Introduction: It is the largest Buddhist temple in Fujian Province. Its twin pagodas, Renshou Pagoda and Zhenguo Pagoda, are the landmark buildings of Quanzhou. The East and West Pagodas still stand firm despite the passage of time. With a unique architectural style and exquisite carvings, they contain profound Buddhist cultural connotations.
Tourist Suggestions: You can spend 2 3 hours slowly appreciating the architectural details of the temple, ancient scripture pillars, the Memorial Hall of Master Hongyi, etc., and feel the tranquility and solemnity of this thousand-year-old temple.
Quanzhou Confucian Temple
Introduction: It is a Confucian temple with architectural forms of the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. With a complete architectural regulation and profound cultural heritage, it is the largest Confucian temple complex in the southeast region.
Tourist Suggestions: The visiting time is about 1.5 2 hours. Focus on visiting the statue of Confucius in the Dacheng Hall and many ancient inscriptions on tablets.
Qingjing Mosque
Introduction: It is the earliest existing Islamic architecture in China, with a typical Arabian Islamic architectural style. The remains such as the Fengtian Altar in the mosque have witnessed the multicultural exchanges in Quanzhou as an important port on the ancient Maritime Silk Road.
Tourist Suggestions: The visiting time is 1 1.5 hours. You can learn some knowledge about Islamic architecture and culture in advance to better appreciate it.
Natural and Folk Custom Sites
Qingyuan Mountain
Introduction: The main peak is 498 meters above sea level. There are a large number of cultural relics and historic sites left. The statue of Laozi in the Laojun Rock of the Song Dynasty is the largest Taoist stone carving in China. It is known as the “First Mountain of Fujian Sea and Penglai”.
Tourist Suggestions: You can choose to hike up the mountain (about 3 4 hours) to enjoy the natural scenery and cliff carvings along the way, or take a cable car up and down the mountain and overlook the scenery of Quanzhou city at the mountain top observation deck.
Xunpu Village
Introduction: The women here retain the unique traditional custom of wearing “Zanhuawei” (a kind of headdress with flowers). There are also characteristic buildings such as “Keqiao Cu” (houses built with oyster shells) in the village, full of strong Minnan style.
Tourist Suggestions: Walk around the village for 1 2 hours to experience the local folk customs. You can also try to wear the “Zanhuawei” and take photos by yourself.
Food Guide
Main Courses
Mianxianhu (Noodles in Paste)
Features: Made of thin noodles and sweet potato flour, it is in a paste shape, light and smooth. It can be accompanied by various stewed ingredients such as large intestines, “Cu Rou” (fried pork), shrimps, etc., and then sprinkled with pepper powder and celery powder to enhance the flavor. It is one of the favorite breakfasts of Quanzhou people.
Recommended Restaurant: Shuimen Guozai Mianxianhu. The noodles in paste in their restaurant are delicate in taste, and the stewed ingredients are fresh and rich in variety.
Xianfan (Salty Rice)
Features: Using glutinous rice or ordinary rice as the main ingredient, adding ingredients such as streaky pork, mushrooms, dried oysters, dried scallops, etc. and stewing them together, each grain is distinct and fragrant.
Recommended Restaurant: The Xianfan in Haochengcai Steak House is also very popular. Paired with its signature steak, the taste is excellent.
Snacks
Rouzong (Meat Dumpling)
Features: Different from ordinary dumplings, the Quanzhou meat dumpling is large in size and rich in fillings, including streaky pork, mushrooms, dried scallops, egg yolks, etc. It is wrapped in bamboo leaves and then boiled. When eating, it can be dipped in sweet chili sauce or garlic sauce, with a rich taste and strong flavor.
Recommended Restaurant: Houapo Rouzong Shop is an old and famous meat dumpling shop in Quanzhou. Its meat dumplings are made with fine ingredients and unique craftsmanship.
Tusundong (Jellyfish-like Dish Made from a Kind of Marine Worm)
Features: The main ingredient is a kind of worm (scientific name: Phascolosoma esculenta) that grows in the beach by the sea. After boiling and cooling, it condenses into a jelly-like shape. It looks crystal clear and tastes crispy. Paired with seasonings such as soy sauce, vinegar, and minced garlic, it has a unique flavor.
Recommended Restaurant: Uncle Wu Tusundong. The tusundong in his shop is clean and hygienic with stable quality. The worms are well processed without any fishy smell.
Desserts and Drinks
Shihuagao (Agar Jelly)
Features: Made by boiling “Shihuacao” (a kind of seaweed), it looks like jelly but is clearer and has a smooth taste. It can be paired with honey, fruits, red beans, etc. It is an excellent product for relieving summer heat and quenching thirst.
Recommended Restaurant: Bingzheng Tang. As a famous dessert shop, its Shihuagao is made in an authentic way with a rich variety of ingredients.
Siguotang (Four-Fruit Soup)
Features: Using various ingredients such as mung beans, red beans, lotus seeds, and coix seeds as the base materials, adding Shihuagao, Xiancaodong (grass jelly), etc., and then pouring honey water or sugar water, it is sweet and refreshing and is a must-have drink in summer.
Recommended Restaurant: Afen Siguotang. The Siguotang in this shop is made with solid ingredients, has a sweet taste and is affordable.
Itinerary Planning
One-day Itinerary
Morning
Visit Kaiyuan Temple, appreciate ancient buildings such as the East and West Pagodas, and experience Buddhist culture.
Noon
Taste delicious food such as meat dumplings and Mianxianhu on the nearby West Street.
Afternoon
Visit Quanzhou Confucian Temple to understand Confucian culture; then go to Qingjing Mosque to experience Islamic culture.
Evening
Stroll around Tumen Street, taste local characteristic snacks such as tusundong in the street shops, and then you can enjoy the night view of Quanzhou.
