Three days and two nights in Ningde | A complete guide to a severely underrated hidden gem of mountains and sea. The beauty of Fujian is not limited to Gulangyu Island in Xiamen and the ancient city of Quanzhou; Ningde, hidden in eastern Fujian, is another treasure.
Ningde 3 Days 2 Nights | A Complete Guide to a Seriously Underrated Mountain and Sea Paradise
The beauty of Fujian extends far beyond Xiamen's Gulangyu Island and Quanzhou's ancient city. Hidden in eastern Fujian is Ningde, a truly underrated mountain and sea paradise 🌊⛰️. Here, half is the azure sea, with shimmering mudflats and pristine islands; the other half is verdant mountains, with tranquil and rustic ancient villages and vibrant streams and waterfalls. There are no crowds, only delightful surprises at every turn. This in-depth 3-day, 2-night guide connects Ningde's sea, mountains, and villages, offering a leisurely and unhurried experience, unlocking the unique romantic mountain and sea scenery of eastern Fujian.
🚗Pre-trip Must-Read|Transportation & Accommodation Guide: Learn from Our Experiences and Avoid Mistakes
🚙Transportation Recommendations【Self-driving is the Best Option for Flexible Mountain and Sea Exploration】
Ningde's attractions are scattered, with mountains and sea interspersed, and some roads are mountainous. Renting a car (SUV is preferred) is the best solution, with daily rental costs 150-200 RMB. Alternatively, you can hire a car for about 300 RMB/day; the driver is familiar with the roads and it's hassle-free.
Public Transportation Reference: Take the high-speed train to Ningde Station/Xiapu Station. Between scenic areas, you can take inter-county buses + local public buses, suitable for budget travelers, but it takes a bit longer, and public transportation is inconvenient in some less-visited villages.
✨Special Transportation: To get to Yushan Island, you need to take a boat from Yujing Wharf (50 minutes, round-trip ticket 100 RMB). Be sure to check the tide table in advance to avoid ferry cancellation periods.
🏡Accommodation Recommendations【Easy Retreats Between Mountains and Sea, Divided by Price Range】
🌊Seaside Boutique (Xiapu Section, Sea Views from Every Window)
· Xiapu Weilan Yunwan Homestay: A hidden gem of a homestay in Gutong Village, Sansha Town, nestled against the mountains and facing the sea. Every room offers sea views. Just a 300-meter walk to the light and shadow boardwalk. Features a swimming pool and restaurant; the auntie's seafood dishes are incredibly authentic. Average price: 200-400 RMB per person.
· Dongbi Village Homestay: Near a sunset photography spot, specializing in affordable sea-view rooms. Average price: 150-250 RMB per person. Ideal for tourists watching the sunset over the mudflats.
🏡Ancient Village Mountain Retreat (Pingnan Section, Tranquil and Secluded)
· Longtan Village Homestay: An eco-friendly ancient village homestay, mostly converted old houses. The wooden structures exude a warm, rustic charm. Average price: 100-200 RMB per person. Fall asleep to the sound of a flowing stream at night.
· Pingnan County Town Hotels: Well-equipped, high cost-performance ratio, 120-200 RMB per person, suitable for tourists visiting Baishuiyang/Yuanyangxi.
📍Convenient Location in the City (Ningde City, Transportation Hub)
· Chain hotels such as All Seasons and Hanting, 150-300 RMB per person, close to the train station and food street, suitable for the beginning and end of the trip.
🗺️Three Days Two Nights In-Depth Itinerary|Mountains and Sea in Harmony, Slow Travel Without Rushing
🌟Day 1: Ningde by the Sea · Xiapu Mudflat Light and Shadow Tour "Chase a sunset over the sea and taste fresh mudflat seafood"
Core Route: Beiqi Mudflats → Xiaohao Beach → Sansha Light and Shadow Boardwalk/Dongbi Village Slow Travel Highlights: Unlock the magic of light and shadow at "China's most beautiful mudflats," travel along the coast the entire way, every step is a romantic sea view.
✅Morning: Beiqi Mudflats. In the early morning, the mudflats are shrouded in mist. Fishing boats glide across the golden surface, and fishermen gathering seafood create stunning silhouettes. Every shot is a masterpiece. No entrance fee; simply walk to the viewing platform.
✅Lunch: Enjoy seafood near Xiaohao Beach. Try the freshest mudflat seafood, such as boiled spicy snails and salt-baked razor clams. A meal costs 50-80 RMB per person and you can eat your fill.
✅Afternoon: Stroll along Xiaohao Beach. The sand is fine, and the seawater is clear. You can walk on the sand and wade in the waves, watching the light and shadow on the mudflats change with the sunlight. In the evening, drive to Dongbi Village/Sansha Light and Shadow Boardwalk to watch the sunset paint the sea orange-red, and see the fishing boats returning to port – a truly atmospheric experience.
✅Evening: Enjoy a seafood feast at the food stalls on Taikang Road in Xiapu. Order steamed yellow croaker and oyster omelets. After dinner, explore Xiapu County and experience the vibrant atmosphere of this coastal town.
🌟Day 2: A Pristine Island Getaway to Yushan Island – "Sea Grassland, Unlocking the Romance of a Lesser-Known Island"
Core Route: Yujing Wharf → Yushan Island (Datian Lake → Xiaotian Lake → 10,000-Mu Sea Grassland)
Highlights: Rated as one of "China's Top Ten Most Beautiful Islands" by *China National Geographic*, the 10,000-mu sea grassland is breathtaking, pristine and undeveloped.
✅Morning: Take the 8:30 AM ferry from Yujing Wharf to Yushan Island. A 50-minute journey with views of the azure East China Sea. Upon arrival on the island, take the scenic shuttle bus to the main attractions.
✅Lunch: Enjoy a simple seafood lunch at a guesthouse in a fishing village on Yushan Island, featuring yellow croaker with omelet and mussel soup. All ingredients are freshly caught, fresh, and affordable.
✅Afternoon: Visit Da Tianhu and Xiao Tianhu, alpine lakes nestled amidst a sea of grasslands. The lakes are azure blue like jewels, surrounded by lush green grass where cattle and sheep graze freely, creating a scene straight out of a Miyazaki animation. Hike through the vast sea grasslands, enjoying the sea breeze and panoramic views of the distant islands.
✅Evening: Take the ferry back to Yujing Wharf, then drive to Longtan Village in Pingnan County. Check into a guesthouse in the ancient village, stroll through the evening, watch lanterns reflected in the streams, and listen to the villagers chatting.
🌟Day 3: Ningde Mountain Scenery - Ancient Village and Waterfall Eco-Tour "Exploring Ancient Villages, Encountering the Vibrant Mountain Scenery"
Core Route: Longtan Village → Sipin Village → Jiulongji Waterfall
Slow Travel Highlights: Explore the pristine ancient villages of eastern Fujian, witness the grandeur of the largest waterfall in East China, and experience the tranquility and vitality of the mountains.
✅Morning: Stroll leisurely through Longtan Village, an ancient village untouched by commercialization. With its cobblestone streets, rammed-earth houses, and babbling brooks, the village offers handicraft workshops and a bookstore where you can experience movable-type printing and tie-dyeing. Enjoy a cup of wild mountain coffee; time seems to slow down.
✅Lunch: Enjoy a farm-style meal in Longtan Village, featuring dishes like braised pig's feet with milk root, fermented bamboo shoots, and She ethnic black glutinous rice. Savor authentic Mindong mountain delicacies and She ethnic specialties.
✅Afternoon: Drive to Sipin Village, another pristine ancient village. Ancient trees beside the old houses provide ample shade, casting shadows through the leaves, creating perfect retro-style photos. Afterwards, head to Zhouning Jiulongji Waterfall, witnessing the nine-tiered waterfall cascading down with tremendous force. The title of "First Waterfall in East China" is well-deserved. The boardwalk within the scenic area is gentle, making for an easy and effortless stroll.
✅Evening: Before heading back, enjoy a bowl of Shouning rice cake and Fuding sliced meat in Zhouning County, sampling all the local snacks of Eastern Fujian, concluding your perfect mountain and sea trip.
🍜Ningde Food Guide|Taste of Mountains and Sea, Savor the Freshness of Eastern Fujian in One Bite
Ningde is nestled between mountains and the sea, its cuisine combining the freshness of seafood and the richness of mountain delicacies, along with unique She ethnic flavors. At 30-100 RMB per person, you'll eat until you're stuffed!
🌊Must-Try Seafood【Eastern Fujian Seafood, So Fresh It'll Make Your Eyebrows Drop】
· Yellow Croaker Feast: Ningde is known as the "Hometown of Chinese Yellow Croaker." Steamed yellow croaker is as tender as garlic cloves, fermented yellow croaker has a rich, mellow aroma, and yellow croaker with fried eggs is savory and perfect with rice. You can't go wrong with any of these dishes.
· Mudflat Seafood: Erdu clams are lightly blanched in boiling water and dipped in garlic vinegar for a fresh, sweet, and crisp taste; salt-baked razor clams retain their original flavor; spicy snails and turtle feet are best enjoyed simply blanched to bring out their natural taste. These can be found at seafood stalls in Xiapu and Fuding.
· Oyster Omelet/Oyster Bun: The Mindong version of oyster omelet is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Oyster buns are a street food staple; they're made by coating oysters in batter and deep-frying them, bursting with juice in every bite.
🏞️Mountain Delicacies & Snacks [Mindong Flavors Hidden in the Streets]
· Fuding Sliced Pork: A signature snack of Ningde, pork hind leg meat is pounded into a paste, the broth is sour and spicy, and the meat is springy. A bowl costs 5-10 yuan at street stalls.
· She Ethnic Specialties: Black glutinous rice is dark and fragrant; reed-leaf dumplings are fragrant with herbs and eaten dipped in white sugar. Authentic versions can be found in She villages in Jiaocheng and Fu'an.
· Wild Herbal Cuisine: Milk root stewed with pig's trotters, monk fruit soup—standard farm-style dishes in Pingnan and Zhouning, warming and nourishing.
· Other Snacks: Ningde thick soup (a must-eat for breakfast, made with rice flour and seafood), Fu'an Guangbing (crispy with meat filling), Gutian white fungus soup (sweet and moisturizing).
📍Great Places to Eat
· Xiapu Taikang Road food stalls, Fuding Seafood Street: Abundant seafood, great value;
· Ningde Old Town Night Market (South Ring Road): A wide variety of snacks, including thick soup, sliced meat, and Guangbing—all in one place;
· Longtan Village/Siping Village Farmhouse Cuisine: Authentic mountain delicacies, all ingredients freshly picked from the mountains.
💡Practical Tips to Avoid Pitfalls|Easy Exploration of Mountains and Seas, Avoiding Detours
1. Mudflat Photography: The best time to photograph the mudflats of Xiapu is at dawn and dusk. Check the weather forecast in advance; sunny days offer the best light and shadow effects. Wearing light-colored clothing will result in better photos.
2. Yushan Island Travel: Be sure to check the tide tables and ferry schedules in advance, as ferries may be suspended in strong winds. The island has strong UV rays, so bring a sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and comfortable hiking shoes.
3. Ancient Village Exploration: Longtan Village and Siping Village are pristine ancient villages without trendy shops. The focus is on slow travel; don't rush, just relax and enjoy the experience.
4. Food Pitfalls: Avoid overpriced seafood restaurants in tourist areas. Opt for local stalls in the county town or small shops in fishing villages. Prices are clearly marked, and the seafood is fresh and affordable. Confirm the price before ordering seafood to avoid being overcharged.
5. Driving on Mountain Roads: Some mountain roads in Ningde have many bends and steep slopes. Drivers should reduce speed and check their vehicle's condition beforehand; avoid driving on mountain roads at night if possible.
6. Items to Prepare: Bring a collapsible water bottle, mosquito repellent (many mosquitoes in ancient villages/islands), a light jacket (it gets cool in the mountains in the mornings and evenings), and a power bank (taking photos drains the battery quickly).
✨In Conclusion
The beauty of Ningde lies in the gentle embrace of its mountains and sea, the play of light and shadow on the mudflats, the grasslands of the islands, and the tranquility of the ancient villages—a pristine beauty untouched by commercialization. It may not be as dazzling as popular tourist cities, but it touches every visitor with its unspoiled mountain and sea scenery.
Spend three days and two nights exploring from the sea to the mountains, from the mudflats to the ancient villages, taking your time to wander and discover that this underrated town in eastern Fujian is a hidden gem of Fujian tourism 🌊⛰️.
Ningde 3 Days 2 Nights | A Complete Guide to a Seriously Underrated Mountain and Sea Paradise
The beauty of Fujian extends far beyond Xiamen's Gulangyu Island and Quanzhou's ancient city. Hidden in eastern Fujian is Ningde, a truly underrated mountain and sea paradise 🌊⛰️. Here, half is the azure sea, with shimmering mudflats and pristine islands; the other half is verdant mountains, with tranquil and rustic ancient villages and vibrant streams and waterfalls. There are no crowds, only delightful surprises at every turn. This in-depth 3-day, 2-night guide connects Ningde's sea, mountains, and villages, offering a leisurely and unhurried experience, unlocking the unique romantic mountain and sea scenery of eastern Fujian.
🚗Pre-trip Must-Read|Transportation & Accommodation Guide: Learn from Our Experiences and Avoid Mistakes
🚙Transportation Recommendations【Self-driving is the Best Option for Flexible Mountain and Sea Exploration】
Ningde's attractions are scattered, with mountains and sea interspersed, and some roads are mountainous. Renting a car (SUV is preferred) is the best solution, with daily rental costs 150-200 RMB. Alternatively, you can hire a car for about 300 RMB/day; the driver is familiar with the roads and it's hassle-free.
Public Transportation Reference: Take the high-speed train to Ningde Station/Xiapu Station. Between scenic areas, you can take inter-county buses + local public buses, suitable for budget travelers, but it takes a bit longer, and public transportation is inconvenient in some less-visited villages.
✨Special Transportation: To get to Yushan Island, you need to take a boat from Yujing Wharf (50 minutes, round-trip ticket 100 RMB). Be sure to check the tide table in advance to avoid ferry cancellation periods.
🏡Accommodation Recommendations【Easy Retreats Between Mountains and Sea, Divided by Price Range】
🌊Seaside Boutique (Xiapu Section, Sea Views from Every Window)
· Xiapu Weilan Yunwan Homestay: A hidden gem of a homestay in Gutong Village, Sansha Town, nestled against the mountains and facing the sea. Every room offers sea views. Just a 300-meter walk to the light and shadow boardwalk. Features a swimming pool and restaurant; the auntie's seafood dishes are incredibly authentic. Average price: 200-400 RMB per person.
· Dongbi Village Homestay: Near a sunset photography spot, specializing in affordable sea-view rooms. Average price: 150-250 RMB per person. Ideal for tourists watching the sunset over the mudflats.
🏡Ancient Village Mountain Retreat (Pingnan Section, Tranquil and Secluded)
· Longtan Village Homestay: An eco-friendly ancient village homestay, mostly converted old houses. The wooden structures exude a warm, rustic charm. Average price: 100-200 RMB per person. Fall asleep to the sound of a flowing stream at night.
· Pingnan County Town Hotels: Well-equipped, high cost-performance ratio, 120-200 RMB per person, suitable for tourists visiting Baishuiyang/Yuanyangxi.
📍Convenient Location in the City (Ningde City, Transportation Hub)
· Chain hotels such as All Seasons and Hanting, 150-300 RMB per person, close to the train station and food street, suitable for the beginning and end of the trip.
🗺️Three Days Two Nights In-Depth Itinerary|Mountains and Sea in Harmony, Slow Travel Without Rushing
🌟Day 1: Ningde by the Sea · Xiapu Mudflat Light and Shadow Tour "Chase a sunset over the sea and taste fresh mudflat seafood"
Core Route: Beiqi Mudflats → Xiaohao Beach → Sansha Light and Shadow Boardwalk/Dongbi Village Slow Travel Highlights: Unlock the magic of light and shadow at "China's most beautiful mudflats," travel along the coast the entire way, every step is a romantic sea view.
✅Morning: Beiqi Mudflats. In the early morning, the mudflats are shrouded in mist. Fishing boats glide across the golden surface, and fishermen gathering seafood create stunning silhouettes. Every shot is a masterpiece. No entrance fee; simply walk to the viewing platform.
✅Lunch: Enjoy seafood near Xiaohao Beach. Try the freshest mudflat seafood, such as boiled spicy snails and salt-baked razor clams. A meal costs 50-80 RMB per person and you can eat your fill.
✅Afternoon: Stroll along Xiaohao Beach. The sand is fine, and the seawater is clear. You can walk on the sand and wade in the waves, watching the light and shadow on the mudflats change with the sunlight. In the evening, drive to Dongbi Village/Sansha Light and Shadow Boardwalk to watch the sunset paint the sea orange-red, and see the fishing boats returning to port – a truly atmospheric experience.
✅Evening: Enjoy a seafood feast at the food stalls on Taikang Road in Xiapu. Order steamed yellow croaker and oyster omelets. After dinner, explore Xiapu County and experience the vibrant atmosphere of this coastal town.
🌟Day 2: A Pristine Island Getaway to Yushan Island – "Sea Grassland, Unlocking the Romance of a Lesser-Known Island"
Core Route: Yujing Wharf → Yushan Island (Datian Lake → Xiaotian Lake → 10,000-Mu Sea Grassland)
Highlights: Rated as one of "China's Top Ten Most Beautiful Islands" by *China National Geographic*, the 10,000-mu sea grassland is breathtaking, pristine and undeveloped.
✅Morning: Take the 8:30 AM ferry from Yujing Wharf to Yushan Island. A 50-minute journey with views of the azure East China Sea. Upon arrival on the island, take the scenic shuttle bus to the main attractions.
✅Lunch: Enjoy a simple seafood lunch at a guesthouse in a fishing village on Yushan Island, featuring yellow croaker with omelet and mussel soup. All ingredients are freshly caught, fresh, and affordable.
✅Afternoon: Visit Da Tianhu and Xiao Tianhu, alpine lakes nestled amidst a sea of grasslands. The lakes are azure blue like jewels, surrounded by lush green grass where cattle and sheep graze freely, creating a scene straight out of a Miyazaki animation. Hike through the vast sea grasslands, enjoying the sea breeze and panoramic views of the distant islands.
✅Evening: Take the ferry back to Yujing Wharf, then drive to Longtan Village in Pingnan County. Check into a guesthouse in the ancient village, stroll through the evening, watch lanterns reflected in the streams, and listen to the villagers chatting.
🌟Day 3: Ningde Mountain Scenery - Ancient Village and Waterfall Eco-Tour "Exploring Ancient Villages, Encountering the Vibrant Mountain Scenery"
Core Route: Longtan Village → Sipin Village → Jiulongji Waterfall
Slow Travel Highlights: Explore the pristine ancient villages of eastern Fujian, witness the grandeur of the largest waterfall in East China, and experience the tranquility and vitality of the mountains.
✅Morning: Stroll leisurely through Longtan Village, an ancient village untouched by commercialization. With its cobblestone streets, rammed-earth houses, and babbling brooks, the village offers handicraft workshops and a bookstore where you can experience movable-type printing and tie-dyeing. Enjoy a cup of wild mountain coffee; time seems to slow down.
✅Lunch: Enjoy a farm-style meal in Longtan Village, featuring dishes like braised pig's feet with milk root, fermented bamboo shoots, and She ethnic black glutinous rice. Savor authentic Mindong mountain delicacies and She ethnic specialties.
✅Afternoon: Drive to Sipin Village, another pristine ancient village. Ancient trees beside the old houses provide ample shade, casting shadows through the leaves, creating perfect retro-style photos. Afterwards, head to Zhouning Jiulongji Waterfall, witnessing the nine-tiered waterfall cascading down with tremendous force. The title of "First Waterfall in East China" is well-deserved. The boardwalk within the scenic area is gentle, making for an easy and effortless stroll.
✅Evening: Before heading back, enjoy a bowl of Shouning rice cake and Fuding sliced meat in Zhouning County, sampling all the local snacks of Eastern Fujian, concluding your perfect mountain and sea trip.
🍜Ningde Food Guide|Taste of Mountains and Sea, Savor the Freshness of Eastern Fujian in One Bite
Ningde is nestled between mountains and the sea, its cuisine combining the freshness of seafood and the richness of mountain delicacies, along with unique She ethnic flavors. At 30-100 RMB per person, you'll eat until you're stuffed!
🌊Must-Try Seafood【Eastern Fujian Seafood, So Fresh It'll Make Your Eyebrows Drop】
· Yellow Croaker Feast: Ningde is known as the "Hometown of Chinese Yellow Croaker." Steamed yellow croaker is as tender as garlic cloves, fermented yellow croaker has a rich, mellow aroma, and yellow croaker with fried eggs is savory and perfect with rice. You can't go wrong with any of these dishes.
· Mudflat Seafood: Erdu clams are lightly blanched in boiling water and dipped in garlic vinegar for a fresh, sweet, and crisp taste; salt-baked razor clams retain their original flavor; spicy snails and turtle feet are best enjoyed simply blanched to bring out their natural taste. These can be found at seafood stalls in Xiapu and Fuding.
· Oyster Omelet/Oyster Bun: The Mindong version of oyster omelet is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Oyster buns are a street food staple; they're made by coating oysters in batter and deep-frying them, bursting with juice in every bite.
🏞️Mountain Delicacies & Snacks [Mindong Flavors Hidden in the Streets]
· Fuding Sliced Pork: A signature snack of Ningde, pork hind leg meat is pounded into a paste, the broth is sour and spicy, and the meat is springy. A bowl costs 5-10 yuan at street stalls.
· She Ethnic Specialties: Black glutinous rice is dark and fragrant; reed-leaf dumplings are fragrant with herbs and eaten dipped in white sugar. Authentic versions can be found in She villages in Jiaocheng and Fu'an.
· Wild Herbal Cuisine: Milk root stewed with pig's trotters, monk fruit soup—standard farm-style dishes in Pingnan and Zhouning, warming and nourishing.
· Other Snacks: Ningde thick soup (a must-eat for breakfast, made with rice flour and seafood), Fu'an Guangbing (crispy with meat filling), Gutian white fungus soup (sweet and moisturizing).
📍Great Places to Eat
· Xiapu Taikang Road food stalls, Fuding Seafood Street: Abundant seafood, great value;
· Ningde Old Town Night Market (South Ring Road): A wide variety of snacks, including thick soup, sliced meat, and Guangbing—all in one place;
· Longtan Village/Siping Village Farmhouse Cuisine: Authentic mountain delicacies, all ingredients freshly picked from the mountains.
💡Practical Tips to Avoid Pitfalls|Easy Exploration of Mountains and Seas, Avoiding Detours
1. Mudflat Photography: The best time to photograph the mudflats of Xiapu is at dawn and dusk. Check the weather forecast in advance; sunny days offer the best light and shadow effects. Wearing light-colored clothing will result in better photos.
2. Yushan Island Travel: Be sure to check the tide tables and ferry schedules in advance, as ferries may be suspended in strong winds. The island has strong UV rays, so bring a sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and comfortable hiking shoes.
3. Ancient Village Exploration: Longtan Village and Siping Village are pristine ancient villages without trendy shops. The focus is on slow travel; don't rush, just relax and enjoy the experience.
4. Food Pitfalls: Avoid overpriced seafood restaurants in tourist areas. Opt for local stalls in the county town or small shops in fishing villages. Prices are clearly marked, and the seafood is fresh and affordable. Confirm the price before ordering seafood to avoid being overcharged.
5. Driving on Mountain Roads: Some mountain roads in Ningde have many bends and steep slopes. Drivers should reduce speed and check their vehicle's condition beforehand; avoid driving on mountain roads at night if possible.
6. Items to Prepare: Bring a collapsible water bottle, mosquito repellent (many mosquitoes in ancient villages/islands), a light jacket (it gets cool in the mountains in the mornings and evenings), and a power bank (taking photos drains the battery quickly).
✨In Conclusion
The beauty of Ningde lies in the gentle embrace of its mountains and sea, the play of light and shadow on the mudflats, the grasslands of the islands, and the tranquility of the ancient villages—a pristine beauty untouched by commercialization. It may not be as dazzling as popular tourist cities, but it touches every visitor with its unspoiled mountain and sea scenery.
Spend three days and two nights exploring from the sea to the mountains, from the mudflats to the ancient villages, taking your time to wander and discover that this underrated town in eastern Fujian is a hidden gem of Fujian tourism 🌊⛰️.