Just got back from Quanzhou! Here's my advice to help you avoid the tourist traps.

🌟 [Itinerary: How to Have Fun Without Regrets] ✨ Old Town Stroll: Authentic Local Life is the Main Theme • West Street Morning Market: Don't trust the online "influencer shops"! Follow the local grandmas buying groceries, and the unnamed shops in the alleys are the real gems 👵💨! Freshly ground soy milk with fried dough sticks is so good you'll want to dance 🥛. Remember to buy the freshly baked garlic breadsticks; they're so crispy they crumble, but be careful, they're sticky! • Zhongshan Road in the Afternoon: Don't crowd together to take photos of the Nanyang-style arcade buildings! Find a second-floor corridor with stained glass and shoot a panoramic view of the street from above. You can avoid the crowds and still get a cinematic shot 🎬! If you're thirsty, buy a cup of Four Fruit Soup. Remember to ask the vendor to add more seaweed jelly for an incredibly refreshing treat 🍧! • Xinmen Street Night Market: Don't go to the crowded main square at night! The cultural and creative market on Xinmen Street has a better atmosphere, with handmade jewelry and street bands 🎸. Buy a string of Min Jiang Cakes to eat while you stroll; the brown sugar flavor will sweeten your heart. 🌊 Seaside Experience: Floral Hairpin Photos + Sunset Romance • Xunpu Village Floral Hairpins: Don't go to the first shop at the entrance of the village! Walk 50 meters further into the village, and the aunties will be more enthusiastic and have more clothing styles 🌸. Don't be greedy when choosing flowers; 3–4 flowers of the same color family will look best in photos! Remember to wait for low tide when taking photos of the fishing boats; the small crabs on the mudflats will steal the show 🦀! • Luoyang Bridge Sunset: Don't believe the "best viewing spot"! Just find a rock to sit on by the bridge and watch the egrets fly over the mangroves 🕊️. When the tide goes out, a large mudflat will be exposed under the bridge, which is great for taking silhouette photos. Remember to bring a light jacket; it can be a bit cool with the sea breeze. 🍽️ [Food Guide: Local's Secret List] ✅ Must-Eat List: • Mee Sua Soup: Adding vinegar-braised pork and fried dough sticks is a must! Choose a soup base made with pork bones; it should be thick and authentic. Remember to ask the vendor to use less salt; Fujian flavors are on the lighter side. • Rice Dumplings: The combination of peanut butter and braised egg is amazing! Glutinous rice wrapped in layers of fatty and lean pork, dipped in sweet and spicy sauce to instantly cut through the richness. One is enough to fill you up, so be careful not to order too many. • Tusu Jelly: Don't be afraid! It's actually a jelly made from sea worms, QQ and bouncy like jelly. Dip it in minced garlic and mustard sauce, and you won't be able to stop eating it. • Hu Jian Milk Tea: Order "Jia Tian Xia"! Strawberry smoothie + taro puree + crispy bobo, with a Quanzhou landmark pattern on the cup lid, which is great for taking photos 📸! ❌ Avoid These: • ❌ A certain "century-old fried dough twist" on West Street: Too oily and sweet, CNY 15 for a small bag is not worth it. You'll want to throw it away after one bite… • ❌ A certain influencer Ginger Duck: The duck meat is too tough to chew, and the spice flavor overpowers the ingredients themselves. It's not as good as the home-style dishes in the roadside restaurants! • ❌ Seafood stalls in scenic spots: Don't go to places with vague prices! I saw tourists being ripped off with my own eyes. I recommend going to chain restaurants in the city, where the prices are clearly marked and you can feel more at ease. ⚠️ [Avoid-the-Pitfalls Guide: Must-Read for Newbies!] 1. Shopping Traps: Don't buy souvenirs impulsively in West Street! The dried goods stores next to the vegetable market are cheaper, such as dried longan and mung bean cakes. Locals buy them there. 2. Transportation Pitfalls: Don't believe the "fixed price" for electric bikes in the old city! Use navigation to check the distance. The starting price is around CNY 5. If it's too far, I recommend riding a shared bike 🚲. 3. Floral Hairpin Scams: Some shops say "free makeup," but mascara and eye shadow cost extra! Ask in advance what's included in the package to avoid embarrassment. 4. Business Hours: Many old shops close after 2pm! If you want to eat breakfast, get up early. I recommend arriving for lunch before 11:30am. 📌 [Useful Tips] • 🧳 What to Wear: There are many stone roads in the old city, so wear canvas shoes or sneakers. It's windy by the sea, so bring a light scarf to create a stylish look and keep warm. • 🌞 Sun Protection: The UV rays are super strong from May to October! Sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen are essential. Don't ask me how I know (the pain of getting three shades darker 😭)! • 📸 Photography: The light is best before 10am and after 4pm. Avoid the midday sun, or you won't be able to open your eyes and it's easy to overexpose the photos. • 💡 Tips: Don't pay attention to enthusiastic "guides" who strike up conversations! The locals in Quanzhou are super nice. If you get lost, just ask the uncles and aunties, and they will draw you a detailed route. 💖 Summary: Quanzhou is truly a city full of surprises! After avoiding the pitfalls, you will find that every alley hides a story and every bite of food is full of warmth.