Quanzhou Travel Guide

Attractions, Food, Recommended Accommodations

Quanzhou Travel Guide: Is Quanzhou worth visiting

Quanzhou, an ancient city certified by UNESCO as the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road, holds the most complete memory of China’s Song and Yuan maritime trade.

When you walk among the red-brick old houses, you can hear the sculling of the thousand-year-old merchant ships and touch the pulse of multiculturalism.

Quanzhou travel guide will bring you an in-depth analysis of the essence of travel in Quanzhou, from the world heritage to the city’s smoke and fire, presenting you with a travel guide that is both professional and practical.

Quanzhou Attractions

Quanzhou Travel Guide: Must-Visit Attractions in Quanzhou

Quanzhou Kaiyuan Temple

Kaiyuan Temple 开元寺

One of the oldest surviving Buddhist temples in China, the 24 Flying Lekki in the Da Xiong Bao Dian is an artistic treasure.

Quanzhou Qingjing Mosque

Qingjing Temple 清净寺

the oldest surviving Islamic temple in China, where the Arab-style gatehouse coexists with Ming Dynasty inscriptions.

Quanzhou Luoyang Bridge

Luoyang Bridge 洛阳桥

also known as Wan’an Bridge, located in Luojiang District, Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, is one of the four most famous bridges in ancient China, and the world’s earliest surviving beam-type stone bridge across the sea

What is Quanzhou known for food

Noodle Paste, Quanzhou Ginger Duck, and Asparagus Jelly

Quanzhou Noodle Paste

Noodle Paste

Recommended to be served with vinegared pork, marinated Chinese sausage and fritters, we recommend the long-established “Shui Men Guo Zai”.


Quanzhou Ginger Duck

Quanzhou Ginger Duck

Special Gold Award uses 3-year-old ginger with tender duck meat

Quanzhou Asparagus Jelly

Asparagus Jelly

This gelatinous delicacy made from sea sandworms is a litmus test for Quanzhou people to verify their “foodie status”.

Accommodation

Where to stay in Quanzhou

Featured Lodging: Immersive Cultural Experience
Quanzhou Carp City Grand Hotel: a long-established hotel opened in 1958, with a Minnan style remodeling completed in 2025.
Zeya B&B (Hairy Village): hairpin fisherwoman theme, providing free hairpin experience.
Kerry Yard Hotel (Fengze District): French design fused with southern Fujian red brick elements.

Newly opened hotels: 2025 selection
Quanzhou Honor Hotel (Donghai Area): infinity pool directly facing Quanzhou Bay.
Yuexian Xingguang Hotel (Jinjiang City): hot springs in the house, suitable for parent-child vacations.

How to Get Around in Quanzhou

External Transportation: Convenient choices of air routes and high-speed rail


Air
: Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport has opened air routes to Southeast Asia, Japan and South Korea, and in 2025, there will be a new “air-rail intermodal transportation” product, and the airport express line will directly reach the city. read more
High-speed rail: Xingquan Railway connects Ganzhou and Sanming, and Quanzhou Station can transfer to the “Haisi” tourist train.


Internal transportation: three-dimensional network of buses and slow-moving vehicles


“Xiaobai” buses
: miniature battery cars that stop at the drop of a hat, covering the core area of the ancient city.
Shared Bicycle: “Little Orange” shared motorcycle is stationed, and special lanes are set up along the route from West Street to Binhai Park.
Self-driving advice: Quanzhou Bay Bridge truck tolls down to 0.45 yuan / kilometer, smoother driving around the Bay.

Transport

When to Go to Quanzhou

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average Temperature121315192326282826221814
Average High161719232730323230262218
Average Low91012162023252523191511

May-October: good for beach activities, but watch out for typhoon season (July-September).
November-April: pleasant climate for hiking in the old city and the lantern festival during Chinese New Year.

Quanzhou Travel Guide: Calendar of Seasonal Events

Spring Festival Folklore Carnival
The “Tianxiang” parade on the ninth day of the first month of the lunar calendar, in which hundreds of people carry statues of gods and goddesses around the country, is an excellent time to experience the folk beliefs of southern Fujian. It is recommended to book accommodation in advance and pay attention to local taboos.

Dragon Boat Feast on the Water
Dragon boat races and “chattering” lotus picking ceremony in the Jinjiang River Basin show the unique customs of the Dragon Boat Festival. The best place to watch the ceremony is at the pier of Haojipu Fishing Village, where you can participate in making “incense bags” to drive away evil spirits.

Quanzhou Travel Tips

Language
Mandarin is commonly spoken in the city, older merchants may use Minnan, with the help of a translation app.

Currency
Some traditional markets are cash-only, so it is advisable to carry a small amount of cash.

Quanzhou Travel Guide: Conclusion

Quanzhou, a city that is “half fireworks and half immortality”, is welcoming tourists from all over the world with a more open attitude.

Whether you want to explore World Heritage sites, savor ancient cuisine, or participate in cultural exchanges between Quanzhou and Taiwan, Quanzhou offers a unique travel experience.