Huandao Lu Coastal Road

Huandao Lu (环岛路) circles the southern and eastern shores of Xiamen Island for about 43 kilometres, and the section between Baicheng Beach and Zengcuo'an is the most scenic stretch in the city. The road runs along the coast with views out to the sea and the offshore islands, with a dedicated cycling and walking path that draws both locals and visitors. Bicycle rental is available at several points along the route.

The best section runs past Guanyinshan Beach (观音山沙滩) and continues east to Zengcuo'an, a former fishing village that has been converted into a creative district of small cafes, art studios, and boutique shops in the whitewashed houses of the old village. The coastal path here is pleasant at any time of day but especially in the late afternoon when the light hits the water from the west. From Zengcuo'an, cycle paths continue around the eastern tip of the island.

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The stretch of Huandao Lu near Baicheng Beach faces Kinmen (Quemoy), a Taiwanese-administered island visible from the shore on a clear day. During the First Taiwan Strait Crisis in 1958, the People's Liberation Army shelled Kinmen from positions near this coast for 44 days straight. Today both sides operate ferry services between Xiamen and Kinmen.

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