Xiapu is incredibly beautiful, but I honestly don't recommend visiting in March, because...
Complete Xiapu Travel Guide: Explore the Secret Mountain and Sea Realm Starting from 1000 RMB per Person
Xiapu, this city located on the northeastern coast of Fujian, known as "China's Most Beautiful Mudflats," is famous for its mudflats interwoven with light and shadow, magnificent island scenery, and unique fishing village culture. Below is a detailed guide covering transportation, accommodation, dining, and attractions, with a per-person budget of 1000 to 3000 RMB, suitable for a 3 to 5-day in-depth tour.
I. Transportation Costs and Strategy
Xiapu's attractions are spread out, so transportation mainly relies on chartered cars or rental cars for greater flexibility.
External Transportation: High-speed rail: Fuzhou to Xiapu takes about 57 minutes, ticket price 53 RMB; Xiamen to Xiapu takes about 2.5 hours, ticket price about 120 RMB. It is recommended to book tickets in advance to avoid peak holiday periods.
Self-driving: From Fuzhou, it takes about 2.5 hours, and fuel and toll fees are approximately 300 to 500 RMB (round trip).
Internal Transportation: Chartered car: A one-day tour costs about 400 to 600 RMB, covering major attractions on the East or West Line; a two-day tour costs about 998 RMB (including one night's stay at a guesthouse).
Electric scooter rental: Recommended for short trips, about 80 to 120 RMB per day.
Bus: There are direct buses from Xiapu Station to Beiqi Village, but services are infrequent, and a one-way ticket costs about 5 to 10 RMB.
II. Accommodation Options and Budget
Xiapu offers a variety of accommodation types, from budget guesthouses to sea-view inns.
Budget Guesthouses: Affordable guesthouses in the county town or Sansha Town, costing 60 to 100 RMB per person per night. It is recommended to choose sea-facing rooms for convenient early morning sunrise viewing.
Sea-view Inns: Sea-view inns in Dongbi Village, Huazhu Village, and other locations offer excellent views, costing 150 to 300 RMB per person per night. Some inns provide photography guide services and can recommend niche photography spots.
Mid-to-High-End Hotels: Xiapu County has several mid-to-high-end hotels with complete facilities, priced at 300 to 600 RMB per night. Some hotels are equipped with smart room control, clothes dryers, and fitness rooms.
III. Must-Visit Attractions and Tickets
Most mudflat attractions in Xiapu are free, while some require tickets. A combined ticket for core attractions is more cost-effective.
Beiqi Mudflats: Free admission. Xiapu's most famous sunrise viewing spot. At low tide, the mudflat patterns are picturesque, with fishing boats shuttling through, creating excellent light and shadow effects.
Yangjiaxi: Ticket 68 RMB/person (including rafting). Known as an internet-famous spot for its thousand-year-old banyan tree clusters and the Tyndall effect light beams in the morning mist. From 7 AM to 9 AM, sunlight penetrates the leaves, forming light beams like a fairyland.
Dongbi Village: Free admission. Xiapu's most beautiful sunset viewing spot. The village is built against the mountain, with white houses scattered in an orderly fashion. Under the sunset, the sea glitters golden, and returning fishing boats form a stunning picture.
Shajiang S-Bay: Ticket 20 RMB/person (sanitation fee). The seaweed racks form graceful S-shaped curves as the tide rises and falls, a iconic scene of Xiapu. You need to climb to the rooftop of the adjacent teaching building to photograph it.
Xiaohao Beach: Free admission. Famous for its colorful mudflats. Under the sunlight, the mudflats display various colors like gold, red, and blue. The Xishan observation deck is the best spot for sunset photography.
Banyueli She Ethnic Ancient Village: Ticket 20 RMB/person. A well-preserved She ethnic ancient village where you can visit the She Ethnic Folk Museum to learn about She culture. The ancient residential buildings in the village have unique architectural styles, and the folk customs are simple.
Yushan Island: Boat ticket + entrance ticket approximately 150 RMB/person. Ascend "China's Top Ten Most Beautiful Islands," a combination of Tianhu Grassland and the azure coast. The 360° observation deck on the mountain top allows for stunning photos.
Xiawei Island: Free admission. Spectacular sea cave landscape. At low tide, you can go deep into the cave for photography. It is recommended to check the tide table in advance and arrive 2 hours before low tide.
IV. Dining Experience and Budget
Xiapu seafood is fresh and affordable, with most restaurants featuring local fishing village flavors at reasonable prices.
Seafood Feast: Scallion Oil Minced Snails: Snail meat minced, fresh and spicy, 30 to 50 RMB per person.
Steamed Large Yellow Croaker: Tender and fresh, 50 to 80 RMB per person.
Oyster Omelet: Crispy outside, tender inside, 15 to 20 RMB per person.
Salt and Pepper Swimming Crab: Thin shell, crisp meat, 60 to 100 RMB per person.
Recommended Restaurants: Taikang Road Seafood Stalls (50 to 80 RMB per person), Shejianshang Tanpu Seafood (100 to 150 RMB per person).
Local Snacks: Ada Yuanxiao (Sweet Rice Dumplings): Outer shell made of glutinous rice and winter rice, filling with pork hind leg, dried shrimp, etc., 10 to 15 RMB per person.
Hutang (Thick Soup): Rice paste and seafood stewed, a local breakfast favorite, 5 to 10 RMB per person.
Min'nan Hu (Fujian-style Paste): Made from sweet potato starch, with seafood and vegetables, 10 to 15 RMB per person.
Fuding Rou Pian (Meat Slices): Chewy, sour, and spicy, 15 to 20 RMB per person.
Recommended Shops: Fuding Authentic Rou Pian (Fuqian Road Branch), Wang's Old Bao Dian (Nanmen Branch).
V. Suggested Itinerary
3-Day Classic Tour (1000 to 1500 RMB per person)
Day 1: Beiqi Mudflats Sunrise → Yangjiaxi Ancient Banyan Group → Dongbi Village Sunset
Morning: Head to Beiqi Mudflats to photograph the sunrise. Check sunrise time in advance and arrive before 5:30 AM to secure a spot.
Late Morning: Visit Yangjiaxi Ancient Banyan Group, experience bamboo rafting. Photographing the old man leading an ox requires additional payment arrangements.
Evening: Enjoy the sunset in Dongbi Village. There are many scenic guesthouses in the village, offering sea views from the window.
Dinner: Savor a Xiapu seafood feast. Recommended: Taikang Road Seafood Stalls.
Day 2: Xiaohao Beach → Shajiang S-Bay → Banyueli She Ethnic Ancient Village
Morning: Head to Xiaohao Beach to photograph the colorful mudflats. In the afternoon, visit Shajiang S-Bay, requiring a climb to the rooftop of the adjacent teaching building for photography.
Afternoon: Visit Banyueli She Ethnic Ancient Village, learn about She culture, and visit the She Ethnic Folk Museum.
Dinner: Try local specialty snacks such as Ada Yuanxiao, Hutang, etc.
Day 3: Taimu Mountain or Yushan Island → Return Journey
Option A (Photography Enthusiasts/In-depth Tour): Early morning, head to Huazhu Village to photograph the sunrise, overlooking the Fuyao Islands. In the morning, drive to Taimu Mountain Scenic Area and check into Qin'yu Town at the foot of the mountain.
Option B (Relaxed Leisure): In the morning, explore the market in Xiapu County to experience local life, or visit Dajing Beach for sand and waves. In the afternoon, drive to Taimu Mountain and check into a hotel.
5-Day In-depth Tour (2000 to 3000 RMB per person)
Day 1-3: Same as the 3-day classic tour itinerary.
Day 4: Yushan Island Day Trip → Huazhu Village Secret Spot
Morning: Take a boat to Yushan Island, visit Tianhu Grassland and the azure coast. Take stunning photos from the 360° observation deck on the mountain top.
Afternoon: Head to Huazhu Village. Before nightfall, sneak into this CCTV-certified "China's Sunrise Landmark." Listen to the tide and observe the rocks under the starry sky, using long exposure to capture the Milky Way intertwined with fishing lights.
Dinner: Return to Dongbi Village for a seafood feast. Recommended: Shijianhai Cafe Terrace for time-lapse photography.
Day 5: Donghai No. 1 Line Self-Drive → Return Journey
Morning: Enjoy a coastal road trip. From Gaoluo Beach to Lyuxia Lighthouse, the entire 20+ kilometer stretch offers mountain and sea wonders. Visit attractions like Haiweijiao, Danwan Glass House, and Xiawei Island.
Afternoon: Arrange flexibly according to your return time, concluding your pleasant Xiapu trip.
VI. Practical Tips
Tide Inquiry: Beiqi Mudflats, Xiaohao Mudflats, and Xiawei Island are greatly affected by tides. It is recommended to check real-time data on WeChat or download the "Tide Table Genie" app. The mudflat patterns are clearest during low to half tide.
Photography Equipment: Wide-angle lens (16-35mm) for landscapes, telephoto lens (70-200mm) for details, tripod is essential, and a graduated neutral density filter is also helpful.
Clothing Suggestions: Mudflats can be slippery, wear non-slip shoes; temperatures vary greatly between morning and evening, bring a windbreaker; strong UV rays by the sea, take sun protection measures.
Money-Saving Tips: Avoid restaurant in scenic areas, choose small local eateries; purchasing a Xiapu tourist pass is more cost-effective; accommodation prices can be negotiated during the off-season.
Respect Local Customs: In ethnic minority communities such as She ethnic ancient villages, respect local customs and do not casually touch or damage cultural relics.
Safety Tips: Be careful when photographing on mudflats to avoid slipping; it can be windy by the sea, bring insect repellent; confirm car model and price in advance when chartering a car to avoid motorcycle safety hazards.