Meizhou Island is located in the central part of Putian City, Fujian Province. As the second-largest island in Putian, it is only 1.82 nautical miles away from the mainland. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction with distinct features, boasting both the profound heritage of the millennium-old Mazu Culture and charming coastal natural scenery. As the birthplace of Mazu Culture, it is regarded as the spiritual hometown by more than 300 million Mazu believers worldwide. The island is home to numerous Mazu Culture-related buildings and scenic spots, as well as beautiful beaches and unique sea-eroded landforms. Covering an area of 14.35 square kilometers, it has a coastline stretching 30.4 kilometers.
History and Culture
Meizhou Island is where Mazu attained immortality, holding profound historical and cultural significance. The Mazu Ancestral Temple, first built in the 4th year of the Yongxi reign of the Song Dynasty (987 AD), is the world's earliest Mazu temple and the core sacred site of Mazu Culture. It is revered as a pilgrimage destination by Mazu believers across the globe. The Dongcai Shanglin Natural Village, where the Tianfei Hometown Relics Park is situated, is the birthplace of Mazu. The park preserves cultural relics such as the cliff carving "Tianfei Hometown" from the Ming Dynasty, the stone tablet "Shanglin, the Hometown of Tianfei" from the Qing Dynasty, and ancient wells, keeping intact the historical documents and sites related to Mazu. In addition, the World Mazu Culture Forum, held annually on November 1st at its venue, undertakes the mission of spreading and promoting Mazu Culture among people along the Maritime Silk Road, further advancing the global dissemination and development of Mazu Culture.
Major Scenic Spots
Mazu Ancestral Temple
As the global pilgrimage center for Mazu believers, the temple complex with red walls and golden tiles is built against the mountain. First constructed in the 4th year of the Yongxi reign of the Song Dynasty (987 AD), it is the world's inaugural Mazu temple, enshrining the thousand-year-old camphorwood statue of Mazu carved in the Song Dynasty. It also houses Mazu statues made of various materials including "gold, wood, water, fire, and earth", making it a veritable "museum" with the largest quantity and most diverse types of Mazu statues in the world. The temple has been listed as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level and a National Civilized Unit.
Emei Divine Stone Garden
Located at the southernmost tip of Meizhou Island, also known as Emei Sea-Erosion Geopark, it faces the sea on three sides, with an altitude of 65 meters and a covering area of approximately 480 mu. It gets its name from its goose-tail-like terrain and the rare and typical sea-eroded landforms formed by Caledonian granite rocks that have undergone 410 million years of natural changes. The main attractions include Turtle Pilgrimage, Feiji Cave, Lover Frogs, and Mazu Blessing Stone.
Lianchi Beach
Nestled at the foot of the mountain where Meizhou Mazu Ancestral Temple stands, this 1.2-kilometer-long beach is shaped like a Moon Bay and connects to the Taiwan Strait. It is a bustling hub for tourists in summer, serving as both the carnival zone for the Cross-Strait Beach Music & Beer Festival and the Taiwanese Cuisine Tasting Area on Meizhou Island.
Mazu Film and Television Park
As the filming base for the 38-episode large-scale mythological TV series Mazu, it is situated on the east coast of Donghuan Road, Ganglou Village, Meizhou Island, covering an area of 60 mu. The park features attractions such as Fishing Village Castle, Ancient Charm of Meizhou Island, Lin Family Courtyard, Sea Viewing Platform, Ping'an Fort, East China Sea Dragon Palace, and Oceanarium, allowing visitors to experience the customs of a Song Dynasty fishing village.
Meizhou Island Tide Sound
Ranked among the Top 24 Scenic Spots of Putian, it is located at the northernmost tip of Meizhou Island. It is named for the constant tide sounds generated by the convergence of ocean currents near the mainland. The area features grayish-white rocks arranged in continuous rows, showcasing natural formations such as Heavenly Dog Howling at the Sun, Goshawk Playing with Mouse, and Young Swallow Spreading Wings.
Tianfei Hometown Relics Park
Located in Dongcai Shanglin Natural Village at the northwest corner of Meizhou Island, it covers an area of about 90 mu with a total construction area of approximately 9,300 square meters. As the birthplace of Mazu, the park preserves cultural relics including the Ming Dynasty cliff carving "Tianfei Hometown", the Qing Dynasty stone tablet "Shanglin, the Hometown of Tianfei", and ancient wells. It also houses main structures such as Mazu's Former Residence and Mazu Culture Origin Museum.
Venue of the World Mazu Culture Forum
First built in March 2017, it covers an area of 53 mu with a total construction area of 46,000 square meters. The World Mazu Culture Forum is held here every November 1st. In addition to the main venue, it also features leisure facilities such as the Junya Hotel under Poly Group, Meizhou Island's first 3D cinema line, and the World Crab Museum.
Hushigui Ecological Park
Located in the central part of Meizhou Island, adjacent to the Venue of the World Mazu Culture Forum, it covers a total area of over 1,000 mu. After dusk, a giant 3D water screen show Mazu is staged on the lake surface. Combining advanced technologies such as sound, light, electricity, and water with naked-eye 3D effects, the show interprets Mazu's spirit of "Establishing Virtue, Performing Good Deeds, and Showing Great Love".
Sea Reclining Buddha
Located on South Huandao Road of Meizhou Island, it is part of the Island Botanical Garden. Two uninhabited islets opposite the beach are connected to form the shape of two reclining Buddhas lying on the sea surface, with their heads resting on the waves in a serene posture.
Meidong Bay
Stretching between Mazu Ping'anli and Emei Divine Stone Garden, this slender bay is approximately 1.7 kilometers long. Equipped with beach parent-child entertainment facilities and slow walking trails, it is being developed into a multi-functional coastal tourism resort featuring water-based leisure activities.
Mangrove Park
Located along the western coastline of Meizhou Island, it has a surviving mangrove forest area of 450 mu. The main tree species include Avicennia marina, Kandelia obovata, and Aegiceras corniculatum. The park is equipped with multiple viewing platforms and a 2-kilometer-long slow walking trail, serving as a habitat for flocks of egrets.
Tour Routes
One-Day Tour Routes: - Mazu Culture Pilgrimage Tour: Mazu Ancestral Temple (including Mazu Stele Forest, Mazu Culture Park, and Morning Worship of Mazu) — Tianfei Hometown Relics Park — Mazu Ping'anli — Golden Beach. - Coastal Scenery Experience Tour: Mazu Ancestral Temple — Lianchi Beach — Emei Sea-Erosion Geopark.
Two-Day Tour Routes: - Day 1: Mazu Ancestral Temple — Tianfei Hometown Relics Park — Mazu Culture Film and Television Park — Golden Beach. - Day 2: Emei Sea-Erosion Geopark — Lianchi Beach.
Three-Day Tour Routes: - Day 1: Mazu Ancestral Temple — Tianfei Hometown Relics Park — Lianchi Beach. - Day 2: Watching the Sunrise at Meizhou Island Tide Sound — Morning Worship of Mazu — Mazu Ping'anli. - Day 3: Sea Reclining Buddha — Emei Sea-Erosion Geopark — Golden Beach — Watching the 3D Water Screen Show Mazu at Hushigui Park.
Travel Tips
- Visit between March and November when the climate is pleasant and the scenery is at its best.
- If time permits, plan a 2-3 day trip to fully explore all the scenic spots and deeply experience the culture and scenery of Meizhou Island.
- Visit Emei Divine Stone Garden at sunset to admire the beautiful sunset and unique sea-eroded landforms.
- Take sun protection measures when visiting Lianchi Beach to avoid sunburn.
- Choose regular restaurants when tasting seafood to ensure food safety and freshness.
Notes
- Check the ferry schedule in advance before boarding the island to arrange your trip properly and avoid missing the ferry.
- Respect local religious beliefs and customs, especially the etiquettes and taboos related to Mazu Culture.
- Pay attention to safety warnings when playing by the sea; do not enter dangerous areas without permission to avoid accidents.
- Protect the scenic environment by not littering and keeping the area clean.
- Compare prices when purchasing seafood or other commodities to avoid being overcharged.
Transportation
- By Air: Airports near Putian include Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, Fuzhou Changle International Airport, and Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport. From Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport: Take the airport express bus (North Railway Station Line) to Xiamen North Railway Station, then transfer to Putian Railway Station. Take Bus No. K09/363 to Wenjia Wharf, and then take a ferry to Meizhou Island. From Fuzhou Changle International Airport: Take the airport express bus to Putian Bus Station, then transfer to Bus No. 361/362 to Wenjia Wharf, followed by a ferry to Meizhou Island. From Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport: Take Bus No. K604 to Quanzhou South Railway Station, then transfer to Putian Railway Station. Take Bus No. K09/363 to Wenjia Wharf, and finally take a ferry to Meizhou Island.
- By Train: From Putian Railway Station, take Bus No. K09/363 directly to Wenjia Wharf, then take a ferry to Meizhou Island.
- By Self-Driving: Navigate to Wenjia Wharf, Putian City. Park your car at Wenjia Wharf Parking Lot (during holidays with heavy traffic, you can park at "Mazu City Langqin Bay Public Parking Lot"; free shuttle buses are available from the parking lot to Wenjia Wharf during national statutory holidays), then take a ferry to Meizhou Island.
Opening Hours
Open all year round from 07:00 to 21:00. Ferry Departure Times: Summer Schedule (April 16th to October 15th): Luxury passenger ships depart from Meizhou at the first trip at 7:00 and the last trip at 17:40; departures from Wenjia start at 7:20 and end at 18:00, with departures every 20 minutes. Night ferries are available at 19:00, 20:00, and 21:00. Winter Schedule (October 16th to April 15th of the following year): Luxury passenger ships depart from Meizhou at the first trip at 7:00 and the last trip at 17:00; departures from Wenjia start at 7:20 and end at 17:20, with departures every 20 minutes. Night ferries are available at 18:00, 19:00, and 20:00.
Ticket
Ferry Ticket Price: 125 RMB per person (round trip).
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Online Booking
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