Quanzhou is located on the southeast coast of Fujian Province and is the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road. It was listed as one of the first National Famous Historical and Cultural Cities in 1982. During Song and Yuan dynasties, Quanzhou Port (Zayton Port) was one of the world's largest trading ports, attracting tens of thousands of foreign merchants, leaving behind diverse cultural relics like Kaiyuan Temple, Qingjing Mosque, and Islamic Sage Tombs. Quanzhou is a famous hometown of overseas Chinese, with about 9 million Quanzhou-origin Chinese living worldwide. Minnan culture is perfectly showcased here. Nanyin music, string puppet theater, and other intangible cultural heritage are world-renowned. Anxi Tieguanyin tea, Dehua white porcelain, and Hui'an stone carving are Quanzhou's three name cards.
Built in 686 AD, it's Fujian's largest Buddhist temple. The East and West Pagodas are China's tallest pair of stone pagodas, standing firm through millennia of storms and earthquakes. The temple preserves numerous precious Buddhist relics.
Built in 1009 AD, it's one of China's oldest surviving Islamic mosques. The temple preserves Mingshan Hall, Moon-Viewing Platform, showcasing the multicultural integration history of Quanzhou during Song-Yuan period.
Built in 1053 AD, it's China's earliest surviving cross-sea beam-style stone bridge. Together with Zhaozhou Bridge, Lugou Bridge and Guangji Bridge, known as China's four famous ancient bridges. 834m long with 44 boat-shaped piers.
National 5A scenic area, 498m above sea level, named for numerous mountain springs. The giant Laojun Rock stone carving is a masterpiece of Song dynasty Taoist stone carving art, 5.63m high, China's largest surviving Taoist stone statue.
Built in 1387 AD, it's China's best-preserved T-shaped stone ancient city. City wall circumference 2567m, preserving Ming-Qing dynasty residences and temples. Chongwu Beach is a natural seaside resort, also great for viewing unique Hui'an women folk customs.
Traditional Quanzhou breakfast, ultra-fine noodles cooked into paste, served with vinegar pork, duck blood, fried dough sticks. Centuries-old history, one of Quanzhou locals' favorite breakfasts.
Unique Quanzhou snack, gelatinous jelly made from sea worm (sipuncula) broth cooled and set, served with soy sauce, vinegar, garlic. Bouncy and smooth texture, unique Minnan seafood snack.
Classic Minnan snack, fresh oysters, sweet potato starch and eggs pan-fried, crispy outside tender inside, served with sweet chili sauce. Found at street stalls everywhere.
Traditional Quanzhou dish, old ginger, rice wine, sesame oil and muscovy duck slow-stewed. Strong ginger aroma, tender duck meat, excellent winter tonic dish.
June-Sep is hottest season with typhoons and rain, avoid or prepare rain gear
Quanzhou dialect belongs to Southern Min, very different from Mandarin, use translation app
Quanzhou's most important attraction Kaiyuan Temple is free, but advance booking required
Quanzhou people love tea, Anxi Tieguanyin tasting is not to be missed
Quanzhou bus system is extensive, K-prefix express lines connect major attractions, fare ¥2