Xiapu is more than just mudflats! This guide takes you through ancient towns and old streets, and lets you taste authentic fisherfolk flavors

Beyond Xiapu’s mountain and sea scenery lies the vibrant local life of Eastern Fujian! This guide dives into the daily scenes of locals, unlocking ancient towns, old streets, and fisherfolk delicacies👇

🏮 Ancient Towns and Old Streets: Feel the Warmth of History
Dongbi Village · Renaissance of a Fishing Village
Terraced Fishing Village: Colorful guesthouses arranged in tiers, perfect for capturing silhouettes of the orange sea and returning fishing boats at the popular sunset viewing platform.

Light and Shadow Boardwalk: A coastal wooden walkway connecting cafes and small bars, ideal for zoning out to the sound of the waves.

Local Life: At the morning market, fishermen bargain in dialect, and you can find freshly sun-dried kelp and seaweed.

Yangjiaxi · A Market Scene Under Ancient Banyan Trees
Folk Performances: Early mornings may bring encounters with “farmers leading cattle, village women herding geese,” experiencing the pastoral charm of Eastern Fujian.

Ancient Ferry Dock: Century-old banyan trees provide dense shade, while a tea stall by the creek serves jasmine tea in enamel cups for 3 yuan each.

She Ethnic Village: On the way, visit the She ethnic ancient village in Banyueli and try on traditional costumes for photos (20 yuan/hour).

County Old Street · Museum of Local Life
Shengli Road Pedestrian Street: Century-old arcade buildings hide time-honored brands like “Ah Hua Pork Slices” and “Family Noodle House,” open until 4 a.m.

Funing Food City: Night market must-tries include “Sweet Potato Cup” (mashed sweet potato with seaweed flakes) and rice dumplings (rice skin wrapped oyster).

Tips: The old town preserves ancient place names like “Blacksmith Alley” and “Herbal Street,” where you can visit traditional craft workshops.

🍜 Fisherfolk Flavors: A Culinary Journey of Mountains and Seas
Must-try Restaurants
Feipo Feizai Seafood Stall: A street food stall with a ceiling full of dishes, featuring salt and pepper mantis shrimp (68 yuan/serving) and marinated blood clams (25 yuan/small bowl).

Azhong Seafood Restaurant: A local secret spot, offering Buddha’s hand conch sashimi (market price) and spicy stir-fried sand snails with rice cakes.

Xuewu Ice Parlor: A 30-year-old ice rice shop, recommended for the “Four Fruit Soup Ice Rice” (red beans + taro balls + adazi + osmanthus honey).

Street Snacks
Fuding Pork Slices: A “double combo” with sour-spicy sauce and yellow pepper (15 yuan/bowl).

Oyster Pancakes: Freshly fried rice batter pancakes filled with oysters and chopped celery (5 yuan each).

Marinated Uncle: Mobile stall serving freshly mixed drunken shrimp (35 yuan/box), paired with ginger shreds to remove fishiness.

🚗 Suggested Itinerary
Day 1: Fishing Village Stroll
Morning: Walk among the ancient banyan trees in Yangjiaxi + try hand-pounding glutinous rice cakes.

Afternoon: Zone out on Dongbi Village’s Light and Shadow Boardwalk + read in a café.

Evening: Explore Shengli Road night market + try Fuding pork slices.

Day 2: Islands and Markets
Morning: Speedboat tour of the Sili Islands (recommended: Beili Island Lighthouse, Dongli Island Grassland).

Afternoon: Beachcombing at Gaoluo Beach (collect sea urchins at low tide).

Evening: Watch the city night view from the rooftop viewing platform at Fangyuanhui Mall.

Day 3: Cultural Deep Dive
Morning: Visit the She ethnic ancient village in Banyueli (car charter required).

Afternoon: Explore the county old street, hunt for dried seaweed.

Evening: Have one last meal at Feipo Feizai Seafood Stall before departure.

💡 Practical Tips
Transportation Pitfalls to Avoid
Car Rental: Prefer chain rental platforms at the train station exit (eHi/1Hai) to avoid hidden fees from small workshops.

Boat Tickets: Speedboats to the Sili Islands require contacting the captain one day in advance to confirm weather (recommended Beili Pier for stable schedules).

Accommodation Recommendations
Dongbi Village Guesthouses: Recommended sea view guesthouses like “Haiwu” and “Waiting for the Wind” (book one month in advance during peak season).

County Hotels: Xiapu Tianlan Hotel (5-minute walk to the seafood market).

Souvenir Shopping
Seaweed: Xiapu dried seaweed (choose sand-free, no-wash types).

Seafood: Ready-to-eat crispy kelp chips, sun-dried small yellow croaker.