Is Shapowei Wind Shelter fun when traveling to Xiamen?

Xiamen, described in the travel guide, is a city full of literary and artistic atmosphere. In the streets and alleys of this city, fresh literary and artistic embellishments can be seen everywhere. It seems that everything is developing in the direction of literature and art, so the only safe haven in Xiamen Island has also embarked on a literary and artistic path.

Here is Shapowei, the last safe haven in Xiamen. The loneliness of urban development, the nostalgia of nowhere

Shapowei is hidden behind the old arcade street of Xuexue Road. The entrances and exits of several small alleys are very inconspicuous, and it is easy to miss it. The only bus stops to get here are Xiamen University and the National Art Museum of China. Surrounded by modern cities, Shapowei is as lonely as the worldly world despite the constant flow of people around it.

The history of Shapowei Haven can be traced back to before the Ming Dynasty. Shapowei was once the birthplace of Xiamen and the cradle of the city. The fishing boats moored in the harbor and the fishermen who have lived on the fishing boats for generations are the longest and most authentic memory of this city.

Now, with the development of the city, Shapowei’s mission as a wind shelter has come to an end. All the fishing boats have been cleared, all the fishermen have been moved to land, and the cultural core of a city is slowly being cleared away. Fortunately, there is no shortage of young people with sentiments. They have realized that their homesickness is being erased and are trying their best to restore the culture that truly belongs to this city.

From nostalgia to a safe haven for literature and art

Although the fishing boats in the water have been cleared away, the old houses on the shore have not been demolished. The opinions of the people have been respected and are widely used throughout the country. Among urban reconstruction projects in various places, Xiamen’s approach is worthy of praise. Otherwise, we will only see a tourist area full of commercial atmosphere, with a shiny shell but no soul of cultural core.

Although today’s Shapowei no longer has the atmosphere of life in the past, and there are no fishing nets, fishing boats, or fishermen selling seafood, but after some cleaning, it looks like It feels much more refreshing and has embarked on a path of literary and artistic retrospection. Just like the city of Xiamen, it has been labeled with a literary and artistic freshness.

More and more young people are choosing to open shops and start businesses here, reinjecting new vitality into this ancient haven. They decorate every detail carefully and run their own shop with heart, which can be regarded as a kind of care for this ancient neighborhood.

When one day, it is very pleasant to return to this familiar place, drink a cup of quiet afternoon tea, and recall the warmth of the old days.

Young choice, the intersection of life and art

One side is life, the other side is art.

On the other side of Shapowei Harbor is a rising art district. The location of the art district was originally a cold storage. The participation and renovation of young people made this cold storage no longer cold and full of enthusiasm.

Perhaps it inherits the low-key characteristics of Shapowei, the appearance here does not have too many decorations. Gray is the simplest primary color of concrete, and the walls are simply white. Although it is not as brilliant as other art areas, it is still full of personality.

I originally thought that the intertwined steel wires and the rings on the wall were just decorations in the art area. When I took a closer look, I realized that these were wires in the art district. The rings on the wall were all lighting lamps, which would emit brilliant light at night.

The neighborhood contains many artistic elements. Various studios such as sculpture, painting, photography, ceramics, etc. are blooming here with their own brilliance. Every night, there are various trendy elements such as roller skating, live music, etc. It can be said that this is the most suitable place of exile for people who love trends and art.

Art, of course, cannot be lacking in delicious food. Food is probably people’s favorite and most acceptable art. In this artistic district, there are many creative food shops that can definitely satisfy the pursuit of foodies.

The rebirth of old neighborhoods

The city needs development, and the transformation of Shapowei is inevitable.

Close to Xiamen University and Yanwu Bridge, it seems that Shapowei has excellent potential to become a popular tourist destination. Will this be the next Gulangyu Island? Be the next Zeng Cuo'an?

Perhaps in the near future, Shapowei will no longer be lonely, but will become more and more lively and noisy. Perhaps with the efforts of these young people, Shapowei can develop in a more benign direction. Just like what is written on this slogan, what is in front of Shapowei? More people need to work hard to achieve it.

I sincerely hope that Shapotei can retain the cultural core of the cradle of Xiamen and not lose itself in the torrent of urban development.

I hope Shapowei will always be Shapowei.

Traveler-Non-Indigenous