Meizhou Island Ultimate Travel Guide: A Pilgrimage to Mazu's Hometown

Meizhou Island, the birthplace of Mazu culture and known as the "Oriental Mecca"⛪, boasts stunning scenery and a rich cultural atmosphere! This guide will help you explore Meizhou Island without any pitfalls.👇

📍【Location】
Meizhou Town, Xiuyu District, Putian City, Fujian Province, just about 1.8 nautical miles from the mainland—super close!🌊

⏰【Best Time to Visit】
April to October is ideal! Summer is perfect for water activities🌊, and during Mazu's Birthday (23rd day of the 3rd lunar month) and Mazu's Ascension Day (9th day of the 9th lunar month), the island hosts lively temple fairs🎉!

🚗【Transportation Guide】
🚄High-speed rail: Take the train to "Putian Station," then transfer to bus K09 or 363 to "Wenjia Pier" (~1 hour).
🚢Ferry: Take a boat from Wenjia Pier to the island—just 20 minutes! Ticket price: ¥125 (round-trip + island entry).🛳️
🛵Island transport: Buses/electric carts/shared bikes are all available. Renting an e-bike (¥50-80/day) is highly recommended for maximum freedom!

🌟【Must-Visit Attractions】
1️⃣ Meizhou Mazu Ancestral Temple
✨The global birthplace of Mazu culture! Join the morning worship ritual at dawn🌅, and hike to the summit for a photo with the 14-meter-tall Mazu stone statue📸.
💰Ticket: Free (some halls charge ¥10-20).

2️⃣ Ewei Shenshi Park
🏞️Spectacular sea-eroded landforms! "Flying Halberd Cave" and "Turtle Pilgrimage" are perfect photo spots.
⚠️Tip: Wear anti-slip shoes! Ticket: ¥20.

3️⃣ Golden Beach
🌊The island's largest beach (3km) with ultra-fine sand and breathtaking sunsets🌅.
🏄‍♀️Summer offers water sports, plus plenty of seafood stalls nearby🍤.

4️⃣ Meiyu Chaoyin
🎵The sound of waves hitting rocks is like music! The best spot for sunrise views🌄.
🛤️The seaside boardwalk is perfect for romantic strolls💑.

5️⃣ Tianfei Hometown Ruins Park
🛕A great place to learn about Mazu's life, with 3D short films🎬.

🍜【Food to Try】
✅Mazu Noodles: A hearty "peace noodle" dish with rich toppings🍜.
✅Meizhou Fish Rice: Steamed rice with yellow croaker—super fresh🐟.
✅Fried Oysters with Seaweed: Crispy outside, tender inside—delicious😋.
✅Hongtuan: Sweet and sticky traditional dessert🥮.

🏨【Accommodation Recommendations】
🔹Pilgrims: Stay near the Ancestral Temple (e.g., Meizhou International Hotel).
🔹Sea lovers: Book a seaside B&B by Golden Beach🌊.
🔹Budget travelers: Affordable homestays in the island's central villages.

📌【Tips】
☀️Sun & bug protection: Strong UV—bring hats and sunscreen🧴.
🙏Temple etiquette: Stay quiet inside the Ancestral Temple; no flip-flops or short skirts.
💰Cash backup: Some small shops only accept cash💵.

⏳【2-Day Itinerary】
DAY1: Mazu Ancestral Temple → Tianfei Hometown → Lunch → Ewei Shenshi Park → Golden Beach sunset🌅.
DAY2: Meiyu Chaoyin sunrise → Island cycling → Souvenir shopping → Return trip🚢.