to Liuao (about 120 yuan).
3. Not recommended
If you want to take a bus, you can take a shuttle bus from Xiamen Fanghu Bus Station to Zhangzhou Passenger Transport Station and then transfer to Liuao Bus Station.
"I love the stone arch, the whole blue sky is the background color"
6. Fun and entertainment activities
1. Emerald Bay
Watch the magnificent sunrise over the sea
2. Abstract Gallery
Feeding the greedy peacock
"The peacocks were so greedy they almost got into a fight over a bite of peanuts."
3. Liuao Ancient City
Hanfu Experience in the Ancient City
"Hanfu experience in the ancient city, I really like this blue Hanfu"
"Cheers to the stars and the sea"
Tips:
Tisp:
Peacock Valley peanuts are 4 yuan/bag and 10 yuan/bag. It is not recommended to bring your own food to feed the peacocks. There will be scenic area staff to take care of them.
There are also beach buggies and sea scooters in the Emerald Bay fee area (the prices are slightly more expensive).
7. Must-buy specialties in Liuao
Liu'ao's sweet potatoes are incredibly famous. Grown in the sand by the sea, they're said to be sweeter than first love. You'll find locals selling them from carts along the street, and you can buy a huge bag for just 10 yuan.
"The sweet potato fields on the edge of the field are said to be particularly sweet because they are sandy and get plenty of sun."
8. Best time to visit
The best months for camping and going to the sea in Liuao are July and August, because it hardly rains during these two months, the nights are not cold, and more importantly, there is a high chance of seeing the sunrise at the beach!!!
"There are little crabs hiding in the cracks of the rocks."
Tips:
Tips:
The sun is very strong at the beach in summer, so remember to wear sunscreen.
In spring and autumn, be sure to bring an extra coat. The sea breeze is strong, so be careful not to catch a cold.
Fireworks are often set off on weekend nights at the beach.
Want to know how this photo was taken? Leave a message to tell you the answer~
