Too Many People in Quanzhou, I Went to the Lesser-Known Neighboring City of Putian

While Quanzhou is submerged in crowds of "half-city bustle," neighboring Putian quietly preserves the most authentic appearance of Southern Fujian—here, national treasure-level ancient buildings are even more concentrated than in Quanzhou, the street food is so delicious you can't walk away, and even the air carries the leisurely essence of "old-time flavor." After a self-driving trip with my parents, I was completely captivated. Save this "zero social media filter" guide now! 🚆 Transportation Guide: Self-driving is the correct way to explore Putian - Main transportation: Direct high-speed train from Hangzhou to Putian Station (3.5 hours), rent a car upon arrival (280 yuan/day). With scattered attractions and narrow roads in the old town, self-driving is most flexible - Helpful Tips: Bring portable snacks like ready-to-eat eggs and chicken drumsticks to replenish energy during the drive. Parents will praise you for being "so thoughtful" 🏯 2-Day Old Town Tour: From Thousand-Year Temples to Vibrant Streets Day 1: Touch the Texture of Time - Nanshan Guanghua Temple + Shakyamuni Buddha Pagoda Entering Guanghua Temple, century-old camphor trees create a canopy, with red walls and golden tiles appearing and disappearing among the shadows. The Shakyamuni Buddha Pagoda to the left of the entrance is a must-see! The Song Dynasty stone pagoda is covered with lotus and flying apsaras carvings, even the bracket systems imitate wooden architectural details—artifact enthusiasts won't be able to move on. - Dongshan Bao'en Temple + Mazu Palace The domed hall of Bao'en Temple is breathtaking! The high-ceiling design allows sunlight to pour through skylights, creating poetic light and shadow effects on the caisson ceiling. The neighboring Mazu Palace with its Southern Fujian red walls and swallow-tail ridges is perfect for photos. My parents took 20 "been here" photos at this spot. - Oriental Twenty-five Kangs + Hanjiang Old District In the afternoon, head straight to the "Oriental Venice"! The 1920s red brick warehouse complex has a cinematic quality—using a telephoto lens to compress spatial depth makes every shot look like a scene from "The Bad Kids." Turn the corner into Hanjiang Old Street, where the sizzling sound from oil cake shops, the woody fragrance from bamboo craft stores, and elderly women selling "ma gao" in local dialect make you feel like you've fallen into a 1990s Southern Fujian documentary. Day 2: Exploring the Soul of the Old City - Xinghua Fu Historical and Cultural District Rush here early in the morning! Have a bowl of "Tianjiu Wang Qiang Meat" under the arcade—the sour bamboo shoot soup base with rice is good for two large bowls. Watch wood carving and gold repair crafts in the Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum. My parents spent time identifying 1980s street scenes on the "Old Putian Photo Wall." - Yuanmiao Temple Three Qing Hall A "pilgrimage site" for architecture enthusiasts! The Song Dynasty wooden hall's "reduced pillar" design is extraordinary—12 stone pillars support the entire hall. Though the colored paintings on the bracket systems have faded, you can still imagine its past splendor. I sat quietly inside for half an hour, listening to the wind passing through the latticed windows. - Xinghua Fu City God Temple Red walls and black tiles adorned with golden reliefs. In the incense-filled atmosphere, elderly women pray softly in Putian dialect—thousand-year-old beliefs hidden in everyday life. 🍜 Putian on the Tip of Your Tongue: Eat Until Full for 20 Yuan per Person - Tianjiu Wang Qiang Meat: A must-try intangible cultural heritage! Pork tenderloin coated with sweet potato starch is tender and flavorful, the soup is sour and appetizing, add a portion of noodles for a more authentic experience - Chen's Chunfeng Wonton: An "old brand" in Xitianwei Town, the wonton skin is thinner than paper, the meat filling is incredibly fresh, paired with a bowl of beef bone soup—perfect - Braised Noodle Uncle: Sweet and sour litchi pork isn't cloying, Putian braised noodles piled like a small mountain, soup base made from oysters, dried scallops, and mushrooms—so delicious it makes you stamp your feet 🏨 Accommodation Recommendation: A Warm Haven in the City Center - Yuhu Atour Hotel (348 yuan/night) Chosen for "convenience + thoughtfulness"! 10-minute walk to Xinghua Fu District, free parking, rooms equipped with health pots (super practical for making tea for parents). When the front desk heard we were traveling with elderly parents, they provided a map marking "accessible routes"—a delightful detail for the detail-oriented. 💡 Hidden Tips for Traveling with Parents - Slow down the pace: Arrange 2-3 main attractions per day + 1-hour lunch break. Alternate "culturally heavy" sites like Guanghua Temple and Three Qing Hall with street food exploration to avoid aesthetic fatigue - Outfit suggestions: Dress parents in light-colored clothes (looks great against red walls/ancient buildings), bring comfortable sneakers (old districts have many stone-paved roads) - Photography tips: Find arcade shadows in Hanjiang Old Street for photos, avoiding strong midday light; shoot upward under the Bao'en Temple dome for instant "architectural masterpieces" Putian's charm lies in the rustling sound of monks sweeping fallen leaves at Guanghua Temple, in the aroma of hot ma gao handed over by elderly women in Hanjiang, and in the thousand-year-old light filtering through the bracket gaps of Yuanmiao Temple. If you're tired of crowded tourist hotspots and want to show your parents "living history," this place is more worth visiting than Quanzhou.