Departing from Lishui, 2 people spend 3 days wildly exploring Zhangzhou! Less than 1500 per person, tasting all the traditional Minnan flavors

Departing from Lishui, 2 people spend 3 days wildly exploring Zhangzhou! Less than 1500 per person, tasting all the traditional Minnan flavors, and discovering a lesser-known island so beautiful it leaves you speechless. “Did we accidentally step into a 1990s Fujian old movie?” Sitting on the cross-sea bridge heading to Dongshan Island, I looked out at the brilliantly blue sea and couldn’t help but ask my bestie. Starting from Lishui, with high-speed train + bullet train in 4 hours, two people, a budget of 3000 yuan, we spent three days in Zhangzhou—visiting the ancient city, walking on fine sand, chasing sunsets, slurping shacha noodles, eating and playing with clear expenses. The key point: only 1468 yuan per person, and we even brought back a box of handmade pineapple cakes! Don’t rush, I’ll carefully type out this “budget-friendly and heartfelt” real Zhangzhou travel guide word by word. Travel Info | Transportation Arrangements (Total cost: ¥840): Direct high-speed train G-series from Lishui to Zhangzhou, second-class seat ¥217/person × 2 = ¥434 (one way), round trip ¥868, but we grabbed platform coupons and actually paid ¥840. For city transport, taxi from Zhangzhou Station to the ancient city cost ¥25. On the second day, we rented electric scooters to circle Dongshan Island, ¥60/day × 2 days = ¥120, ferry to the island ¥16/person round trip × 2 = ¥32. Tip: When buying tickets, choose “Zhangzhou Station” not “Zhangzhou East” to avoid getting off at the wrong station! Itinerary | Three days to fully explore the highlights Day 1: Zhangzhou Ancient City, a bowl of shacha noodles takes you back to Minnan childhood Check-in spots: Zhangzhou Ancient City, Confucius Temple Square, Taiwan Road old arcade buildings. As soon as we entered the city, the aroma of “shacha noodles” filled the streets. We found an old shop hidden in an alley—“Afang Braised Noodles,” but the owner said, “We only sell shacha noodles, passed down for three generations.” A steaming bowl was served: alkaline noodles + pork liver + fish balls + bean sprouts + secret shacha soup base, only ¥12! I slurped the first bite and widened my eyes: “This flavor is even more addictive than my grandma’s!” In the afternoon, we strolled the ancient city—red brick arcades, carved window frames, old tailor shops… every snap was a vintage masterpiece. At the “Intangible Cultural Heritage Paper Cutting Shop,” we spent ¥30 to have the master craftsman cut portraits of the two of us as souvenirs for our parents, who were overjoyed. At night, we stayed in the artsy guesthouse “Nanshe” next to the ancient city, tatami room with a courtyard, ¥268/night, two nights ¥536, including breakfast! Day 2: Dongshan Island hike, exploring China’s most beautiful bay Check-in spots: Nanmen Bay, Sufeng Mountain coastal road, Jinluan Bay beach. At 7 a.m., we took the ferry to Dongshan Island; the sea breeze instantly woke us up. First stop was Nanmen Bay—colorful houses stacked layer upon layer, reflected on the calm sea, like a seaside town from a Studio Ghibli animation. We rented electric scooters and rode along the Sufeng Mountain coastal road, blue bridge arches, cliff viewing platforms, unbeatable sea views—every turn made us scream with excitement. For lunch at a fishing village stall: stir-fried baby squid with chives, steamed grouper, oyster omelet, four dishes and a soup for only ¥158! The owner was generous: “You’re from out of town, here’s a bowl of sea clams on the house!” In the afternoon, we walked on Jinluan Bay’s sand, fine and soft like powder, barefoot walking for half an hour felt effortless. At sunset, we sat side by side watching fishing boats return to port, saying nothing but feeling completely fulfilled. Day 3: Volcano Island chill + last-minute shopping Our last stop was the popular Zhangzhou Coastal Volcano National Geopark, but honestly—the ticket ¥90/person was a bit pricey, and the photo spots were crowded, not as refreshing as the wild vibe of the previous days. But we found a free wild beach nearby! Black volcanic rocks + turquoise water, perfect for “post-apocalyptic island” style photos, got tons of likes on social media. Before heading back at noon, we went on a shopping spree for local specialties: handmade mung bean cakes ¥25/box (buy three get one free), original dried banana ¥18/bag, vacuum-packed five-spice rolls ¥30/bag, total ¥136, filling two tote bags. At 2 p.m., we took the bullet train back. Hungry on the train, I pulled out the freshly bought roasted meat zongzi and took a bite—savory, oily, sticky glutinous rice, happiness made me squint my eyes. Total Expense List (for two people) Items and Costs: Round-trip bullet train ¥840, guesthouse accommodation ¥536, meals ¥420, electric scooter rental + ferry ¥182, tickets ¥180, local specialties ¥136, miscellaneous taxis ¥30, total ¥2324. Leftover ¥676, meaning each person had over 300 yuan left in their pocket to take home! Useful Tips, Pitfalls + Extras: Don’t buy “dried seafood” at scenic spots’ entrances, most are swapped goods; local markets are more reliable. Want the most authentic snacks? Go to “Xinjiang Night Market” or “Qingnian Road Snack Street,” where shacha noodles, four-fruit soup, oyster omelets are all available. Never trust “low-price one-day tour groups” that claim to include pick-up and drop-off—they actually take you to shopping spots for brainwashing. Must-eat list: shacha noodles, roasted meat zongzi, oyster omelet, four-fruit soup, tubeworm jelly (for the brave)! After three days, we felt like we’d been washed anew by Minnan’s vibrant life. No influencer filters, just the real salty sea breeze, grandma handing you iced mung bean soup, and the shacha noodle stall lighting up for you at 5 a.m. If you’re tired of check-in style tourism, come to Zhangzhou. Here, slowing down lets you taste the sweetness of life.