China's Most Beautiful Tidal Flat--A Brief Note on Xiapu Photography Journey in November 2020

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Xiapu - Dongbi Tidal Flat - Sunset

Xiapu - Xishan Tidal Flat

Xiapu - Yantian Fish Rafts - Sunrise

Xiapu - Xishan Tidal Flat

Xiapu - Yantian Fish Rafts - Sunrise

Xiapu - Beidou Beach - Sunrise

Xiapu - Xishan Tidal Flat

Xiapu - Beiqi Tidal Flat - Tiger Skin Tidal Flat

Xiapu - Shajiang S-Bend

Xiapu - Ewan Mangrove Forest

Xiapu - Beidou Beach - Sunrise

Xiapu - Yantian Fish Rafts - Sunrise

Xiapu - Dongbi Tidal Flat

Xiapu - Dongbi Sunset

Xiapu - Dongbi Tidal Flat

Xiapu - Dongbi Sunset

Xiapu - Banyueli She Ethnic Ancient Village - She Girl

Xiapu - Dongbi Tidal Flat - Sunset

Xiapu - Nanwan Tidal Flat

Xiapu - Nanwan Tidal Flat - Colorful Fishing Nets

Xiapu - Yangjia Creek - Wayao Hanging Nets

Fujian Xiapu is China's hometown of kelp and laver. The Xiapu tidal flat also holds the reputation of 'China's Most Beautiful Tidal Flat'. Here, the blue sea and silver beaches, fishing boats singing in the evening; here, picturesque and famous far and wide.

This coast bathed in rosy clouds, in the millennium-long gazes between mountains and water, freely doodles like a heavy-colored oil painting, or like a lightly sketched ink wash, on every thriving day, it peacefully interprets the majestic rhythm of the sea in a gorgeous and unparalleled manner, playing a unique and vast marine symphony.

This coast bathed in rosy clouds, the seasonal changes of tides, the light and shadow of clouds and the maritime activities, make this beautiful and magical sea area instantly different. The fantastic and eerie full-sea pole shadows, the dreamlike sea homes, the seagulls skimming over the wave tips, the golden sand and brown reef clusters, the red cloud beam in the distant harbor sky, the sunrise and sunset over the sea... all are so vivid and amazingly wonderful. Here, everywhere contains the beautiful scenery of marine culture and art such as sea farming and sea cultivation, the tidal flat scenery praised as 'China's Most Beautiful Tidal Flat' by the photography community, those simple images composed of dots, lines and surfaces have a unique charm.

Xiapu, this 'China's Most Beautiful Tidal Flat', has now become a beloved creative base for photographers. Because of its rare beauty, more and more regular tourists are now rushing to Xiapu, and Xiapu is no longer a dedicated route for a few photographers.

I had long heard that the tidal flats of Xiapu in Fujian are very beautiful, a paradise yearned for by those who love travel, especially photography. I brushed past it many years ago, but never had the chance to fully appreciate its splendor. From November 13 to 17 this year, I was fortunate to join a Xiapu tidal flat scenery photography study tour group, coming specifically to Xiapu, and spent a few days visiting about a dozen shooting spots like Xishan, Nanwan, Dongbi, Beidou. On the long and winding tidal flats of Xiapu, I discovered the unique beauty here, found exciting aesthetic points of interest, and also brought new visual experiences, enjoying the fun of tidal flat photography.

This photography journey to Xiapu benefited from careful planning by the organizers and the tireless efforts of participants. Everyone carried their long guns and short cannons, left early and returned late, coupled with the special favor of the heavens and particularly cooperative weather, beautiful tidal flat scenery and human scenes were all captured and recorded by everyone. Although the time was short, the experience was rewarding and joyful. It was also a journey of happiness, harvest, and friendship.

Xiapu - Yantian Fish Rafts - Sunrise

Xiapu - Beiqi Tidal Flat - Sunrise

Xiapu - Yantian Fish Rafts - Sunrise

Xiapu - Nanwan Tidal Flat - Colorful Fishing Nets

Xiapu - Yangjia Creek - Wayao Hanging Nets

Xiapu - Xishan Tidal Flat

Xiapu - Ewan Mangrove Forest

Xiapu - Shajiang S-Bend

Xiapu - Xishan Tidal Flat

Xiapu - Dongbi Sunset

Xiapu - Dongbi Tidal Flat

Xiapu - Beidou Beach - Sunrise

Xiapu - Dongbi Sunset

Xiapu - Banyueli She Ethnic Ancient Village

Xiapu - Banyueli She Ethnic Ancient Village - She Old Lady

Xiapu - Dongbi Tidal Flat - Sunset

Xiapu - Nanwan Tidal Flat - Photography Enthusiasts

Xiapu - Dongbi Tidal Flat - Sunset

Day 1 November 13 (Friday) Shantou - Xiapu

Xiapu has a high-speed rail station, making it very convenient to get to Xiapu. At a little past 7 a.m., I took a bullet train from Shantou Station, transferred at Chaoshan Station, and arrived at Xiapu Station around 2 p.m. Just in time for the afternoon group outing. First went to Xishan Tidal Flat for shooting, then to Dongbi to photograph the sunset as the sun was about to set.

Xiapu - Xishan Tidal Flat

Xiapu - Dongbi Sunset

Day 2 November 14 (Saturday) Xiapu

Today's morning itinerary had two stops: first, photographing Beidou sunrise; second, photographing Ewan Mangrove Forest. Got up at 4:30 a.m., departed at 5 a.m. to Beidou Beach for sunrise shooting. The drive took about half an hour, arrived early with few people, convenient to set up camera positions.

In the afternoon, went to XiaoHao tidal flat, one of the most famous in Xiapu, to shoot the tidal flat under backlight.

Xiapu - Beidou Beach - Sunrise

Xiapu - Ewan Mangrove Forest

Xiapu - XiaoHao Tidal Flat - Photography Enthusiasts

Xiapu - XiaoHao Tidal Flat

Xiapu - XiaoHao Tidal Flat - Sunset

Day 3 November 15 (Sunday) Xiapu

Today's schedule was relatively light, with only two shooting spots. In the morning, visited Banyueli She Ethnic Ancient Village (China's Historical and Cultural Village) for sightseeing, inspiration, and shooting.

In the afternoon, photographed Dongbi Tidal Flat sunset.

Xiapu - Banyueli She Ethnic Ancient Village

Xiapu - Banyueli She Ethnic Ancient Village - She Girl

Xiapu - Banyueli She Ethnic Ancient Village

Xiapu - Banyueli She Ethnic Ancient Village - Beekeeper

Xiapu - Banyueli She Ethnic Ancient Village - She Old Lady

Xiapu - Banyueli She Ethnic Ancient Village - She Girl

Xiapu - Dongbi Tidal Flat - Sunset

Xiapu - Dongbi Tidal Flat

Xiapu - Dongbi Tidal Flat - Sunset

Day 4 November 16 (Monday) Xiapu

In the morning, there were also two shooting spots: one was Yantian Fish Rafts sunrise; the other was Nanwan Tidal Flat and Colorful Fishing Nets. Shooting sunrise meant getting up very early again, still 4:30 a.m. wake-up and 5 a.m. departure, so hard.

In the afternoon, went to Yangjia Creek to shoot Wayao Hanging Nets.

Xiapu - Yantian Fish Rafts - Sunrise

Xiapu - Yantian Fish Rafts

Xiapu - Nanwan Tidal Flat - Photography Enthusiasts

Xiapu - Nanwan Tidal Flat - Colorful Fishing Nets

Xiapu - Nanwan Tidal Flat

Xiapu - Nanwan Tidal Flat - Colorful Fishing Nets

Xiapu - Yangjia Creek - Wayao Hanging Nets

Day 5 November 17 (Tuesday) Xiapu - Shantou

Today was the last day of the Xiapu trip, with half a day of photography time left. Went to Beiqi Tidal Flat for sunrise shooting and Shajiang S-Bend for two spots. Beiqi Tidal Flat is a popular scenic spot here, with many tour groups scheduled to watch the sunrise. We set off earlier, waking up at 4 a.m. and departing at 4:30. At the small viewing platform, our group was the first to arrive. By the time we set up our camera positions, other photography enthusiasts and tourists gradually came, and many front spots were crowded.

At noon, returned to the county town for lunch and a short rest. At 1:30 p.m., went to Xiapu High-speed Rail Station, took the bullet train just after 2 p.m. to Chaoshan Station, then transferred to Shantou Station, smoothly returned home at 8 p.m., successfully concluding the efficient, well-organized, and fruitful 5-day 'Photography Xiapu' journey.

Xiapu - Beiqi Tidal Flat - Sunrise

Xiapu - Beiqi Tidal Flat - Tiger Skin Tidal Flat

Xiapu - Beiqi Tidal Flat - Sunrise

Xiapu - Beiqi Tidal Flat - Tiger Skin Tidal Flat

Xiapu - Beiqi Tidal Flat - Sunrise

Xiapu - Shajiang S-Bend

1. Most of the year is good for Xiapu tidal flat photography, but the best months are April, May, September, October, and November. June, July, and August are hot and often affected by typhoons.

2. Our timing was decent in terms of climate and weather. The temperature was between 17°C and 25°C, neither hot nor cold, quite comfortable.

3. The scenery of most tidal flats needs the reflection of colorful and ever-changing rosy clouds to be interesting and suitable for photography, so weather conditions are very important.

4. The scenes of Xiapu tidal flat vary greatly with the influence of tides. When the tide is high, you cannot feel the brilliance and charm of the tidal flat, and the daily tide rise and fall times differ. It is necessary to arrange the itinerary reasonably in advance based on weather and tide changes.

5. If you are just sightseeing, you can wander around on your own or join a tour group; if you want to do photography, it is best to have insiders form a group and lead or join a specialized photography tour.

6. Nowadays, Xiapu tidal flat photography mostly uses an impressionistic creative approach. If you join a specialized photography tour, besides having a scientifically reasonable schedule in terms of shooting times and route arrangements, many scenes will also arrange models such as fishermen working, small boats, etc., which add the finishing touch to the images.

7. The tidal flats of Xiapu are scattered in all directions of the county town, very dispersed. The nearest ones are about half an hour's drive, while the farthest take over an hour.

8. Xiapu's social and economic development has been good in recent years. The rural roads are well-connected, and the road conditions to various shooting spots are very good. If you drive yourself, an ordinary car will suffice.

9. Many of the shooting spots visited this time are not yet official attractions. Without a guide familiar with the local conditions and roads, it is not easy to reach them.

10. Shooting sunrise and sunset every day requires leaving early and returning late, which is hard. Be mentally prepared.

Xiapu - Xishan Tidal Flat

Xiapu - Ewan Mangrove Forest

Xiapu - Beiqi Tidal Flat - Sunrise

Xiapu - XiaoHao Tidal Flat

Xiapu - Ewan Mangrove Forest

Xiapu - Xishan Tidal Flat

Xiapu - Dongbi Tidal Flat - Sunset

Xiapu - Banyueli She Ethnic Ancient Village - She Old Lady

Xiapu - Xishan Tidal Flat

Xiapu - Dongbi Tidal Flat - Sunset

Xiapu - Yantian Fish Rafts - Sunrise