Encountering the Most Authentic Minnan Culture in Quanzhou

A trip to Fujian has always been a romantic anticipation for me. Taking advantage of spring, I finally set foot on this long-awaited land and embarked on a four-day, three-night journey to Fuzhou and Quanzhou. The entire trip was full of surprises, with every scenic spot and experience becoming an unforgettable memory. Initially, I planned to spend all four days in Fuzhou. However, after accidentally seeing photos of Quanzhou shared by others - those alleys filled with Minnan charm and classical architecture immediately captivated me. I desperately wanted to experience the unique cultural atmosphere of the Minnan region firsthand. So, I made a quick decision two days before departure to change my itinerary and rebook hotels, diving straight into Quanzhou's embrace. Due to the rushed planning, I didn't have time to create a detailed travel guide and chose a guesthouse near Kaiyuan Temple, thinking it would be convenient. However, after two days of exploration, I realized that staying near the Clock Tower would have been the best choice when considering the distances between various attractions. During my two days in Quanzhou, I strolled through the ancient city and visited several renowned temples. At that moment, I deeply understood the elegance of the phrase "half city of earthly life, half city of divinity." The streets were filled with the atmosphere of daily life, while the temples exuded a sacred aura of peace and tranquility. Whether it's the depth of historical culture or the breadth of urban features, Quanzhou's ancient city is like a treasure trove, worthy of another visit to explore and savor slowly. For my food adventure, I relied entirely on the Renzai app. I must say, Quanzhou's cuisine perfectly suited my taste! The seafood was so fresh it seemed to carry the ocean's vibrant energy, absolutely delicious with every bite. The beef short ribs were grilled to perfection, bursting with juices when bitten into. The satay hot pot was particularly unique, with its rich satay flavor spreading across the taste buds, each mouthful a delightful surprise. Before leaving, I accidentally wandered into Huaqiao New Village and discovered an amazing tea shop. I ordered a roasted tea cheese cake - its delicate texture and subtle tea fragrance, combined with the shop's first-class ambiance, led me to leisurely linger there for an hour before heading to the high-speed rail station contentedly. This visit to Quanzhou wasn't during a holiday, so there weren't many tourists, making the entire travel experience absolutely wonderful. Though I'm not sure when I'll be able to travel on a working day again, Quanzhou's beauty has left a deep impression in my heart. Until we meet again, Quanzhou - I'm sure you'll bring me even more surprises!