Meizhou Island

Meizhou IslandLocated in the southern part of Putian, it is a small island that is long and narrow from north to south.Meizhou IslandIt is the birthplace of Mazu culture. The majestic Mazu Ancestral Temple sits on the island, which has long been a pilgrimage site for coastal believers and is known as the "Mecca of the East." The island boasts beautiful scenery, with geological views of peculiar boulders seen everywhere, as well as broad, fine, soft beaches, making it a holiday resort. From downtown Putian, you can take a bus to Wenjia Pier and then take a ferry to the island.Meizhou IslandNot too large; as long as you go early and plan your visiting time reasonably, you can complete a 1-day tour of the main attractions. The island features attractions such as the Mazu Ancestral Temple, Mazu Culture Park, Ewei Divine Stone Park, Golden Beach, and Mazu Film and Television City, all of which can be reached conveniently by the island's buses. Of course, you can also stay on the island for one or two nights to fully enjoy the sunshine and beaches here, or rent a bicycle for cycling around the island to savor the local customs and beautiful scenery. The Meizhou Mazu Ancestral Temple is the ancestral temple of nearly ten thousand Mazu temples worldwide. The ancestral temple mainly includes the Tianhou Palace, Chaotian Pavilion, Bell and Drum Tower, and other buildings. Every day, many devotees come here to offer incense and pray, so the incense offerings are very abundant. The Mazu Culture Park is adjacent to the ancestral temple. The culture park is a paid attraction, and at its summit sits a giant 14 m tall stone statue of Mazu. The park also contains stone carvings and a newly built vast temple complex. If you view these buildings from the sea by boat, it feels quite like the "Potala Palace on the sea"—very magnificent. Ewei Divine Stone Park is another major attraction on the island, located at the southern end. Here you can walk along the seaside ridges to climb high and gaze at the sea, or wander among the various grotesque rock formations. The visiting time for the Divine Stone Park is about 2 hours, and most of the park consists of mountain paths and stone steps, so you need to pay attention to safety while walking. It is recommended to bring plenty of water and take sun protection measures. As a famous island,Meizhou IslandNaturally, there are also several beaches, including Niutouwei Beach in the north of the island, Lianchiao Beach in the middle, and Ewei Mountain Beach in the south. But the most famous is Golden Beach at the southwest tip of the island. This three-kilometer stretch of beach has a gentle slope and fine, soft sand, making it a great spot for beachcombing, playing in the sand, and swimming. When you come here at dawn or dusk, you can see the sea surface shimmering with golden light in the sunlight—truly captivating.