As dusk falls, the lights of Chongwu Ancient Ferry Wharf come on, and the magnificent sunset, the boundless sea, and the dreamlike wharf create a breathtaking scene, attracting tourists to take photos and "check in." The ancient wharf relics, steeped in history, blend seamlessly with the trendy and fashionable seaside landscape, while the seaside boardwalk is organically integrated with art spaces and leisure consumption areas. In recent years, this ancient ferry wharf located in Chongwu Town, Huian County, Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, has become a popular destination for "micro-vacations."

Chongwu Ancient Ferry, nestled against the ancient city of Chongwu with over 600 years of history and facing the vast East China Sea, has historically been an important coastal commercial and fishing hub in southern Fujian. The ferry, bustling with boats and merchants, witnessed the development of Huian's marine fisheries and the evolution of maritime trade, accumulating a rich maritime and fishing port culture. However, with the development of the times and the upgrading of port transportation functions, the traditional old wharf has gradually faded from history.

"Long-term neglect has left the 30-plus-acre ferry terminal with its dilapidated and abandoned facilities, turning it into a 'blank wasteland' on the edge of the city," said Wu Zhewei, general manager of Quanzhou Juruo Industrial Park Management Co., Ltd. Starting in 2023, Huian County, in conjunction with Fujian Quanyun Industrial Group Co., Ltd. and Quanzhou Juruo Cultural Investment Co., Ltd., launched a renovation and upgrading project for the ancient ferry terminal. Adhering to the core concept of "restoring the old as it was and revitalizing its use," and using an "industrial heritage + cultural tourism innovation" development model, the project aims to preserve the historical fabric while incorporating new business formats, new scenes, and new experiences to create a coastal cultural tourism "must-visit" destination.

"By catering to tourists' needs for 'micro-vacations' and light leisure activities, we have created a wharf-themed cultural and creative complex that integrates art galleries, seaside cafes, rooftop leisure areas, outdoor 'check-in' bases, family parks, designer homestays, and seaside libraries," said Wu Zhewei. He added that the renovation fully preserved 13 industrial relics from the original wharf, including gantry cranes, old warehouses, and mooring rocks, thus preserving the historical imprint of the old wharf to the greatest extent possible.

Stepping into the Chongwu Ancient Ferry Wharf Scenic Area today, the former office buildings have been transformed into seaside guesthouses with blue tiles and white walls, warehouses into cafes, restaurants, and markets, and the wharf itself into a popular spot for travel photography. The park features a canopy camping area, a petting zoo, a seaside library, and an art gallery, integrating Minnan maritime culture and ancient town commercial culture, blending local history with modern fashion trends. In 2025, it received over 150,000 visitors.

"Chongwu Ancient Ferry Wharf has also become an industrial fulcrum for increasing the income of the surrounding people and empowering rural revitalization." He Haiyan, deputy director of the Huian County Tourism Development Center, introduced that after the project was launched and put into operation, it regularly carries out activities such as art exhibitions, seaside cultural and creative markets, and marine culture experiences. The annual rental income of the ancient ferry wharf site has continued to increase, giving rise to more than 20 characteristic homestays and more than 10 seaside characteristic restaurants, and continuously driving local employment.

"We will further explore the rich cultural heritage of Southern Fujian, connect surrounding cultural and tourism resources such as Chongwu Ancient City and Hui Women's Folk Culture Park, and create a high-quality coastal cultural and tourism loop that integrates the entire region. This will enrich the local coastal cultural and tourism offerings and consumption scenarios, providing tourists with a better cultural experience," said He Haiyan. (Source: Xinhua News Agency)