Off to the ‘Chinese Santorini’: Ningde in Fujian, a lesser-known but breathtakingly beautiful coastal town in China
Xiapu is part of Ningde in Fujian Province and is affectionately known as the ‘Chinese Santorini’. It is a famous spot for photographing China’s tidal flat landscapes, with more than 500 kilometres of winding coastline where the mountains and the sea blend harmoniously. The unique play of light on the tidal flats is renowned worldwide: at sunrise over the North Qi Tidal Flats, golden light bathes the water, whilst the bamboo poles used for seaweed cultivation draw regular lines across the tide. Fishing boats criss-cross the S-bend of the Shajiang River, leaving gentle ripples in their wake. In the village of Dongbi, the sunset paints the sea orange-red, and the white-and-blue fishing villages clinging to the cliffs evoke the romance of the Mediterranean.
Along the ‘East China Sea No. 1’ coastal road, you can explore the fine sandy beaches of Dajing, the sea caves of Xiaweidao and the Huazhu viewpoint for watching sunrises. You can watch the fishermen go about their daily work, enjoy fresh seafood and savour the tranquil atmosphere of the coastal countryside. Far removed from excessive commercialisation, Xiapu combines poetic natural scenery with an authentic local way of life – a hidden, romantic coastal paradise on the East China Sea that you can experience without travelling abroad. (Source: FITT China Travel)
