Near the western coasts of Changhua, Fangyuan was formerly known as "Fanziwa", a town of oysters. People used to farm oysters on buffalos, and thus Fangyuan is famous for its "sea buffalo culture," a national intangible cultural asset. Farmers used to transport oysters on buffalo charts to markets. But today, most buffalos have been replaced by modern trucks. The buffalos and their masters now accompany visitors during intertidal tours.
Fangyuan's intertidal zones look rather dark, since muds from rivers mix with beach sands. Rich in organic elements, fish, shrimps, shells and crabs love finding food in the zones. This makes Fangyuan's intertidal-zone ecology highly diverse. The buffalo/oyster tours are only available at low-tidal hours. This makes ecological tourism in Fangyuan especially precious.
"Fishboats in Wanggong" was once hailed as one of Changhua's eight most beautiful views. Wanggong Coast also boasts diverse ecological scenery, such as waterbirds and mangrove forests, as well as a lighthouse. The county government is now improving Fangyuan's wetland mangrove forests and surroundings, so as to make a better use of the area's hiking trails. Moreover, Wanggong's oyster museum showcases creative oyster-shell art. It plays an important role in transforming Wanggong Fishery Port into a tourist attraction and an oyster-art base.
Although Fangyuan's shores are filled with dark sands and rocks, rather than the usual fine white sands, the area has much to offer for fans of ecological tourism. Many have visited Fangyuan for a special experience.