Things to see and do in Quanzhou, China?

Quanzhou, formerly known as Chinchew, is the largest city in the Fujian region of China. It is one of the main economic powers of the country due to its port, located on the Jin River, which has favored trade. However, there is also a lot to see in Quanzhou for its historical and cultural heritage, which makes it one of the most touristic cities in China. Here you can see beautiful temples, gardens and museums. In addition, in the surroundings there are plenty of excursions to do.

Have you ever heard of the city? If the answer is no, we invite you to continue reading this post where we will tell you all about Quanzhou. Discover the tourist attractions of the city, the best places to stay and the restaurants to eat. We will also tell you about some day trips to do in the area and all the little details you have to take into account before starting your trip to avoid any problems. Ready? Let’s get started.

What are the best places to see in Quanzhou?

1. Kaiyuan Temple

With an area of 78,000 square meters, the Kaiyuan complex is the largest Buddhist temple in Fujian province and a symbol of the region. It was built in 685 and is still intact thanks to subsequent restoration work. On the facade of the temple we can see several lavishly decorated columns and some priceless sculptures scattered throughout the complex.

There are several buildings in the complex that you must visit. They are the Tianwang Hall, Daxiong Palace, Sweet Dew Temple, Sutra Depository and Sutra Hall. There are also two incredible pagodas in stone with a height of 40 meters. The temple is open from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm and access is free.

2. Qingjing Mosque 

Also known as Ashab Mosque, this building represents the cultural exchange between China and the Arab countries. At the time of the Song dynasty, quite a few mosques were built along the coast for Muslim traders. The temple was built by Muslim Arabs and is one of the oldest in the country. It is located on Tumen Street and after its construction in 1009 it had to be rebuilt several times. Still several parts of the mosque still preserve their original state.

The temple is open from 8:00 to 17:30 and the entrance fee is 3 yuan. Guided tours are also available for hire.

3. Luoyang Bridge in Quanzhou

To the south of the city and across the Luoyang River we find this historic bridge built in granite and designed to withstand the strong currents of the river. In fact, it was one of the first bridges built in this material in the whole country. The construction of the bridge was completed in 1059, under the Song Dynasty. It has a length of 731 meters and along the bridge we can find up to 104 lions built in stone, several pagodas, piers and a 12-meter high sculpture of Cai Xiang, the governor who ordered the construction of the bridge.

4. Tianhou Palace

Along with 21 other historical monuments, this palace is considered a Chinese National Protected Key Relic for its cultural background and architectural significance. It was built in 1196 under the reign of the Song dynasty and over the years extensions have been added to the complex that occupies 9000 square meters, such as the Mountain Gate, the Opera Stage, or the Bell and Drum tower. It is definitely one of the most impressive monuments to see in Quanzhou.

The entrance fee is 5 yuan and the opening hours are from 8:00h to 17:30h. We recommend to go there between April and November, when the weather is better and it doesn’t rain as much.

5. Quanzhou Water Rock 

Situated at the foot of Penglai Mountain, this temple is the perfect place to admire the scenery and enjoy the legacy of Buddhist culture. The different buildings of the complex are distributed on the mountainside, so better wear comfortable shoes because you will have to walk a lot. Among the buildings to visit are the Banling Pavilion and the Hujie Palace. There are also numerous sculptures carved directly into the rock.

The complex is open from 6:00 am to 5:30 pm and admission costs 15 yuan. We would also recommend to visit it between April and November for the best weather conditions.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see around Quanzhou

1. Xiamen

Xiamen is one of the most touristic cities in China and a symbol of economic success because of the trade that began in its ports thousands of years ago. Although tourists generally use the city as a strategic point to move around the area and visit Gulangyu Island or the round houses of the Hakka Tulous, the city itself is also a very pleasant place to spend the day.

The city is famous for its European style. And in addition to strolling through its streets, you should visit the Nanputuo Temple and Kinmen Island, which is part of an archipelago of 15 islands that was not accessible to tourists until 2001. Several ferries depart daily from the city to the islands.

2. Gulangyu Island

This small island located in the outskirts of Xiamen and 1.5h drive from Quanzhou will surely surprise you. Its colonial past is reflected in every building of the city, which as a whole will not exactly remind you of the typical Chinese city. The island is barely 1km square and no vehicles are allowed to enter.

It is one of the most beautiful places in the entire region and perfect to unwind and relax on one of its white sand beaches. On the small island, in addition to sunbathing, you can visit the piano museum, the Sun Peak Monastery and Shuzhuang Gardens. It’s a small tropical forest that changed from private to public ownership in 1955. You’re sure to want to take a thousand photos.

3. Fujian Tulou

In the Fujian region we find numerous tulous, a set of characteristic round buildings where the Hakka ethnic group lived. The buildings are organized around a central temple and were generally built in mud, although there are also some in granite. Curiously during the Cold War they were mistaken for missile launchers because of their characteristic shape, and many of them were bombed.

The Fujian Tulou is a World Heritage Site for its historical value and it is a 2h drive from Quanzhou. There are many other Tulous in the region, but this is the closest one to where regular day trips are organized.

What to see in 1 day in Quanzhou

Quanzhou is a city you can easily visit in one day as the main tourist attractions are very close to each other and within walking distance. If you only have one day, here’s what you have to see in Quanzhou.

Don’t miss the Kaiyuan Temple and Quanzhou Water Rock Temple, as well as the Tianhou Palace. The best place to take pictures is Luoyang Bridge, but we recommend you go early because it gets crowded very quickly. And another mandatory stop is the Qingjing Mosque, whose architecture will surprise you. If in the end you decide to spend an extra day in the area, we recommend you to visit Xiamen and Gulangyu Island.

Where and what to eat in Quanzhou?

At the gastronomic level, the Quanzhou region has influences from several countries. Among its many dishes, seafood and fish dishes predominate, such as kezai jian (oyster-based appetizer) or mianxian hu (seafood soup). There are also other famous dishes such as usun dong, based on insects or rouzong, pork dumplings. These are some of the restaurants where you can try these dishes.

• Shijinji Story of Food: is a cozy traditional restaurant where you can try both Chinese and Taiwanese elaborations at a very affordable price for less than 15€.
• XunPu Seafood Restaurant: This is a restaurant specializing in fish and seafood. It is a little more expensive than other restaurants, but it is worth it for the quality of its products.

Where to stay in Quanzhou?

Quanzhou is not one of the best cities in terms of accommodation as it is somewhat expensive and the offer is not particularly varied. Here is a selection of hotels to make your search easier.

• U shore house: this is a very cozy hostel where you can share a room or sleep in a private room with bathroom. Prices start at 60€ per night and the establishment also organizes activities and excursions.
• InterContinental Quanzhou: strategically located between the main points of interest in Quanzhou, this luxury hotel is a great choice for a vacation. It has a fitness room and a swimming pool and offers breakfast for €22. Prices start at €100 per night.
• Holiday Inn Express Quanzhou: this is a very affordable and comfortable hotel located in the heart of the city. It has a fitness room and laundry, and the price includes breakfast. Prices start at 45€.

How to get to Quanzhou

Getting to Quanzhou from Europe is not as easy as it might be to other Chinese cities like Shanghai or Beijing. But don’t worry, we’ll share a couple of ways to get there. The nearest airport is Jinjiang Airport, which is about 27km from the city center. The most recommended way to get to downtown Quanzhou is by cab, which takes 50 minutes and costs 56 yuan.

Another option is to take the Airport Bus K602, which costs 4 yuan and runs every 15 minutes between 07:30h and 19:30h. The journey takes 1h and 15min and makes 46 stops to get to the center.

What should I consider before traveling to Quanzhou

• The official currency is the yuan.
• The best time to travel to Quanzhou is in autumn, when the days are still long and it doesn’t rain as much.
• It is best to avoid exchanging money at the airport, as their prices are high.
• In Quanzhou we can bargain in places where the price is not fixed. Like in the street markets or in some sweets or gift shops.
• The Mandarin language is spoken in Quanzhou.
• No visa is required to go to Quanzhou from Spain, a passport is enough.
• Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured.

How to prepare what to see on your trip to Quanzhou

Sign up or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions into it.
• Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can get inspiration in the routes we present in the post)
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travelers what to see in Quanzhou.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Quanzhou