Nanmen Bay: The Blue Sea Tears and Artistic Rebirth in "The Left Ear"
Rows of colorful, low-rise houses are scattered unevenly, at first glance making you think you've arrived at an Italian seaside town.
Nanmen Bay, located in Tongling Town, Dongshan County, Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province, is one of the seven crescent-shaped bays on Dongshan Island, about 3,000 meters long. This bay gained fame in 2015 when the film "The Left Ear," directed by Su Youpeng, was shot here, becoming a cultural landmark cherished by many film fans and tourists.
The date spot of Xu Yi and Bala, and the beach where Little Ear cried out in the film, is Nanmen Bay. The tears shed in youth have long been washed away by the sea, but the ever-changing breathtaking scenery remains unchanged.
1. Geographic Location: The Crescent Moon of Southern Fujian Sea
Nanmen Bay is located south of Tongling Town on Dongshan Island, shaped like a bright crescent moon. It borders Taiwan and lies in the southern part of the Minnan Golden Triangle, where the Minnan dialect is spoken, which is hard to understand, yet it hides the most beautiful sea views.
At both ends of the bay are Fisherman’s Wharf and Nanyu. The sea is wide, the water is blue and clear, and coral reefs surround the seabed, creating magnificent scenery. Along the seawall, there are rows of artistically styled colorful guesthouses.
2. Film Location: "The Left Ear" and the Artistic Label
In 2015, the youth film "The Left Ear" was released, featuring many scenes from Dongshan. The coastline, residences, and streets of Dongshan appeared on screen, showing more people the simple and fresh island scenery of Dongshan.
"The Left Ear" was Su Youpeng’s directorial debut, telling the youth stories of a group of young people with different personalities. Nearly 200 people came here for filming, which lasted about a month.
There were nearly 30 shooting locations in Dongshan, including Tongling Old Street (Ding Street) and the Nanmen Bay area.
3. Scenic Features: Colorful Fishing Village and Blue Sea and Sky
The most charming view of Nanmen Bay is the rows of colorful, low-rise houses scattered about, resembling an Italian seaside town. These houses are painted in various colors, full of nostalgic tones and a melancholic artistic atmosphere.
On one side is the blue sea, on the other, a quaint fishing village. The weathered marks on the walls blend with the fresh and artistic guesthouses, a collision of history and modernity that blooms with vibrant youthful energy.
The sand on Nanmen Bay’s beach is fine, and under the morning sun, every grain sparkles like gold. The white waves crash onto the shore, and when they recede, they spread over the soft sand like a woman’s wedding dress.
4. Cultural Atmosphere: The Tranquility and Innocence of Fishing Village Life
Nanmen Bay is free from the noise of the city, far from the hustle and bustle of traffic, offering only tranquility and innocence. Fishermen leave at dawn and return at dusk. At night, fishing boats of all sizes return to port, and a few people stroll along Nanmen Bay, chatting casually.
This place is full of a unique cultural atmosphere, not just for photo opportunities but also for the gentle feeling brought by the sea breeze brushing the face. It is a bay suitable for quietly listening alone.
5. Must-Do Experiences: Panoramic Views from the Seawall to the Rooftop
When visiting Nanmen Bay, don’t miss walking along the seawall to admire the colorful houses blending with the sea; climb the long stairway to the second floor of the Wengong Temple on the hilltop to overlook the entire Nanmen Bay.
Find the rooftop where Little Ear and Li Bala had their heart-to-heart talk in "The Left Ear," look out to the sea from a height, with the lively town below; and at the seaside of Nanmen Bay, there is a wall with Dongshan dialect writing, which attracts tourists’ interest.
6. Nearby Attractions: Nanyu and the Wind-Driven Rock
Near Nanmen Bay, Nanyu is a spot worth exploring, located between Nanmen Bay and Yunan Bay. At high tide, it becomes an island; at low tide, a sandy "corridor" appears, known as the "Angel’s Road" by visitors.
At the end of the path stands a green and white lighthouse, a landmark of Nanyu, quietly guiding ships at sea. In the film "Your Wedding," young Zhou Xiao Qi and his beloved You Yongci sat under this lighthouse, shouting out to the sea.
The Wind-Driven Rock Scenic Area is another important attraction on Dongshan Island, famous for its strange, dangerous, and suspended rocks, ranking first among more than 60 wind-driven rocks nationwide and known as the "World’s Most Unique Rock." The area also has a bustling Guan Di Temple, one of the five major Guan Di Temples in China.
7. Tourism Development and Environmental Challenges
With the release of "The Left Ear," Dongshan Island has become more widely known as a tourist destination. To facilitate visitors, Dongshan has installed signboards at each filming location. In 2018, Dongshan received 6.807 million tourists, a 5.78% increase, and it is expected to receive 7 million tourists in 2019.
However, Nanmen Bay faces environmental challenges. Some tourists have noticed trash floating along the shore, and local drivers explained that villagers directly dump garbage into the sea. This conflicts with the desire to develop tourism and requires local authorities to actively guide villagers to properly dispose of waste.
8. Best Time to Visit and Transportation
The best season to visit Nanmen Bay is autumn (around October), when the sun is mild and the sea breeze is gentle, making it the best time to enjoy the sea view.
Transportation: You can fly to Xiamen Gaoqi Airport, then transfer by high-speed train or taxi to Dongshan Island; or take a high-speed train to Zhangzhou or Xiamen, then transfer by bus to Dongshan Island.
At dusk, the Nanmen Bay seawall fills with visitors, "watching the sunset fade from brilliant to serene, from colorful to vast, the blue sea surface emitting a soft and charming glow like silk."
In the distance, faint lights begin to appear on fishing boats, like stars falling to earth. Nearby, the staggered ancient houses gradually light up warmly, "decorating the dense night with unparalleled gentleness."