Zengcuo’an: A Cultural Creative Village in Xiamen

Zengcuo’an is nestled along the Ring Island Road in Xiamen, evolving from a quaint coastal fis[...]

Zengcuo’an is nestled along the Ring Island Road in Xiamen, evolving from a quaint coastal fishing village into a popular cultural creative hub. Despite its bustling modernity, it maintains its intrinsic charm. Here, you can brew a pot of tea, sit on an old wooden rattan chair, with sunlight filtering through the fruit vine trellis above, and the salty sea breeze wafting from the coast, enjoying a moment of tranquility amidst the urban hustle.
Tour highlights:


#The Time-honored Simplicity of a Fishing Village# Even amidst the contemporary cultural boom, Zengcuo’an retains the simplicity inherent in its fishing village roots. Its history, charm, and demeanor are hidden in the inconspicuous deep alleys and whispered within the red-brick ancient dwellings. In the early morning, with few tourists and shops yet to open, the alleys exude a quiet and languid atmosphere. You can witness residents going out to buy groceries, workers sweeping the streets, and elderly people sipping morning tea in the narrow alleys. Take advantage of the solitude to visit the red-brick ancient houses and the South Seas style ‘Fan Zi Lou’; stroll through the not yet crowded Wu Jie Shi Ba Xiang, seeking traces of the fishing village in the alleys.


#The Great Integration of Customs and Beliefs# Few local villages in the world can embrace such a variety of customs and beliefs. Zengcuo’an is not only home to Taoism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam but also features the local Mazu faith, characteristic of Xiamen. Mazu is a representative belief in Southern Fujian, with each temple housing different deities, such as Sheng Ma Palace, Yonghu Palace, Fuhai Palace, Wenling Palace, and Qiming Temple, each with its own history and charm, worthy of careful study and savoring.


#A Grand Gathering of Southern Fujian Snacks# Food is another label of Zengcuo’an besides its cultural scene, with almost every alley filled with a variety of mouth-watering delicacies. Crispy and delicious thick toast, Min-Tai braised pork intestines wrapped in glutinous rice, robust and rich satay noodles, an array of fruits, and eye-catching live seafood displayed at the entrances, almost everything you can name is available here, sold by weight, cooked on the spot, and soon you can taste the fresh seafood. In addition to snacks made and sold on the spot, there are also various beautifully packaged specialties to share the deliciousness with more people.


#A Gathering Place for Unique Homestays# While Zengcuo’an’s homestays may not have the romantic charm of Dali or the retro elegance of Gulangyu, they are full of boutique sentiment, comfortable and fresh. The small village gathers a variety of characteristic homestays, including traditional courtyards with ‘deep, deep courtyards’, Baroque-style detached villas, quaint and unique fishing village ancient dwellings, and lively youth hostels that are never lonely.


The blend of tradition and modernity, along with the collision of inspiration and conception, can be witnessed in the homestays of Zengcuo’an.


#Cultural and Creative Products’ Inspiration Source# Zengcuo’an, known as the land of cultural creativity, is newly labeled with the depth of cultural and creative compound spaces, such as ‘Dian Zhi Cultural and Creative City’, which features exquisitely crafted handicrafts, quaint tea houses with flowers and plants everywhere, and old acquaintances meeting. ‘Hua Wu Que’ showcases the art style of dried flower arrangements, with a multitude of complex and diverse elements, all blooming together. This is the cultural and creative derivative power of Zengcuo’an, still spreading.


Special Experience: #Strolling through Characteristic Streets# Zengcuo’an has many small streets and alleys, making it perfect for wandering and experiencing at a leisurely pace. Modernity intersects with ancient alleys, and with a turn, one can encounter different shops, a coexistence of surprise and comfort. During holidays, various stalls make the already narrow alleys even more crowded, with cute items dazzling the eyes and making it hard to move on, making it an excellent place for a stroll.


#Biking along the Island Road# Facing the sea, Zengcuo’an is right by the more beautiful island road of Xiamen, where the annual international marathon takes place. It is mountainous and coastal, with bridges over the sea, each section of the road offering a different view. The unique subtropical climate has warm and gentle winds, and the sea is a deep blue. On both sides of the road, tall coconut trees stretch as far as the eye can see.


Renting a bicycle to ride while the sun is just right and the sea breeze is gentle is a perfect choice. Admire the swaying greenery of Yundang Lake, feel the sparkling mirror-like lake; visit the pristine Wu Yuan Bay Wetland Park to feed the elegant and graceful black swans; go to the beach to play in the water and surf, and when tired, sit on the beach for a sunbath, enjoying your own leisure time.




#Bar Hopping and Listening to Folk Music# The nights in Zengcuo’an belong to folk music. Every night, countless young people gather in the bars here, singing and talking about life, ideals, and their own joys and sorrows. Under the low and husky voice of folk music, they use emotions and stories as their drink, reminiscing about unforgettable times.


#Watching the Sea Sunrise# There are many reasons to fall in love with Zengcuo’an, and the sea is definitely one of them. If you squint and watch the sea of Zengcuo’an under the sunlight, you will definitely fall in love with it. The best time to watch the sunrise here is from November to March of the following year, around 4 or 5 in the morning, you can stroll to the beach, lean against the wooden plank road that is still dimly lit, and wait quietly for the sunrise. Such memories and emotions are truly wonderful and unforgettable.


#Slow Mail Postcards# Writing letters is a wonderful and intimate experience. The distance of space and the interval of time can always express what one cannot say at the moment, in a way that avoids embarrassment.
You can send a postcard to someone you miss, to someone you want to vent to, to your future self, or even to a stranger you’ve never met. In the village of Zengcuo’an, there are numerous artistic shops that offer slow mail postcards. If you prefer, you can also visit the post office at Xiamen University or Lujiang Road for mail delivery. The village is open all year round with full-day accessibility.


Tip 1: There are many well-known family-run inns here, such as Watcher Youth Hostel and Dream Traveler Music Inn, among others.


Tip 2: Seafood stalls and small restaurants are ubiquitous along the roadside, with options like Class 3-2, all reasonably priced. You can choose based on your needs.


Tip 3: Adjacent to Zengcuo’an is the Island Ring Road, which is a short walk away. Taking a stroll along the beach, even if you do nothing but enjoy the sea breeze and daydream, is a delightful experience.


Tip 4: There are many unique shops here, such as Sunny Day and Strolling Cat’s Double Skin Milk Tea, where you can enjoy a glass of absinthe, coffee, or an ice cream.


Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *