Eastern Fujian Coast & Mountain Villages Loop
A mountain-and-sea loop from Sandu'ao to Mount Taimu, Xiapu, and up to the ancient villages of Zhouning and Pingnan
This route connects the coast and inland highlands of eastern Fujian: the floating fish farms of Sandu'ao, Mount Taimu, Yushan Island, and the mudflats of Xiapu, before heading inland to Zhouning's Liyu (Carp) Stream, Pingnan's Baishuiyang, and the villages of Longtan and Siping. Perfect for photography enthusiasts and return visitors to Fujian. Since the villages are scattered and mountain roads are common, renting or chartering a car for the entire trip is necessary. Boat trips to the islands are subject to wind and waves; Xiapu can serve as an alternative stay.
Ferry services to Yushan Island may be suspended during typhoons or heavy fog. Baishuiyang is best visited in warmer months.
Day by day
Day 1 · Sandu'ao Floating Fishing Town
Ningde & Sandu'ao（Sandu Island & Fuhai Customs Site、Sandu'ao Floating Fishing Town）
Rent a car at Ningde Railway Station and drive to the pier (approx. 40 minutes). Take a boat to Sandu Island and the floating fish farms. Stay overnight on the island.
Ferry schedules for the fish farms are weather-dependent; confirm the last ferry before setting off.
Stay: Sandu Island
Day 2 · Head North to Mount Taimu
Return to the pier and take the G15 Shenhai Expressway to Mount Taimu (approx. 150 km, a 2-hour drive). Spend about 3 hours exploring the mountain in the afternoon.
Stay: Taimushan Town and Qinyu
Day 3 · Chixi & Jiulixi, then Ferry to Yushan Island
Fuding（Chixi Village、Jiuli Creek、Dayushan Island）
Drive to Chixi and Jiulixi in the morning. In the afternoon, drive to Yujing Pier and take a 1-hour ferry to the island. Leave your car at the pier parking lot.
Ferry schedules vary between winter and summer; check the daily updates on the 'Yushan Island Tourism' WeChat public account.
Stay: Dayushan Island
Day 4 · Return to Yujing & Sunset at Dongbi
Fuding（Yujing Fishing Village） → Xiapu（Dongbi Sunset Point）
Take a morning ferry back to Yujing, then drive to Dongbi (approx. 1.5 hours). Walk along the coastal boardwalk at dusk.
Stay: Dongbi & Sansha
Day 5 · Beiqi Sunrise, then Drive to Zhouning Highlands
Xiapu（Beiqi Mudflats、Shajiang S-Bend） → Zhouning & Shouning（Jiulongji Waterfalls、Carp Stream & Puyuan Ancient Village）
Drive to Beiqi in the early morning (approx. 30 minutes). Afterward, drive to Zhouning (approx. 2 hours) along winding mountain roads.
The light and shadow on the mudflats depend on the tides; arrive at the photography spots before sunrise.
Stay: Puyuan Ancient Village
Day 6 · Yuanyang Stream & Baishuiyang
Pingnan（Yuanyang Stream、Baishuiyang、Shuangxi Ancient Town）
Drive from Zhouning to Yuanyang Stream (approx. 50 minutes) for a 3- to 4-hour hike. Transfer to Baishuiyang in the afternoon.
Bring a change of clothes and non-slip shoes for Baishuiyang. Note that Yuanyang Stream closes early.
Stay: Shuangxi Ancient Town
Day 7 · Longtan & Siping, then Return to Fuzhou
Pingnan（Longtan Village、Siping Village）
Drive from Shuangxi to Longtan (approx. 1 hour). The two villages are a 6-minute drive apart. Return to Fuzhou in the afternoon (approx. 2.5 hours).