Where is Xiapu County in Fujian Province?
Xiapu is a small coastal county in the southeastern Chinese province of, under the jurisdiction of Ningde City. Xiapu boasts an extensive coastline, creating what is often referred to as the most beautiful mudflat landscape. Looking at the map, Xiapu is located midway between Fuzhou in Fujian Province and Wenzhou in Zhejiang Province. Xiapu is over 400 kilometers from Xiamen, which is also on the coastline, over 300 kilometers from Quanzhou, and 160 kilometers from Fuzhou.
How to Get Xiapu County from Xiamen?
Xiamen, known for the World Heritage site of Gulangyu, is a favorite destination among international tourists and a major transportation hub with many international flights. It often serves as a transit point for international tourists visiting Fujian. Thus, traveling from Xiamen to Xiapu has become a popular choice for many.
Xiamen to Xiapu Transportation
Xiamen is approximately 420 kilometers away from Xiapu. You can choose to travel by road, train, or take a flight to Fuzhou and then transit to Xiapu. The drive from Xiamen to Xiapu takes about 5 hours. Otherwise, you can fly to Fuzhou and then drive or take a bus to Xiapu. Including the wait, transit, and travel time, this option can take around 4 hours and can be expensive. Indeed, the fastest and most convenient way to get to Xiapu from Xiamen is by train.
Xiamen to Xiapu High Speed Train
The train from Xiamen to Xiapu is a D-series high-speed train. 13 trains are running daily from 8:00 to 17:00, with a journey time of 2.5 to 3.5 hours. The train only has first-class and second-class seats (D-series high-speed trains do not have business-class seats).
Xiamen to Xiapu Train Schedule and Ticket Price
Class Facilities Price (CN ¥) Second Class Comfortable seats in a 2+3 configuration, good value for money 138 - 35.5 First Class Spacious seats with extra legroom in a 2+2 configuration, priority services 221 - 57
Xiamen Railway Station
Xiamen North Railway Station is located north away from Xiamen Island, about 10 km from Xiamen airport and 20 km away from Gulangyu Island. The station is connected to the rest of the city by bus lines and the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit), and it's also accessible via taxi or private car.
Xiamen North Railway Station provides services to many cities within Fujian Province, such as Fuzhou (1.5 hours) and Quanzhou (0.5 hours), as well as to other major destinations across China, including Shanghai (8 hours), Beijing (11 hours), Guilin (4 hours), Huangshan (4.5 hours), Hangzhou (6 hours), and Guangzhou (4 hours). It's also the station most travelers use for high-speed train travel from Xiamen to Wuyi Mountain.
You can also take a high-speed train from Xiamen Railway Station, which is located on Xiamen Island close to the city center. There are only two trains from here to Quanzhou every day.
Xiapu Railway Station
Xiapu Station is the only railway station in the county, about 4 kilometers away from the county center. Over 10 high-speed trains are running between Xiamen and Xiapu every day, which usually depart from 08:00 - 17:15. It only takes about 2.5-3.5 hours to get to Xiapu from Xiamen Railway Station (厦门站) or Xiamen North Railway Station (厦门北站). The cost will be CN ¥ 138 - 221.
How to Get Xiapu from Other Cities in China?
Visit Xiapu by High Speed Train
Xiapu has a single high-speed train station, accessible from some coastal cities. The duration of the train journey varies depending on the distance. Currently, apart from Fuzhou and Xiamen within Fujian Province, Shanghai and Hangzhou are the departure points for the majority of photography tourists to Xiapu.
Depart City | During Time | Price (CN ¥) | Frequency |
---|---|---|---|
Xiamen | 3 hours | 138 - 221 | 14 |
Fuzhou | 1 hour | 54 - 87 | 27 |
Shanghai | 5.5 hours | 273 - 436 | 5 |
Hangzhou | 4 hours | 214 - 342 | 12 |
Guangzhou | 8 hours | 449 | 1 |
Beijing | 9.5 hours | 832 - 1374 | 1 |
Visit Xiapu by air
In addition to taking the train to Xiapu, you can also choose to fly. The nearest airport to Xiapu is Fuzhou Changle International Airport, which is approximately 170 kilometers away from Xiapu County. After arriving at Fuzhou Airport, you can choose to take a high-speed train from Fuzhou City, which will get you to Xiapu Station in about 1 hour. Alternatively, you can choose to take a taxi, which will take you to Xiapu in about 2.5 hours.
How to Get to Xiapu Mudflat from Xiapu Railway Station?
Xiapu Mudflat is one of the main attractions in Xiapu County, and it's relatively easy to reach from Xiapu Railway Station. Here are a few options:
Taxi or Didi (Chinese Uber): Upon arriving at Xiapu Railway Station, you could take a taxi or use a ride-hailing app like Didi to get to the mudflat. The journey usually takes about 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
Bus: Local buses also run from Xiapu Railway Station to the mudflat area. This can be a more cost-effective option, but it may take longer, especially during peak hours.
Hire a Driver or Join a Tour: To explore the vast mudflat area in Xiapu, many visitors choose to hire a local driver for the day or join a local tour. The driver or tour guide will know the best spots and times for photography, and can also provide valuable local knowledge.
Remember to check the exact location of your desired spot in the mudflat area, as "Xiapu Mudflat" can refer to several different locations. The mudflat is vast and includes many popular photography spots, such as Beiqi, Sansha, and Dongbi. Each of these spots has its own unique features and is best visited at specific times of the day to capture the most beautiful scenes.
How to Plan a Xiapu Photography Tour & Extension to Fujian
A 2-3 day photography tour in Xiapu allows travelers to capture the essence of the region's stunning mudflat landscapes. Key photography spots such as Beiqi, Sansha, and Dongbi offer unique scenic views, each presenting a distinct depiction of Xiapu's beauty. These spots are best visited at different times of the day to fully capture the changing scenery.
If you want to delve deeper into the rich cultural heritage and diverse natural landscapes of Fujian Province, consider extending your trip beyond Xiapu. Start your extended journey from Xiamen, a city known for its historic sites and natural beauty. From there, travel to the Fujian Tulou, unique rural dwellings that are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next, visit Quanzhou, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, a city renowned for its historical heritage, including the Kaiyuan Temple, Qingjing Mosque, and Quanzhou Maritime Museum. Finally, make your way to Wuyi Mountain, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, popular for its beautiful mountainous landscape and historic significance.
Explore Xiapu/Fujian with Asia Odyssey Travel
As a travel company headquartered in China and with a local team based in Xiapu, Asia Odyssey Travel is committed to providing top-tier service and ensuring an authentic and unforgettable experience for those looking to explore Xiapu and the broader Fujian region.
Our local team offers a variety of meticulously planned tours, including classic Xiapu Photography Tours, Xiamen to Xiapu tours, Wuyishan Tours, and Fujian Tulou Tours. These are designed to cater to your individual preferences, ensuring you have a delightful holiday during your Xiapu and Fujian tours. Each tour is led by professional guides knowledgeable about the local culture, history, and best photography spots, offering you a unique and immersive experience. Furthermore, our travel consultants are always ready to help you customize your Xiapu and Fujian tours at the most favorable local prices.