Quanzhou Travel Guide: Encounter the Millennium Maritime Silk Road City

Quanzhou Travel Guide: Encounter the Millennium Maritime Silk Road City Quanzhou, a city brimming with historical charm and vibrant life, boasts profound cultural heritage and unique culinary delights. Whether you're a culture enthusiast or a food adventurer, this city has something for everyone. Now, let this guide lead you on your Quanzhou journey! Preparation - Documents: Prepare your ID card and various discount certificates. - Clothing: Pack clothes according to the season; bring sun protection in summer and warm clothing in winter. - Other items: Mobile phone, camera, charger, power bank, umbrella, comfortable shoes. Transportation Guide - External Transportation: You can choose to fly directly to Jinjiang Airport, which is close to the city center, making it convenient to take a taxi or airport shuttle bus; you can also take a high-speed train to Quanzhou Station. - Inner-city Transportation: Within the ancient city, walking or taking a "Xiaobai car" (small electric shuttle) is recommended – they stop on demand and fares are affordable; for farther attractions, you can choose to take a taxi or public bus. Attraction Recommendations - Kaiyuan Temple: The largest Buddhist temple in Fujian, featuring structures like the East and West Pagodas and the Mahavira Hall. The East and West Pagodas are iconic landmarks of Quanzhou, and the flying Apsara musician wood carvings inside the Mahavira Hall are exquisitely beautiful and well worth seeing. - West Street: Quanzhou's oldest street, full of Southern Fujian charm, with numerous unique shops and eateries. Here you can taste authentic Quanzhou snacks and experience local life. Don't miss out on dishes like Cai Guo (vegetable cake), Rou Zong (meat dumplings), and Siguotang (four-fruit soup). You can also take photos at the "Quanzhou" big character poster wall. - Xunpu Village: The distinctive "Zanhuawei" (flower-adorned headwear) and oyster shell houses are the hallmarks of this village. Stepping into the village feels like traveling through time. You can rent a local costume, wear a Zanhuawei, transform into a beautiful Xunpu woman, and capture stunning photos. - Qingyuan Mountain: Its main peak is 498 meters above sea level, preserving a large number of cultural relics and historical sites. The Song Dynasty statue of Laozi at Laojun Rock is the largest existing Taoist stone carving in China, with exquisite craftsmanship and lifelike detail. The mountain scenery is beautiful and the air is fresh, making it a great place for hiking and climbing. - Luoyang Bridge: Also known as Wan'an Bridge, it is a large beam-style stone bridge built across the sea during the Song Dynasty. It utilized unique bridge-building techniques such as "raft foundations" and "oyster cultivation for foundation reinforcement," remaining stable for a thousand years and possessing immense historical value. Stroll across the bridge and feel the wisdom of the ancients and the unique charm of this ancient bridge. Food Guide - Rou Zong (Meat Dumplings): Contains glutinous rice, mushrooms, pork belly, lotus seeds, etc., served with sweet and spicy sauce, soft, sticky, and savory. Recommended shop: Hou Apo Rou Zong. - Mian Xian Hu (Noodle Paste): Fine noodles cooked into a paste, with optional toppings like vinegar-marinated pork, fried dough sticks, and pig intestines, offering a smooth texture and delicious taste. Recommended shop: Shuimen Guozi Mian Xian Hu. - Ginger Duck: Duck meat stewed with ginger slices and other seasonings, rich in aroma and tender in texture. Recommended shop: Sidan Ginger Duck. - Tusundong (Sea Worm Jelly): Made by boiling and cooling sea worms, it's crystal clear with a springy texture. Served with soy sauce, vinegar, mustard, and other condiments, it offers a unique flavor. Recommended shop: Wushugong Tusundong. - Siguotang (Four-Fruit Soup): Made with sea jelly, red beans, mung beans, job's tears, and other ingredients in a sweet syrup, it's cooling and refreshing, a must-have summer dessert. Recommended shop: Bingzhengtang. Accommodation Suggestions - Near West Street: Convenient for travel, with many nearby eateries and attractions, allowing you to fully experience the ancient city atmosphere. - Fengze District: Convenient transportation, diverse hotel options, and close to some attractions. Itinerary Planning - Day 1: Arrive in Quanzhou in the morning, head to West Street to browse unique shops and taste local food; visit Kaiyuan Temple in the afternoon; continue to enjoy the night view and food on West Street in the evening. - Day 2: Head to Xunpu Village in the morning to experience Zanhuawei and visit the oyster shell houses; go to Qingyuan Mountain in the afternoon to enjoy the natural scenery and cultural relics. - Day 3: Visit Luoyang Bridge in the morning; free time in the afternoon, prepare for return journey. Important Notes - Check attraction opening hours and ticket information in advance; some attractions require reservations. - When tasting food, pay attention to food hygiene to avoid stomach discomfort. - In summer, pay attention to sun protection and mosquito repellent; in winter, keep warm.