Xiamen tourists participate in Kinmen beach cleanup for a unique island travel experience

Employees of Xiamen’s China New Sky International Exhibition Enterprise Company stride toward the beach under the guidance of Kinmen County Fisheries Research Institute. (Photo by Li Jinsheng)

Come on, everyone—roll up your pants and step into Guiningtou’s oyster fields to see the “Marine Terracotta Army.” (Photo by Li Jinsheng)

Walking through Guiningtou’s oyster fields felt incredibly fresh to the Xiamen tourists. (Photo by Li Jinsheng)

Of course, you can’t miss the authentic and delicious oyster feast. (Photo by Li Jinsheng)

Employees of Xiamen’s China New Sky International Exhibition Enterprise Company enjoy a local oyster meal at Beishan Ancestral Hall in Guiningtou, Kinmen. (Photo by Li Jinsheng)

Wu Chengdian (right), deputy magistrate of Kinmen, presents completion certificates to the Xiamen tourists who participated in the experience. (Photo by Li Jinsheng)

A group of 87 employees from Xiamen’s China New Sky International Exhibition Enterprise Company visited Kinmen today (27th). Guided by staff from Kinmen County Fisheries Research Institute, they ventured into the 430-year-old oyster fields of Beishan in Guiningtou to witness the spectacular seascape of the “Marine Terracotta Army.” They also picked up trash drifting from across the strait at Beishan’s estuary. Under the warm winter sun, they enjoyed a unique overseas holiday unlike any other.

China New Sky International Exhibition is the largest organizer of overseas stone exhibitions in mainland China, with employees spread across major first- and second-tier coastal cities such as Fuzhou, Shanghai, and Xiamen. The 87 employees from Xiamen traveled to Kinmen via the “mini three links,” embarking on a 3-day, 2-night “fishing village workation.” Different from typical group or independent travel, this new mode of tourism left everyone feeling refreshed.

In the morning, under the guidance of Fisheries Research Institute staff, the group split into two teams. One team stepped into the Guiningtou oyster fields to experience firsthand the challenging life of oyster farmers harvesting oysters in the cold wind—a true case of “every grain hard-earned.” The other team walked along the beach at Beishan estuary, bending down to collect marine debris drifting from across the strait.

These mainland “tourists,” walking together through the muddy tidal flats in a truly unique experience, were thrilled to stand alongside the legendary “Marine Terracotta Army”—the oyster stakes standing tall in the sea. Learning that this was once a battleground during the intense “Battle of Guiningtou” between the Communists and Nationalists, they joyfully remarked, “It’s great that cross-strait peace allows us to come here on vacation.”

Kinmen receives 500 metric tons of marine debris drifting from across the strait every year. The concept of “trash mini three links” between the two sides also amazed these visitors. Everyone carefully collected trash of all sizes, sorting them under the guidance of Fisheries Research Institute staff, restoring the beach to its pristine beauty. They also took photos on their phones to document their moment of “protecting the Earth through eco-action” in Kinmen.

Visiting this famous traditional settlement on Kinmen Island, indulging in delicious local cuisine was a must. Savoring the mouthwatering and authentic stone oyster meal brought great satisfaction and joy. Walking past the red-brick and gray-walled buildings marked by bullet holes and war, this new-style tourism package combining sightseeing, real-life experiences, and marine education left these Xiamen corporate tourists from across the water with a truly special island experience in Kinmen.