Top Things to Know
What to Photograph in Xiapu?
- Light and shadow of tide. The tide at sunset glow becomes golden, very texture.
- Fish and seaweed farm on mudflat. Thousands of bamboo poles in water look very dramatic.
- Seaweed harvesting and fishing in circle nets and mangrove forest.
- Buffalo farmers under the amazing sunray thru big banyan trees.
- Indoor people portraits photography in natural light.
Best Time to Visit Xiapu
The best time to visit Xiapu is between April and November due to favorable lighting and relatively stable weather conditions.
- April - June, the seaweed and fishery harvest provides a chance to capture images of people working at sea with egrets soaring above. This season offers the most extensive shooting opportunities of the year with a variety of subjects. Fishermen typically hang seaweed on bamboo sections to dry after covering the ground with it.
- July - September, although it is typhoon season, it's also the best time to capture images of the seaside sky clouds, sunrise, and sunset.
- October - December, the laver harvest season provides an opportunity to take photos of working people and maple leaves in Yangjiaxi..
- Travel Smart May and October are the peak photography seasons when the number of Chinese photographers visiting the area increases fivefold.
The Suggested Travel Dates to Xiapu in 2025
| Month | Suggested Travel Dates | Month | Suggested Travel Dates | April | 8-11 | 23-26 | May | 7-10 | 22-25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June | 5-8 | 20-23 | July | 4-7 | 20-23 |
| August | 4-7 | 18-21 | September | 3-6 | 17-20 |
| October | 17-20 | November | 1-4 | 15-18 | |
How to Reach Xiapu
Xiapu is located about 150 km to the north of Fuzhou, which is the capital city of Fujian province. Nowadays, Xiapu is conveniently accessible via high-speed trains from various major cities such as Shanghai, Hangzhou, Xiamen, Fuzhou, and others.
- Shanghai - Xiapu | 6 trains per day, departure times ranging from 8:20am to 2:45pm, and the travel time is 5.5 hours
- Xiamen - Xiapu | 14 trains per day, departure times ranging from 8am to 5pm, and the travel time is 2.5 hours
- Fuzhou - Xiapu | 22 trains per day, departure times ranging from 6:45am to 8:20pm, it takes only one hour
- Hangzhou - Xiapu | 10 trains per day, departure times ranging from 7:16am to 4:40pm, and the travel time is 4 hours
Camera Gears Suggestions
When taking on a photography tour in Xiapu, it is recommended to have both a wide angle and telephoto lens. The most impressive photos of the mudflats and work scenes are typically captured using lenses with a focal length of over 200mm. To achieve a better perspective, you may need to position yourself on a high vantage point at a distance from the mudflats and the working people. This is where lenses ranging from 70-200mm to 200-500mm can come in handy and enable you to capture some remarkable shots.
For capturing the sunrise or sunset, a wide angle lens such as the 24-70mm or 16-35mm would be useful for taking expansive pictures.
It is also recommended to carry two cameras to allow you to switch between capturing different scenes easily. The light on the mudflats changes rapidly, and if you have to keep changing lenses, you could miss the perfect shot of the sun's rays or the red glow.