Encountering Zhenhai Cape: A Summer Rendezvous with a Lighthouse and Meadows

In Fujian, there lies a hidden gem known as Zhenhai Cape, often referred to by backpackers as "Fujian's Little Kenting." Staying at Jinjiang Inn Select Xiamen Airport Jimei School Town Hotel makes embarking on this wonderful journey even more convenient. Zhenhai Cape is a natural peninsula at the tip of Longhai, Zhangzhou, quietly waiting for over 600 years. On this sea-surrounded headland, the red-and-white lighthouse stands like a solitary sentinel, silently facing the Taiwan Strait. The peninsula, formed by volcanic rock, features vast meadows as neatly trimmed as if carefully tended, painting a breathtaking picture alongside the azure sea and sky in the distance. The best way to explore this hidden paradise is by car. Simply navigate to "Longhai Zhenhai Village" or "Qiwei Mountain"—if you input "Zhenhai Cape," the map might lead you to an unreachable island. Visitors from Xiamen can take a speedboat from Xiamen Tourist Ferry Terminal, arriving at Zhangzhou Port in about 20 minutes. After disembarking, turn right to the bus station, where Bus 605 will take you deep into the mountains and sea. For a quicker and easier option, take a taxi at the exit for ¥30 per person directly to the scenic area, and remember to keep the driver's contact for your return trip. Stepping onto the peninsula, time seems to freeze in the sea breeze. Cattle leisurely stroll through knee-high grass, while distant fishing rafts scatter across the water like chess pieces. Follow the winding path to the peninsula's tip, where the red-and-white lighthouse stands vividly against the blue sky. Here, there are no ticket gates or noisy vendors—only the eternal symphony of waves crashing against black basalt. Photography enthusiasts often wait here for the miracle of dawn at 5 AM. When the sun breaks free from the horizon, golden light instantly ignites the entire bay. If camping, pitching a tent on the grass to the left of the lighthouse is a great choice. Unzip your tent in the morning, and the sunrise over the Taiwan Strait becomes your private spectacle. At night, the Milky Way cascades from the lighthouse's peak, with stars so clear they seem within reach. As the sunset dyes the lighthouse honey-colored, take a stroll along the ancient city walls of Zhenhaiwei. Among the ruins of the Ming Dynasty's "Zhenhai Fortress," the battle cries of anti-pirate soldiers have long faded into whispers of the sea breeze. Once one of the four major fortress cities, only weathered stones and a few wisps of chimney smoke remain, recounting forgotten tales of the coastal frontier. The beauty of Zhenhai Cape lies in its untamed wildness. It's this raw authenticity that makes moments of seaside serenity the most luxurious therapy for city dwellers. When the grass brushes your ankles and the sea breeze fills your clothes, you'll understand—some landscapes are meant to keep their distance from the world. And Jinjiang Inn Select Xiamen Airport Jimei School Town Hotel is the warm starting point and homecoming for this beautiful journey.