Silver City Chronicles · Tong'an Ancient City｜Walk the Millennia-old Stone Slabs, Explore Minnan Culture and Everyday Life

When the sound of the piano from Gulangyu drifts over the Lujiang River and the night market lights up in Zengcuoan, the ancient city of Tong'an, with a history of more than 1,700 years, still wears a veil of time. Named "Silver City" because its ancient city walls resemble a silver ingot, the flying eaves of the Confucius Temple, the morning bell of Fantian Temple, and the traditional local flavors intertwine here, weaving the deepest roots of Minnan culture. Every step treads on the traces of time. 📍Location: Tong'an District, Xiamen City (the core area of the ancient city is concentrated around Datong Street) 🚌 Transportation Guide - Public Transport: Take BRT Express Line 2 or Line 5 to "Tong'an Hub Station," then transfer to Tong'an buses (such as routes 602, 615, etc.) to reach various attractions directly; core sites like the Confucius Temple and Fantian Temple can be connected on foot, and the old town alleys are perfect for a leisurely stroll. - Recommended for Self-Driving: Navigate to "Tong'an Confucius Temple" or "Fantian Temple." There are public parking lots nearby (some paid). Driving is more convenient for visiting outlying attractions like Beichen Mountain and Jinguang Lake. ⚠️ Practical Tips - The core area of the ancient city (Confucius Temple, Lushan Hall, old street area) is open all day with no admission fee; some attractions (Beichen Mountain, Jinguang Lake) require tickets, which can be booked online in advance. - It is recommended to reserve 1-2 days for an in-depth visit to explore both the historical sites and savor traditional local flavors, experiencing the pace of life in the old town. 🏛️ Must-Experience Check-in Spots - Tong'an Confucius Temple: The only Confucius Temple in Xiamen, originally built during the Five Dynasties period, with existing buildings reconstructed in the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty. The Lingxing Gate, Pan Pool Arch Bridge, and Dacheng Hall are well-preserved. The "Haibin Zoulu" ancient stele in the stele corridor, inscribed by Zhu Xi, witnesses a millennium of flourishing education and culture. - Lushan Hall: Former residence of the famous Northern Song statesman Su Song, now the Su family ancestral hall. The ink-washing pool in the courtyard remains as it was, and the hall displays Su Song’s handwritten letters and exhibits related to the "Water-driven Astronomical Clock," allowing visitors to explore the growth path of this scientific genius. - Tong'an Ancient City Wall (Guanlan Pavilion): The city wall, originally built in the Song Dynasty and repaired during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, still partially stands. Guanlan Pavilion offers an excellent vantage point to overlook the old city. The bullet marks from anti-Japanese battles on the bricks and the legend of the "Silver Tong Black-faced Mazu" reveal the resilience of the ancient city. - Fantian Temple: An ancient temple from the Sui Dynasty, over 300 years older than Nanputuo Temple. Built against the mountain with red walls and yellow tiles, the Wen Gong Academy inside features a stone carving portrait of Zhu Xi and the admonition "Qiongli Zhizhi," reflecting the profound lineage of Neo-Confucianism. - Beichen Mountain: The majestic Twelve Dragon Pool Waterfall is said to be where King Wang Shenzhi stationed troops during the founding of Fujian. The Guangli Temple at the mountain peak worships Wang Shenzhi. The folk custom of "Zou Jiao" on the third day of the third lunar month is lively, with the sound of gongs and drums echoing like ancient battle drums through the valley. 📸 Photo Tips - Ancient City Culture: Take photos of the flying eaves and dougong brackets in front of the Dacheng Hall at the Confucius Temple, with morning mist as the background for a more rustic feel; by the ink-washing pool at Lushan Hall, use the white walls and black tiles as a backdrop for documentary-style cultural photos; from Guanlan Pavilion on the ancient city wall, overlook the bluestone slab road and old rooftops to capture the texture of time. - Mountain and Water Zen: In front of the Twelve Dragon Pool at Beichen Mountain, capture dynamic shots of the cascading waterfall or take photos beside the "Xianyuan" inscription; under the red walls of Fantian Temple, use the yellow tiles and green trees as foregrounds to shoot serene, light-and-shadow-filled zen photos. - Traditional Local Life: In front of the breakfast shops on South Gate Old Street, capture steaming large intestine blood pudding and bowl cakes to record the bustling street atmosphere; at dusk, photograph the golden chicken legs and the queue at "Yang Qiang Furong Fragrant Bone Chicken Leg" shop, reflecting the warmth of old town life. 🍜 Taste of Traditional Memories - Large Intestine Blood Pudding + Bowl Cake: A must-try at "A Zhu Large Intestine Blood" on South Gate Old Street. The large intestine is chewy, the pig’s blood is tender, paired with garlic sauce bowl cake, it’s the standard breakfast for Tong'an locals. - Manjian Cake: Handmade at "Feidong Manjian Cake," the freshly cooked cake is soft, with the aroma of brown sugar syrup seeping through. One bite brings back the sweet and glutinous memories of old Tong'an. - Furong Fragrant Bone Chicken Leg: A three-generation inherited internet-famous dish, marinated with spices for six hours and then fried. The skin is crispy and the inside juicy, selling over two thousand pieces daily. - Tong'an Thin Pancake: Handmade thin pancakes from Su Ying Pancake Shop, filled with oysters, shrimp, and other ingredients, wrapped with sweet and spicy sauce, a traditional flavor essential for festivals. 💡 Travel Tips 1. The old town streets are mostly bluestone slabs; comfortable flat shoes are recommended for easy walking. 2. Concentrate on tasting traditional flavors on South Gate Old Street, with early morning and afternoon being the best times for food. 3. Mosquitoes are common in scenic spots like Beichen Mountain and Jinguang Lake; bring mosquito repellent and wear long sleeves. 4. When visiting ancient houses and temples, observe etiquette, do not touch cultural relics casually, and respect local customs. 🏨 Accommodation Recommendation After exploring the millennia-old ancient city, consider staying at Jinjiang Inn Pinshang Xiamen Airport Jimei Academy Village Branch, combining cultural depth with comfortable experience. The hotel’s convenient location makes it easy to relax after returning from Tong'an and to visit Jimei Academy Village and nearby Xiamen Airport attractions. Clean and cozy rooms with complete facilities help you unwind after a day, perfectly blending the nourishment of millennia-old culture with convenient rest, bringing a perfect conclusion to your Silver City journey.