Xiapu 3 Days 2 Nights｜A Must-Have for Photography Enthusiasts! A Light and Shadow Pilgrimage from Mudflats to Coastline

Known as "China's Most Beautiful Mudflat Photography Spot," Xiapu's beauty lies in the changing tides—the seaweed racks nurtured by a thousand years of fishing and farming, the tiger-skin patterned mudflats revealed at low tide, and the coastline dyed golden red by the setting sun. Every scene is a collaboration between nature and culture. This guide helps you catch the perfect light, avoid crowds, and enjoy food and fun without any pitfalls!

🌅 Core Photography Spots｜Best Light Times + Cultural Background

Xiapu’s photographic soul is in its "tides" and "seasons": September to March is the seaweed harvest season, with seaweed racks filling the sea surface and the richest light layers; around the 1st and 15th of each lunar month are spring tides, when the mudflats are most exposed, allowing you to capture the iconic tiger-skin patterns.

1. Huazhu Village: The sunrise filming location for CCTV’s Spring Festival Gala! This is the "best sunrise viewpoint" along the Mindong coast. Arrive before 5:00 AM at the No. 2 viewing platform (fewer people, wider view) to see the first rays of sunlight shining on the Fuyao Archipelago and seaweed racks, with fishing boats weaving through like a flowing ink painting.

2. Beiqi Mudflats: "China’s No.1 Mudflat Photography Village"! Best time is 5:00-7:30 AM (during spring tides). The receding tide carves out varying patterns on the mudflats, resembling tiger-skin patterns on the earth. The fishermen working on the mudflats add perfect cultural touches.

3. Dongbi Village: The Fujian version of the "Cinque Terre"! The sunset from 5:00-7:00 PM is spectacular—the setting sun dyes the sea and fishing village houses orange-red, fishing boats returning home glide over shimmering waves, and shooting silhouettes on the light-and-shadow boardwalk easily creates magazine-worthy photos.

4. Donghai No.1 Line: A free "coastal scenic gallery"! This road connecting several villages hides S-shaped coastlines, cliffside cafes, and the Haiwei Castle. Visit after 4:00 PM when the light is soft and not glaring, and you can stop anytime to shoot sea views.

5. Xiaweijiao: A hidden sea erosion secret spot! The sea caves here are masterpieces carved by waves over millions of years, but you must check the tide table (arrive within 1 hour before or after low tide). Only at low tide can you enter the caves and photograph the blue and white waves crashing at the cave entrance.

6. Xiaohao Beach: A local secret spot for tide hunting! It’s not a fine sandy beach but a soft mudflat. After the tide recedes, you can dig for crabs and catch mudskippers with fishermen. The "mudflat reflections" at dusk are a hidden gem in the photography community.

🚗 3 Days 2 Nights Itinerary｜Precise Spots Without Detours

Day 1: Dongbi Sunset → Overnight in Huazhu (rest up for sunrise)

- Morning: Arrive in Xiapu, drive to Dongbi Village (recommend staying in a sea view guesthouse with ocean views from the window).

- Afternoon: Explore Dongbi’s popular spots—the colorful alleys by Shijian Seaside, the "Girl and the Sea" sculpture, and the orange-and-sea light-and-shadow boardwalk. Secure your sunset spot early.

- Evening: After 5:00 PM, watch the sunset at Dongbi, see fishing boats returning, and the sea turning golden.

- Dinner: Eat seafood at a village stall, try the local razor clams.

- Night: Drive about 40 minutes to Huazhu Village to stay overnight, sleep early to prepare for sunrise.

Day 2: Huazhu Sunrise → Donghai No.1 Line → Overnight in Beiqi

- 4:30 AM: Wake up and head to Huazhu No. 2 viewing platform, set up your camera for sunrise (bring a jacket, it’s windy by the sea early morning).

- Morning: After sunrise, return to the guesthouse to rest, depart at 9:00 AM for the Donghai No.1 Line.

- Noon: Stop by Haiwei Castle and Danwan Viewing Platform (two cliffside cafes for a break, coffee + sea view perfect for photos).

- Afternoon: Visit Xiaojing Beach, shoot the beach sunset after 4:00 PM; if time allows, try your luck at Xiaweijiao (check tides in advance).

- Night: Drive to Beiqi Village to stay overnight; the village seafood stalls offer great value.

Day 3: Beiqi Mudflats → Xiaohao Tide Hunting → Return Trip

- 5:00 AM: Shoot the mudflat sunrise at Beiqi viewing platform (avoid August sunrise as it’s blocked by hills), watch fishermen head out on "Lianjia boats."

- Morning: Tide hunting at Xiaohao mudflats, borrow tools from local fishermen to dig crabs and catch mudskippers (wear non-slip shoes, mudflats are slippery).

- Noon: Have an authentic seafood meal in Xiapu County before heading home.

🍤 Must-Try Food｜Xiapu’s Seafood Menu

Xiapu seafood emphasizes freshness, mainly steamed or boiled to highlight the original flavors:

- Razor Clams: Unique to Xiapu, thin shells and tender meat, boiled and dipped in vinegar, bursting with freshness.

- Minnan Congee: Local breakfast staple, rice noodles, seafood, and vegetables cooked into a savory porridge, warm and comforting.

- Oyster Omelette: Made with local Xiapu oysters, crispy outside and tender inside, perfect with sweet chili sauce.

- Snail Meat: A great snack with drinks, chewy snail meat eaten with toothpicks, the more you chew, the fresher it tastes.

📌 Practical Tips

1. Transportation: Attractions are scattered, self-driving is best (car rentals in Xiapu are convenient, about 200-300 RMB per day); public transport is available with buses from the county to towns but infrequent, which may affect shooting schedules.

2. Accommodation: Prioritize Sansha Town, Dongbi Village, and Beiqi Village—close to attractions, many sea view guesthouses, some with rooftops offering excellent views.

3. Gear: Bring a telephoto lens (for distant fishing boats and mudflat details), tripod (for stable sunrise and sunset shots), and non-slip shoes (mudflats and coastal rocks are slippery).

4. Tides: Check the "Xiapu Tide Table" for Xiaweijiao and Xiaohao tide hunting; follow local weather public accounts for real-time info.

Xiapu’s beauty is not a "check-in" spot but a light-and-shadow magic that requires patience—when the morning sun dyes the mudflats red and the sunset embraces the coastline, you’ll understand why photographers return again and again.