Let's go to the beach together this summer, Quanzhou

Quanzhou, an ancient city named one of the "Best Places to Travel" by Lonely Planet, was the "Number One Port in the East" during the Song and Yuan dynasties. It still preserves over 40 national cultural heritage sites and authentic Southern Fujian flavors. In 2025, Quanzhou will showcase "Song-Yuan Commercial Capital and Culinary Feast" as its theme, blending digital technology with traditional intangible heritage to offer visitors an immersive experience of the thousand-year-old Maritime Silk Road culture. Whether strolling down West Street sampling Four Fruit Soup or climbing Qingyuan Mountain to overlook the magnificent view of red brick houses meeting the East China Sea, Quanzhou lets you experience its unique charm of "half earthly delights, half heavenly beauty." 📅 Best Time to Visit - Spring and Fall (March-May, September-November): Pleasant weather, ideal for outdoor attractions like Qingyuan Mountain and Chongwu Ancient Town. - Winter (December-February): Colder, but perfect for experiencing traditional Southern Fujian festivals like Chinese New Year and Lantern Festival. - Summer (June-August): Hot and rainy, but suitable for cooling off at Niumulin or enjoying beach activities. 🏛️ Must-Visit Attractions 1. Kaiyuan Temple (Free, reservation required) - Quanzhou landmark with thousand-year-old East and West Pagodas (Zhenguo and Renshou). In 2025, the new "Digital Kaiyuan" AR exhibition will bring Song dynasty flying musicians to "life." - Tip: Enter at 8 AM; the red wall "Purple Cloud Screen" is a perfect photo spot. 2. Qingyuan Mountain (Entrance fee: 70 yuan, half-price for students) - Taoist sacred site featuring Laojun Rock Statue (China's largest Taoist stone carving) with earlobes large enough for children to sit on, symbolizing "big ears bring blessings." - Recommended route: Hike from "Thousand Hands Rock" to Tianhu Lake for panoramic views of Quanzhou. 3. Luoyang Bridge (Free) - One of China's four famous ancient bridges. In 2025, visitors can experience "Oyster Bridge Protection" to observe the Song dynasty "oyster planting foundation" technique. 4. Chupu Village (Hairpin experience: 40 yuan/set) - Living exhibition of fishing village culture. Try on traditional "flower hairpin" headpieces for movie-quality photos like actress Zhao Liying. 5. Wudian Market (Free) - Red brick ancient building complex. In 2025, new "Intangible Heritage Workshops" will offer Nanyin music lessons and Gaojia Opera face painting. 🍜 Quanzhou Cuisine - Mian Xian Hu (12 yuan/bowl): Aqiu's version features sweet pork bone broth; recommended with vinegar meat and intestines. - Four Fruit Soup (18 yuan/serving): Bingzheng Hall's seaweed jelly with watermelon and agar is refreshingly cool. - Runbing (5 yuan each): Seasonal Qingming Festival food with thin pancakes wrapped around carrot strips, seaweed, and fried dough sticks. - Ginger Mother Duck: Rich ginger flavor with tender duck meat, a local favorite for hosting guests. - Oyster Omelet: Plump oysters with sweet and spicy sauce, deliciously savory. 🚗 Transportation Guide - By Air: Jinjiang International Airport, 30-minute taxi ride to downtown (about 50 yuan). - By High-Speed Rail: Quanzhou Station is most convenient; take K1 bus for a 15-minute ride to West Street. - City Transportation: Recommended "Xiaobai" tourist buses (2 yuan/trip) with customizable routes. 🏨 Accommodation Recommendations - Licheng District: Near Kaiyuan Temple and West Street, perfect for experiencing the ancient city atmosphere. - Fengze District: Modern commercial area with convenient transportation. - Jinjiang: Close to the airport, suitable for seaside vacations. 🎭 Intangible Heritage Experiences - Puppet Shows: Free performances every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday (Tongzheng Lane, West Street). - Nanyin Music: Jinyu Lane Nanyin Pavilion offers 4 public performances weekly. - Chupu Hairpin Experience: 40 yuan/set, perfect for photos with traditional fishing village costumes. 📌 Practical Tips - Dialect: Learn a few Hokkien phrases like "delicious" (hou-kah) and "beautiful woman" (sui-cha-bou). - Pitfalls: Avoid driving on West Street (traffic jams); dress modestly at Qingqing Temple (no short skirts). - Shopping: Bargain at Shishi Market; compare prices on Houcheng Street. The beauty of Quanzhou isn't about rushing through attractions, but slowly savoring the Nanyin music drifting from ancient houses and the Runbing handed to you by a grandmother at the alley entrance. Save this guide and you won't get lost exploring Quanzhou in 2025!