Shapowei
沙坡尾
A creative district converted from Xiamen Port's old fishing harbor and typhoon shelter. Fishing docks, the West Art District, and trendy cafes coexist here, making it a hub for young Xiamen culture.
Shapowei was Xiamen Port's earliest fishing port and typhoon shelter. Around 2015 it was redeveloped. The old shipyard is now the West Art District, along with independent cafes, select shops, and live houses. Fishing boats are still moored in the shelter, a place where old and new Xiamen overlap. Highlights include the circular walkway around the typhoon shelter, which is lovely at sunset when light falls on the arcades and boats, the graffiti and small exhibitions in the West Art District, and the old arcade buildings and snack shops along University Road, such as satay noodles, mochi, and four-fruit soup. There's also a viewing platform on Yanwu Bridge where you can photograph Gulangyu and the twin towers near Xiamen University. How to make a day of it: walk 10 minutes from the West Village gate of Xiamen University to Shapowei, then follow Yanwu Bridge to Baicheng Beach for sunset, linking Xiamen University, Shapowei, and Baicheng in one route. Entry is free and open all day. Getting there: take the 'Xiamen University West Village' or 'Shapowei' bus stops, or walk about 20 minutes from Metro Line 1's Zhenhai Road station. Notes: crowds are heavy on weekends and holidays, and restaurant prices run high. Be careful where there are no railings along the typhoon shelter. In residential lanes, keep noise down.
Opening hours
Open all day (shops approx. 11:00–23:00)
Nearby sights
- Overseas Chinese Museum
- Cloud Top Xiamen Observation Deck
- Haoyue Park
- Xiamen Railway Culture Park
- Yanwu Bridge Viewing Platform
- Xiamen-Kinmen Sea Cruise
- Xiamen University
- Gulangyu Organ Museum (Bagua Tower)