Fujian is a coastal province in southeast China facing Taiwan, known for the UNESCO tulou earthen buildings, Gulangyu island, Quanzhou's Maritime Silk Road heritage and the Wuyi Mountains.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Fujian.
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- relaxed, youthful, village cafes and seafood
- Public showers
- Beachfront cafes and bars
- Seafood restaurants in the nearby village
- Free public beach access
Zengcuoan Beach
Editor’s tip. Arrive before 10:00 on summer weekends to avoid crowds and find parking or a taxi
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- family-friendly, sociable promenade with beach bars
- Free public beach
- Showers and changing rooms
- Seaside promenade on Huandao Road
- Beach bars and snack stalls
Huangcuo Beach
Editor’s tip. Visit on weekday mornings; summer weekends fill up quickly
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- youthful campus-side beach, cafes and sunsets
- Free public access
- Restrooms nearby
- Cafes along Baicheng Road
- Bike-share docks
Baicheng Beach
Editor’s tip. Walk or cycle from Xiamen University rather than driving; parking is limited
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- leisurely island beach, family-friendly and calm
- Changing rooms and showers
- Lifeguard station in summer
- Snack kiosks
- Rental umbrellas
Gangzaihou Beach, Gulangyu
Editor’s tip. Book Gulangyu ferry tickets ahead in summer and on holidays
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- lively domestic resort beach with seafood restaurants
- Lifeguard-patrolled swimming zone in season
- Showers and changing rooms
- Beachfront restaurants
- Seaside parking
Longfeng Head Beach (Longfengtou), Pingtan
Editor’s tip. Swim only in the lifeguard-patrolled zone during June to September
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- windy, informal, surf and camping scene
- Surf and kite schools
- Beachfront guesthouses and cafes
- Wild-camping zones
- Parking at the beach road
Tannan Bay (Coral Sea), Pingtan
Editor’s tip. Choose October to April for wind sports and May to October for swimming
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- laid-back island seaside with fresh seafood
- Wide fine-sand beach
- Beachfront seafood restaurants
- Rental umbrellas
- Showers
Jinluan Bay, Dongshan Island
Editor’s tip. Allow 2.5-3 hours by coach from Xiamen or Zhangzhou to Dongshan
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- quiet island beach, sunsets and Mazu pilgrimage
- Sunset-facing beach
- Island guesthouses and seafood restaurants nearby
- Electric buggies on the island
- Basic public restrooms
Huangjin Beach (Golden Beach), Meizhou Island
Editor’s tip. Confirm the last ferry back from Meizhou before staying for sunset
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- traditional seaside town with Ming-era walls
- Swimming area in summer
- Showers
- Seafood restaurants in Chongwu town
- Adjacent Ming-dynasty coastal wall walk
Chongwu Seaside Beach, Hui'an
Editor’s tip. Swim only in the marked summer swimming area, June to September
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- lively tourist-area beach with water sports
- Water-sports rentals
- Showers and changing rooms
- Seafood stalls
- Tourist-area parking
Huangjin Haian (Golden Coast) Beach, Shishi
Editor’s tip. Visit on weekdays, as summer weekends and holidays are crowded
Beaches by vibe
Pick by the mood you want — quiet, social, family, or active — and we point you at where that style lives along the coast.
Family
Family-friendly
Xiamen's Baicheng and Huangcuo beaches have gentle gradients and city facilities close by, and Jinluan Bay on Dongshan Island has wide, quiet sand for children
Sport
Active & sporty
Tannan Bay and Dongshan's bays are Fujian's wind-sports centres, with kite and surf schools running in the autumn-winter wind season
Scenic
Scenic
Meizhou Island's Huangjin Beach faces the setting sun, and Pingtan's Longfeng Head and Tannan Bay combine granite headlands with open sky
Remote
Remote
Dongshan Island's Jinluan Bay and the far end of Tannan Bay are the least crowded stretches reached after a long transfer
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Fujian memorable.
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
Swimming runs roughly May to October, with water warmest in July to September; typhoon season (July to September) can close beaches and cancel ferries, so checking the Fujian marine forecast the day before is sensible
Beach Type
Fujian's beaches are sand-and-granite East China Sea and Taiwan Strait shores: urban beaches on Xiamen Island's Huandao Road, island beaches at Pingtan, Meizhou and Dongshan, and open surf beaches at Chongwu and Shishi
Getting There
Xiamen's beaches are reached by city bus or taxi on Huandao Road; Pingtan is served by the Fuzhou-Pingtan high-speed train; Meizhou Island requires a short ferry from Wenjia Wharf in Putian; Dongshan Island is reached by road over the Dongshan Bridge
Water Quality
Water around Xiamen's Huandao Road and Pingtan is generally clear enough for swimming outside heavy-rain periods; Dongshan Island's water is among the cleanest in the province, and visitors can check beach flags at lifeguard posts
Facilities Note
Xiamen and Pingtan beaches have showers, changing rooms and nearby cafes; Meizhou Island and Dongshan beaches have simpler facilities with guesthouse-based services; summer lifeguard coverage is concentrated at the main bathing zones
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Fujian’s coast.
Is Zengcuoan Beach free to enter?
Yes. The beach is a free public beach, and showers and beachfront cafes are available nearby.
From the Zengcuoan Beach editorial.
How do visitors get to Zengcuoan Beach from central Xiamen?
A taxi or DiDi takes about 20 minutes and costs roughly ¥25-35. City buses along Huandao Road and public bikes also reach the beach.
From the Zengcuoan Beach editorial.
Is Huangcuo Beach free?
Yes. It is a free public beach with showers and changing rooms nearby.
From the Huangcuo Beach editorial.
How far is Huangcuo Beach from central Xiamen?
It is about 11 km east of the centre. Buses along Huandao Road take about 40 minutes and a taxi costs roughly ¥35-45.
From the Huangcuo Beach editorial.
Is Baicheng Beach free to enter?
Yes. The beach has free public access, with restrooms and cafes nearby.
From the Baicheng Beach editorial.
How far is it from Xiamen University?
It is about 2 km from the university's main gate, a short walk or bike ride. A taxi costs roughly ¥15-20.
From the Baicheng Beach editorial.
How do visitors reach Gangzaihou Beach?
Take the ferry from Dongdu International Cruise Center to Gulangyu (about 20 minutes), then walk about 15 minutes from Neicuo'ao pier.
From the Gangzaihou Beach, Gulangyu editorial.
Is there a lifeguard?
A lifeguard station operates in summer. Swimmers should still use caution and follow local flags and notices.
From the Gangzaihou Beach, Gulangyu editorial.