"Liu'ao Abstract Art Gallery"

Various tourist traps: sand sculpture park, "ice world", "legendary animals park", all right next to the beach on the Ao Bay. While actively advertised, it probably is not worth the admission for most visitors.

In the late 14th century, during the reign of the Ming Dynasty founder the Hongwu Emperor, a number of fortified towns were constructed along China's southeastern coast to defend the country from pirates (wokou). One of them was located on the slope of a hill a bit inland from today's Liu'ao Town. However, unlike the well-preserved (or extensively restored) towns such as Chongwu or Pucheng (in Cangnan County, south of Wenzhou), little of the Ming fortifications remain to be seen in Liu'ao. A small section of the fortress wall (which looks more like a retaining wall) with one gate has been restored (or, rather, built anew); people come to admire ancient (300-year-old, supposedly) banyan trees growing nearby, take a look at some brand-new temples, and admire the views of a well-preserved traditional neighborhood below, with its characteristic gabled roofs.
Beyond the "Old Fortress", such as there is, an extensive system of trails climbs to the top of the hill. There one can see fortifications of a different kind: a system of tunnels, pillboxes, etc constructed by the People's Liberation Army a few decades ago, and decommissioned later. This may have been associated with the confrontation with the Nationalists, who are in control of Taiwan and Kinmen. While much less extensive than what can be seen on Kinmen, the skilled use of the natural rocks of the mountain in combination with concrete is impressive. Although most of the deeper parts of the tunnel system have been blocked by concrete dams, some of the sections closer to the entrances can be explored by visitors. Bring a flashlight if you intend to do so.

Most of the famous Fujan Tulou are located a fairly long distance from the coast, in Yongding and Nanjing Counties. However, a few are located in the southern Zhangpu County, an easy day trip from Liu'ao or a short detour on the way to the peninsula, and a true tulou aficionado would not want to miss them. Jinjiang Lou, a large "three-ring tulou", is easily accessible from the Provincial Hwy 201 (S201) west of Shentu Town. Unlike the better known tulous of Fujian's inland counties, which are built mostly of adobe on a foundation of boulders, Jinjiang Lou is a combination structure: its lower part is built of long granite blocks, widely used in the coastal counties' vernacular architecture. Surrounding Jinjiang Lou are many traditional gabled houses, also built out of a combination of granite blocks and adobe.
Jinjiang Lou is home to a number families; please be respectful to the residents.

This round tulou can be visited on the way to the better known Jinjiang Lou. It may not be well sign posted; you may first identify it with Google Maps satellite view. Unlike Jinjiang Lou, Rui'an Lou has no residents living in it. In fact, it had all its wooden parts and the roof removed, with just the round shell standing. A typical inland-Fujian tulou in this condition would have soon fallen apart due to erosion caused by rain. But this round structure built out of a combination of granite and, perhaps, somewhat tougher adobe than used in the interior, endures, like a small Coliseum. Some cracks have appeared though; it is not clear what the authorities and weather are going to do to it (it apparently had some parts renovated), so visit it while it's still standing in its present condition!

A somewhat renovated and cleaned up neighborhood of traditional local gabled homes. Although not a destination in its own right - you can see many such buildings elsewhere in the region - it is only a short detour off X523, and the road to it is well signed. Please be respectful to the residents.

Watch for the sign that says, in Chinese and English, "皮定军将军陵园 General Pi Dingjun Cemetery / (八卦堡) Bagua Castle" on Hwy S201 west of Shentu Town (around the 800 km marker, and just a couple blocks east of the turnoff for Jinjiang Village / Jinjiang Lou, above). Follow a steep winding road north for about 5 km until you see a small parking lot and a statue of the general.
Lt. General Pi Dingjun, apparently a figure of some renown in PLA's history, died in 1976 when his helicopter flew into a mountain near Dongping Village. He (and everybody aboard) is commemorated by a memorial complex constructed mostly in a cultural revolution style, combined with a traditional coastal Fujian turlteback tomb. Most of the complex is right next to the parking lot, but there is a long stairway up the mountain, built out of the local granite (to last for centuries!), to the actual site of the crash. Unfortunately, your climb will not be rewarded by a particularly great view, since the view from that point is mostly blocked by rocks and trees.
The 5-km uphill trip may not be worth it unless you are a military history fan (or an air disaster fan?), but views from the road are pretty good. The visit can be combined with visiting the Bagua Fortress.