Xiapu county, fujian province
One of the oldest counties in eastern Fujian Province, Xiapu is home to China’s most stunning coastline. Hailed as the “offshore Venice”, Xiapu is a mecca for photography enthusiasts, who come here to shoot amazing sunsets over golden mud flats, silhouetted fishermen at work in the early morning, and ancient banyan tree forests shrouded in mist. The region is rich in seafood products, especially kelp and oysters, and some fishermen still live on boats along the shore.
One of the most spectacular scenes that photographers travel to Xiapu to capture is at low tide, when the fishermen erect bamboo poles and nets on the mud flats to dry their catch. This creates a striking web contrasting with the shimmering sunlight on the shallow water that looks as though it was plucked from an old traditional painting.
Xiapu has a warm and humid climate, and its four distinct seasons mean the landscape is always changing. The autumn harvest season (October to December) tends to be the best time of year for photography, but there are amazing photo opportunities all year round.