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| Where Was When I Meet the Moon Filmed? All Xiamen Shooting Locations. |
The 2026 Chinese romance drama When I Meet the Moon was primarily filmed in Xiamen, Fujian Province, China, a coastal city whose modern architecture, university surroundings and attractive waterfront scenery provide the perfect backdrop for its contemporary love story. Starring Lu Yuxiao and Lin Yi, the series brings together romantic encounters, university life and the demanding world of technological research, with its locations helping establish the atmosphere of the fictional city of Nanwu.
Filming officially began following the production's booting ceremony on 2 August 2025 and continued for several months before principal photography wrapped in November 2025. The series subsequently premiered on 5 November 2026, giving the production team time to complete its post-production work.
Although the production has identified Xiamen as its principal filming destination, not every individual property or street used during filming has been publicly identified. This is fairly understandable. Productions often keep certain location details private to avoid unwanted interruptions from enthusiastic fans while cameras are rolling. Consequently, the following guide explores the production's stated filming environments and the individual Xiamen destinations that make particularly interesting additions to a travel itinerary.
Xiamen Coastal Promenades and Waterfront Areas
Xiamen's coastline is one of the most recognisable features of its urban landscape. Its seaside roads, open walking spaces and waterfront scenery provide an appropriate visual setting for the romantic atmosphere of When I Meet the Moon. The series' contemporary setting benefits from these expansive outdoor environments, particularly when the story moves between the characters' everyday routines and more intimate moments.
One of the city's most recognisable coastal destinations is Huandao Road, a scenic route running along Xiamen Island. Its combination of sea views, landscaped walking areas and open coastal scenery makes it an attractive destination for visitors interested in exploring the kind of environment associated with the drama. The surrounding Huangcuo Beach area also offers a more relaxed seaside atmosphere, with sandy shores and expansive ocean views.
These destinations capture the coastal character that helps define Xiamen's visual identity. They are particularly appealing for travellers who enjoy leisurely walks, photography and spending an afternoon looking at the sea instead of pretending to be busy checking emails.
Xiamen University and Its Campus Surroundings
University life plays an important role in Yun Li's story, particularly during the period when she begins her postgraduate studies and attempts to become more independent. Campus environments, libraries, shaded pathways and outdoor seating areas help establish the everyday atmosphere surrounding her academic experience.
Xiamen University, one of the city's best-known educational institutions, is an interesting destination for visitors exploring this side of the drama's setting. Its attractive campus architecture, landscaped grounds and established academic atmosphere offer a glimpse of university life in the coastal city.
The university's famous Furong Lake is another particularly attractive destination. Surrounded by greenery and campus buildings, the lake provides a peaceful setting for a leisurely walk. The nearby Furong Tunnel, known for its colourful student artwork, adds another distinctive feature to the university experience.
For fans interested in the youthful university atmosphere associated with Yun Li's storyline, this part of Xiamen deserves a place on the travel itinerary. Just remember that educational facilities can have visitor restrictions, so checking access arrangements before travelling is sensible.
Xiamen Software Park and Technological Business Districts
Fu Shize's professional life introduces a completely different visual environment. As a highly accomplished scientific researcher working in virtual reality development, his storyline requires a setting that feels modern, organised and technologically advanced.
Xiamen's technology and business districts provide an appropriate urban backdrop for this part of the series. In particular, Xiamen Software Park Phase III, located in the city's Jimei District, represents the modern commercial and technological development associated with the city's growing business environment.
The district features contemporary office buildings and commercial facilities, making it an interesting destination for visitors curious about Xiamen's modern architectural landscape. Its surroundings offer a noticeable contrast to the traditional coastal scenery and university environments that feature in the drama's broader visual identity.
Another destination worth exploring is Wuyuan Bay, an area recognised for its modern waterfront developments, open spaces and contemporary architecture. Its combination of commercial buildings and coastal scenery reflects the contrast between the characters' professional ambitions and their personal lives.
The technology-focused environments are particularly important to the series because Fu Shize's career is not simply a background detail. His work forms a substantial part of his identity, and the modern urban setting helps communicate that side of his character.
Shapowei Art Zone
Xiamen is not all glass buildings, research facilities and carefully organised business districts. The city also has creative neighbourhoods that offer a more relaxed and colourful atmosphere.
Shapowei Art Zone is one of the most distinctive places to explore. Located in the southern part of Xiamen Island, the area combines traditional harbour surroundings with creative spaces, independent shops, cafés and artistic installations.
Its character is considerably different from the polished technological environments associated with Fu Shize's professional life. The neighbourhood's older buildings and creative atmosphere provide an appealing contrast to the modern commercial districts.
For visitors interested in the everyday urban atmosphere of contemporary Chinese cities, Shapowei offers plenty to explore. It is also an excellent place to spend an afternoon taking photographs, discovering small businesses and enjoying a slower pace after visiting the city's busier attractions.
Zengcuo'an
Another interesting destination is Zengcuo'an, a coastal village on Xiamen Island that has developed into a popular destination for visitors.
The area is known for its narrow streets, traditional architectural details, small shops, cafés and food stalls. Its atmosphere is considerably more relaxed than the city's major commercial districts, making it an appealing contrast to the modern environments associated with When I Meet the Moon.
Zengcuo'an is particularly enjoyable for visitors who prefer exploring neighbourhoods rather than spending an entire holiday moving between major tourist attractions. Its combination of local character and visitor-friendly facilities also makes it an interesting place to discover Xiamen's food and shopping culture.
For anyone planning a trip inspired by the drama, this destination provides another opportunity to experience the coastal city's more traditional side.
Xiamen's Residential Neighbourhoods and Interior Settings
The domestic environments in When I Meet the Moon help establish the differences between Yun Li and Fu Shize. Their homes and personal spaces reflect their contrasting personalities, relationships and experiences throughout the story.
Unlike outdoor filming environments, residential scenes and private interiors often require a different production approach. The series uses a combination of residential settings and controlled indoor soundstage environments to create its apartments, family homes and professional facilities.
The shared accommodation associated with Yun Li's university life, for example, requires a more intimate atmosphere, while Fu Shize's private living space reflects his reserved personality. These interiors are important to the visual storytelling because the characters' relationships develop through everyday conversations and personal experiences as much as through major romantic moments.
Xiamen International Cruise Center and the Waterfront District
Another destination worth adding to an Xiamen itinerary is Xiamen International Cruise Center, which offers a different perspective on the city's relationship with the sea.
The surrounding waterfront district features modern transport infrastructure, expansive views and contemporary urban development. It provides an interesting contrast to the older harbour atmosphere of Shapowei and the more relaxed coastal character of Zengcuo'an.
Although the series' supplied production information does not identify this individual facility as a filming address, it is a worthwhile destination for visitors interested in exploring the modern coastal environment associated with Xiamen.
My Opinion: Xiamen Is a Great Match for When I Meet the Moon
Xiamen is an interesting choice for a romance drama because it offers several different visual environments without requiring the production to move between completely different cities. Its coastal scenery provides a naturally romantic atmosphere, while its university surroundings and modern business districts give the story a believable contemporary setting. I particularly like the contrast between the peaceful seaside environments and the more structured technological districts associated with Fu Shize's professional life.
That contrast reflects the differences between the two central characters without making every scene look as though it belongs on a holiday postcard. For viewers, the appeal goes beyond simply recognising attractive scenery. Exploring Xiamen would also offer an opportunity to experience the city's architecture, food, university culture and waterfront attractions. Of course, travelling to every location would be considerably easier if fictional characters came with a personal tour guide. Unfortunately, that is not part of the package.
When I Meet the Moon demonstrates how an appealing city backdrop can contribute to the atmosphere of a contemporary romance. From Xiamen's coastal scenery and university surroundings to its modern technological districts, the city offers plenty of interesting destinations for fans who enjoy discovering the real-world environments behind their favourite dramas.
As more individual filming addresses become publicly available, this guide can be updated with additional location details. For now, Xiamen remains the central destination for anyone hoping to explore the scenery associated with the series.
Would you add Xiamen to your travel bucket list after watching When I Meet the Moon? Which destination would you most like to explore first: the coastal scenery, the university surroundings or the modern city districts? Share your thoughts and let us know which other filming locations you would like us to investigate next!