Quanzhou | City walk in the ancient city is so comfortable~.
Here is a one-day Quanzhou travel guide:
Morning: Experience historical culture and religious charm
- 8:00 - 9:00: Arrive at West Street, taste Mianxianhu
- After arriving in Quanzhou, head to West Street. West Street is one of the most historic streets in Quanzhou, filled with the local customs of Minnan. You can first find an old-brand Mianxianhu shop and taste this Quanzhou specialty. Mianxianhu is smooth and delicate, and you can add toppings like large intestine, vinegar meat, and shrimp according to your personal taste. Pair it with a deep-fried dough stick for a delicious and filling meal.
- 9:00 - 11:00: Visit Kaiyuan Temple
- From West Street, you can walk for a few minutes to reach Kaiyuan Temple. Kaiyuan Temple is the largest Buddhist temple in Fujian Province, built during the Tang Dynasty and with a history of over 1300 years. The temple buildings are magnificent, and the "Hundred Pillar Hall" of the Mahavira Hall and the flying apsaras and musicians on the dougong are of great artistic value. The East and West Pagodas are also iconic landmarks of Quanzhou, representing the highest level of Chinese stone architecture in the 13th century. Take a stroll through Kaiyuan Temple and experience the rich religious and historical atmosphere.
Noon: Taste Quanzhou specialty cuisine
- 11:00 - 13:00: Have lunch near the Clock Tower
- After leaving Kaiyuan Temple, head to the Clock Tower. The Clock Tower is one of the iconic landmarks of Quanzhou, with a unique architectural style. There are many restaurants near the Clock Tower, and you can choose one to taste Quanzhou's specialty dishes, such as Ginger Duck and Oyster Omelette. Ginger Duck is a famous dish in Quanzhou, made with red-faced ducks and old ginger, rice wine and various spices, and slowly stewed in a casserole. The duck meat is not greasy and has a soft texture. Oyster Omelette is made with fresh oysters, eggs and starch. The outer layer is crispy and the inner filling is tender.
Afternoon: Explore more historical sites and cultural attractions
- 13:00 - 14:30: Visit Chengtian Temple
- Take a bus or walk to Chengtian Temple. Chengtian Temple has a quiet environment and a unique architectural style. It is one of the famous Buddhist temples in Quanzhou. Here, you can admire the ancient buildings, Buddha statues and garden landscapes in the temple, and experience a peaceful atmosphere to relax your mind and body.
- 14:30 - 15:30: Visit Quanzhou Confucian Temple
- From the Confucian Temple, you can walk for a few minutes to reach the Quanzhou Confucian Temple. The Quanzhou Confucian Temple is one of the 22 representative ancient historical sites, with a large scale and well-preserved buildings. The Confucian Temple enshrines Confucius and other Confucian sages, and is an important place for inheriting and promoting Confucian culture. Here, you can learn about Quanzhou's educational history and the development of Confucian culture.
- 15:30 - 16:30: Check in at Tianhou Palace
- Take a bus to Tianhou Palace. Tianhou Palace is an important center for the spread of Mazu belief, and is also the earliest and largest existing Mazu Temple in southeastern China. The architectural style of Tianhou Palace is unique, and it preserves many buildings and cultural relics from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Here, you can learn about the development and inheritance of Mazu culture, and experience Quanzhou's historical status as the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road.
Evening: Shopping and leisure
- 16:30 - 18:00: Shopping on Zhongshan Road
- After leaving Tianhou Palace, head to Zhongshan Road. Zhongshan Road is a traditional commercial street in Quanzhou, with many arcades preserved on both sides of the street, featuring a strong Nanyang style. Here, you can buy some Quanzhou specialty souvenirs, such as puppets and porcelain, and you can also taste some snacks and desserts.
- 18:00 - 19:00: Taste Four Fruits Soup
- Find a dessert shop near Zhongshan Road and taste the traditional Quanzhou dessert Four Fruits Soup. Four Fruits Soup is made with red beans, green beans, lotus seeds, and barley as the main ingredients, and then add sugar water, ice cubes and other seasonings. It tastes refreshing and cool, sweet but not greasy.
Evening: End of itinerary
- After 19:00: End the day's itinerary, choose to return to the hotel or go to other places according to your own arrangements. If you still have time, you can stroll around the city center and experience Quanzhou's nightlife.
The above itinerary is for reference only, you can adjust it according to your own interests and time. Quanzhou has many other attractions worth visiting, such as Qingjing Temple and Qingshan Mountain. If you have enough time, you can arrange them in your itinerary.