Things to do in Quanzhou

Kaiyuan Temple, a thousand-year-old temple, boasts imposing twin pagodas and towering banyan trees, offering a tranquil escape from the bustling city. Just a wall away lies West Street, a vibrant hub of activity, with its exquisitely carved ancient buildings that blend the diverse cultures of the Maritime Silk Road, making it a worthwhile destination to savor and appreciate the rich heritage of Quanzhou.

The performance, priced at around seventy yuan, was well worth it. The Shaolin monks all gave their all, and the applause was constant throughout the performance. This was not only an affirmation of their performance but also a praise and expression of confidence in the spirit of traditional Chinese martial arts. There was especially a cute little monk, about four or five years old, who could even make a hand gesture, eliciting constant laughter.

Definitely worth a visit! The air is fresh, and there are many sights to see. Unfortunately, my schedule was limited that day, so I only took the bus to the mountaintop and visited part of the core scenic area. I didn't get to see the Hongyi Master Relic Pagoda, as half a day wasn't enough. I also missed the recommended evening dinner and panoramic view from Qingyuan Mountain. We'll see what happens next. There are walking trails and scheduled buses within the scenic area; you can choose your route based on your physical condition and schedule. During the National Day holiday, round-trip tickets for the buses are not available; a one-way ticket costs 15 yuan, and buses depart approximately every 20 minutes. Apparently, there's a bus back to the city from the visitor center at the foot of the mountain for only 1 yuan. The staff and holiday volunteers within the scenic area were very helpful, patiently providing guidance and answering questions.

Luojia Temple is located on Gongyu Island, on the eastern shore of the Minnan Golden Coast in Shishi City, covering an area of ​​over 20 mu (approximately 3.3 hectares) facing the Taiwan Strait. The temple was built on land donated by the Hong Kong Youbang Group to the Shishi Buddhist Association as a sacred site for Guanyin Bodhisattva. A temple facing the sea, it truly feels like a "Buddhist kingdom by the sea." The temple is surrounded by the vast ocean, where the tides rise and fall, and waves constantly wash over the reefs and seawalls.

The online hype is overwhelming. The park isn't very big, and the shows are good, but the walks to the shows are too far. We arrived in the morning, and the shows were all in the afternoon, so we didn't have enough time to enjoy them. I don't think it's worth the special trip; it wasn't as good as I expected.

Quanzhou Ancient City. Quanzhou is a place with a profound cultural heritage, reaching its peak during the Song and Yuan dynasties. It was the "largest port in the East" and the starting point of the "Maritime Silk Road." Designated one of the first batch of National Historical and Cultural Cities in 1982, and in 2021, "Quanzhou: A World Maritime Trade Center of Song and Yuan China" was inscribed on the World Heritage List, with eight World Heritage sites within the ancient city. The core urban area covers approximately 6.41 square kilometers, and the city's outline resembles a carp. The most central areas of the ancient city include: West Street (a thousand-year-old street), Kaiyuan Temple + East and West Pagodas, the Bell Tower, the arcade buildings along Zhongshan Road, Qingjing Mosque, the Confucian Temple, and the Tonghuai Guanyue Temple. Religious diversity coexists here, earning it the title of "World Religious Museum." Here, you can find traditional Minnan red-brick houses, Western-style buildings, and arcade buildings coexisting; intangible cultural heritage such as Nanyin music, Liyuan opera, and puppet shows are vibrant; Minnan delicacies such as tusu jelly, rice noodle soup, and runbing are abundant; the night view is dazzling, making it an excellent place for a walking tour. Don't bother eating at the food stalls on the pedestrian street; most of them are popular tourist spots, the taste is average, and they don't really represent the quality of Quanzhou snacks.

As invited teachers, several of my colleagues and I accompanied parents and children to the puppet theater on the third floor of Kaiyuan Shengshi, witnessing firsthand the vibrant power of traditional craftsmanship during this one-hour performance. Four plays were presented in quick succession: "Little Bald Head Goes Down the Mountain" conveyed the message of diligence and growth through a story from an old Quanzhou street; "Daming Mansion" showcased loyalty and responsibility through acrobatic combat; "Fighting the Tiger" gripped the audience with its portrayal of Wu Song's bravery; and the grand finale, "Monkey Play Training the Monkey," with its ingenious "turning fruit into gold" and play-within-a-play concept, drew gasps of amazement from the teachers and students. The puppets, guided by silken strings, moved with lifelike agility, displaying remarkable skill as they twirled in the hands of the children. The children watched intently, their eyes glued to the screen, applause and laughter filling the theater. The essence of this study tour lay in bringing intangible cultural heritage from the books into reality. The children not only witnessed exquisite performances but also had the opportunity to personally manipulate the strings and hold the puppets in their hands during the post-performance experience, truly feeling the focus and perseverance behind "one minute on stage." Quanzhou string puppets and hand puppets are both listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. These are not forgotten relics, but rather a testament to the life passed down through generations of artisans. When children see the puppet monkey mimicking an artist controlling a clown, the intricate layers of craftsmanship allow them to intuitively understand the difficulty and joy of this heritage. This one-hour experience is not just a captivating performance, but a genuine dialogue with a thousand-year-old craft—approaching tradition with laughter and planting seeds of identification through hands-on experience. This is the most basic yet profound value of study tours.

Great place to visit, fun for kids and kids at heart, performance and interactions with staff makes it even better, most rides only require 105cm, not too exiting but enough to be enjoyed. We went there on a weekday so literally ride all you can without having to line up for any ride🤣

If you're visiting Quanzhou, be sure to check out this village. Children can wear traditional floral-adorned clothing, which is very unique. There are many shops offering photo opportunities; I recommend trying them out. The village isn't large, making it perfect for taking pictures.

Wulin Ancient Village was originally a settlement of the Cai clan, with a history of 700 years. In the past, clan members went to Southeast Asia to make a living, and after returning home, they built a large number of residences. The village has well-preserved various overseas Chinese buildings, with complete styles and forms, thus it is known as a living museum of overseas Chinese architecture.