Meizhou Island Scenic Area is located in Xiuyu District, Putian City, Fujian Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist scenic area and the birthplace of the world Mazu culture. The whole island covers an area of 14.35 square kilometers, with a coastline of 30.4 kilometers. It has core scenic spots such as the Mazu Ancestral Temple, Ewei Divine Rock Garden, and Golden Beach. As a pilgrimage center for 300 million Mazu believers around the world, Meizhou Island integrates coastal scenery, religious culture, and fishing village customs, and is known as the "Mecca of the East".
History and Culture
Meizhou Island is the birthplace and the place where Mazu, Lin Moniang, ascended to heaven. In the fourth year of Yongxi in the Northern Song Dynasty (987 AD), after Mazu sacrificed herself to save people in a sea disaster, local fishermen spontaneously built a temple to worship her, and gradually the Mazu belief was formed. In the Yuan Dynasty, she was conferred the title of "Heavenly Consort", and in the Qing Dynasty, she was promoted to the title of "Heavenly Queen". The existing Mazu Ancestral Temple architectural complex was first built in the Song Dynasty, and has been repaired and expanded in successive dynasties, forming a large-scale maritime temple.
During the period when Zheng He voyaged to the Western Seas in the Ming Dynasty, the Mazu belief spread to various places in Southeast Asia with the fleet. Today, there are more than ten thousand Mazu branch temples in 47 countries and regions around the world, forming a cultural phenomenon of "where there is sea water, there are Chinese people, and where there are Chinese people, there is Mazu". In 2009, the Mazu belief custom was included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
There are more than 30 ancient architectural complexes from the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties and more than 50 cliff inscriptions on Meizhou Island. Among them, the Mazu Ancestral Temple architectural complex includes 16 halls and pavilions such as the Main Hall, the Bedroom Hall, the Bell and Drum Towers, etc., which is the oldest and largest Mazu temple in existence.
Main Scenic Spots
Mazu Ancestral Temple
The Mazu Ancestral Temple was first built in the Northern Song Dynasty, and most of the existing buildings were rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty. It is built against the mountain and forms a five-entry pattern. The Mountain Gate, the Ceremony Gate, the Main Hall, and the Bedroom Hall on the central axis progress layer by layer. The architecture combines the style of southern Fujian with the imperial regulations, and the roof uses yellow glazed tiles, highlighting the lofty status of the "Goddess of the Sea". Every year, during the birthday of Mazu (the 23rd day of the third lunar month) and the day of her ascension to heaven (the 9th day of the ninth lunar month), believers from home and abroad gather here to hold grand sacrificial ceremonies.
Ewei Divine Rock Garden
The Ewei Divine Rock Garden is located at the southernmost tip of the island, covering an area of 32 hectares, and is famous for its unique marine erosion landforms. The granite landscapes such as the "Flying Halberd Cave", the "Haimen", and the "Lion Worshiping the Sage" formed by the erosion of the waves over hundreds of millions of years are vivid. The highest viewing platform, the "Peak of the Divine Rock", offers a 360-degree view of the magnificent sea view of the Taiwan Strait.
Golden Beach
The Golden Beach is 3 kilometers long, with fine and golden sand and clear seawater, making it the best beach on Meizhou Island. The "Meiyu Chaoyin" landscape on the north side of the beach, due to the resonant sound generated by the waves hitting the rocks, was praised by Xu Xiake, a travel writer in the Ming Dynasty, as a "natural symphony".
Mazu Culture Film and Television Park
It was transformed from the filming base of the TV drama "Mazu" and restores the style of a fishing village in the Song Dynasty. It has scenes such as the Sea Altar, the Dragon Palace, and Mazu's former residence. Through live-action performances and digital technology, it shows the legends of Mazu and is an important experience place to understand Mazu culture.
Cuisine
Mazu Noodles
It is a characteristic blessing food on Meizhou Island. The handmade longevity noodles are paired with ten kinds of ingredients such as seafood, laver, and peanuts, implying perfection in all aspects. On every major festival and before going out to sea, fishermen will definitely eat these noodles to pray for safety.
Meizhou Fish Rice
It is a traditional fishing village delicacy. Fresh sea fish and glutinous rice are steamed together, and the fresh aroma of the fish and the fragrance of the rice are perfectly blended. When eating, it is paired with a special fish sauce, which is a typical representative of the island flavor.
Red Balls
They are traditional festival foods in Putian. Glutinous rice flour is used to wrap mung bean or sweet potato fillings, and auspicious patterns such as "Fu" (happiness) and "Shou" (longevity) are printed on them. The outer skin is bright red and festive, with a soft and glutinous taste and a sweet flavor. They are often used for sacrifices and entertaining guests.
Oyster Omelette
It is a classic snack in southern Fujian. Fresh oysters from Meizhou Island are used and fried with sweet potato flour and eggs. It is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and when paired with a special sweet and sour sauce, it has a unique flavor.
Tickets
The ticket price of Meizhou Island Scenic Area is 65 yuan per person in the peak season (from May 1st to October 31st), and 50 yuan per person in the off-season (from November 1st to April 30th of the following year), including the main scenic spots such as the Mazu Ancestral Temple and the Ewei Divine Rock Garden. The round-trip ferry ticket is 45 yuan per person. People over 60 years old, students, etc. can enjoy a 50% discount, and children under 1.2 meters are free of charge. The opening hours of the scenic area are from 7:00 to 19:00.
Itinerary
A recommended one-day itinerary: After taking the ferry to the island in the morning, first visit the Mazu Ancestral Temple architectural complex; then go to the Mazu Culture Film and Television Park to experience the fishing village culture; have lunch and taste the island's characteristic cuisine; in the afternoon, visit the geological wonders of the Ewei Divine Rock Garden, and finally go to the Golden Beach to play in the waves and enjoy the sea view. It is recommended to stay near the ancestral temple to experience the religious atmosphere of the morning bells and evening drums.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Navigate to Wenjia Wharf and transfer to the ferry (the driving time is about 1 hour).
- Public transportation: Take Bus No. 363 at Putian Railway Station directly to Wenjia Wharf.
- Transportation on the island: The sightseeing bus tour around the island costs 20 yuan per person, and the bicycle rental costs 30 yuan per day.
Must-visit Scenic Spots
- Mazu Ancestral Temple - The birthplace of the global Mazu belief.
- Ewei Divine Rock Garden - The wonders of the marine erosion landform formed over hundreds of millions of years.
- Golden Beach - A natural beach.
- Meiyu Chaoyin - The natural symphony highly praised by Xu Xiake in the Ming Dynasty.
Tour Suggestions
- The best tourist season is from April to October, avoiding the period when typhoons occur frequently.
- Prepare comfortable walking shoes as there are many steps and slopes in the scenic area.
- Respect religious etiquette and dress appropriately in the area of the ancestral temple.
- Check the tide time in advance for safe tide watching.
- Experience the sacrificial ceremony on the birthday of Mazu (the 23rd day of the third lunar month) (advance reservation is required).
Notes
- The ferry may be suspended due to weather conditions, so pay attention to the announcements before traveling.
- It is prohibited to bring external incense and candles into the Mazu Ancestral Temple, and environmentally friendly incense is provided.
- Protect the ecological environment of the rocks and do not carve or climb in the Ewei Divine Rock Garden.
- Pay attention to sun protection and safety warnings during seaside activities.
- Keep valuables properly as there are dense crowds in the scenic area.