Quanzhou Travel Guide: Plan the Ultimate Quanzhou Trip
Quanzhou city is a coastal city located in southeastern Fujian Province of China. It’s an ancient city that was once a thriving port of the Maritime Silk Road. Its strategic location had opened the city up to international trade and cultural exchange. Till this day, you can find traces of Quanzhou history in its landmarks, streets, and people.
Countless visitors travel to Quanzhou every year to witness its cultural heritage, religious scene, and rich folk culture. This article is the ultimate Quanzhou travel guide to help you plan the best trip to Quanzhou.
Chinese: 泉州 quán zhōu
Location: Southeast Fujian
Population (urban area): 8,879,000
Why Travel to Quanzhou?
- Rich Historic Heritage: Quanzhou was once described by Marco Polo as “The Most Prosperous City in the World.” It was an economic and cultural center where significant exchanges took place. Today, even though it’s no longer a major metropolis of China, its past glory can still be found inmany of the city’s historic landmarks.
- Vibrant Religious Scene: Quanzhou is home to many ancient temples with historical significance and magnificent architecture. It has always been a city with a vibrant religious scene with heavy Buddhist, Islamic, and Taoist influences. These different regions coexist in the city and develop alongside each other.
- Authentic Folk Culture and Simple Daily Life: Walking down the streets of Quanzhou, you’ll be immersed in its rich history and an authentic way of life. You’ll find delicious local food, which blends Fujianese and Taiwanese flavors. Many visitors travel to Anxi County, the birthplace of Tieguanyin tea, to trace Chinese tea culture. Explore the markets and shops to find handicrafts like traditional ceramics, handmade textiles, and embroidery.
Guanyue Temple
Guanyue Temple is a Taoist temple dedicated to the famous generals, Guan Yu and Yue Fei. It’s busy with locals burning paper money and praying for blessings. It’s a great place to experience the local religious life.
Qingjing Temple
Qingjing Temple, or Qingjing Mosque, is the oldest existing mosque with Arabic-style architecture in China. Constructed in 1009, it has witnessed the cultural and religious exchanges that took place in Quanzhou throughout history.
Other Top Things to Do in Quanzhou
Tour a local tea farm in Anxi County
Anxi County is the birthplace of one of the most renowned Chinese teas, Tieguanyin. The region has a history of tea production for thousands of years. You can visit a local tea farm, taste Tieguanyin straight from the source, and learn about the tea production process. It’s one of the top things to do on a Quanzhou trip.
Learn about the city’s history at Quanzhou Maritime Museum
Take a Quanzhou culture tour to Quanzhou Maritime Museum. It exhibits the city’s maritime history and culture with exhibitions on ship models, navigation instruments, and trading artifacts. You can learn about the city’s role on the Maritime Silk Road and its connections with other regions at the time.
Visit the famous Luoyang Bridge
Luoyang Bridge is the earliest existing cross-sea girder bridge in China. It was built from 1053 to 1059 during the Song Dynasty. It is a historical wonder about half a mile (731.29 meters) in length with 104 stone lions, seven stone towers, and one stone pavilion. Its history, length, and design have made it one of the four famous ancient bridges in China.
Quanzhou Weather & Best Time to Visit
Located on the southeastern coast of China, Quanzhou has a warm and humid climate year-round. The most rainfall occurs between May and August. This period is also Quanzhou’s typhoon season with heavy rainfall and strong winds.
Quanzhou experiences four distinct seasons. The coldest months are January and February with an average temperature of 9-13°C (48-55°F). July and August are the hottest months ranging from 26 to 29°C (79-84°F). Throughout the year, the temperature difference is not significant, so the city does not experience severe cold or heat.
Read more about Fujian Weather
Best time to visit Quanzhou
The best time to travel to Quanzhou is from October to May, as the city would be in dry season. The rainy season lasts from March to September, which would make it inconvenient for outdoor activities. Summer can be very humid in Quanzhou and have lots of tourists at the attractions.
Quanzhou Transportation
How to get to Quanzhou
By air
You can travel to Quanzhou easily by air from other cities in China. Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport (JJN) is the main airport in the city, about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) from the city center. Airport shuttle buses or taxis can take you to and from the city center.
It connects over 50 domestic and international cities. Domestic flights operate to and from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Kunming, Chongqing, etc. There are also international flights to Quanzhou from Bangkok, Singapore, and other Southeast Asian countries.
By train
Quanzhou has three railway stations, Quanzhou Railway Station, Quanzhou South Railway Station, and Quanzhou East Railway Station. They connect Quanzhou with other cities in China like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou. It’s the easiest way to get around nearby cities like Xiamen and Fuzhou if you’re traveling in Fujian.
By long-distance bus
If you’re in nearby Fujian cities like Xiamen, Putian, and Fuzhou, you can also travel to Quanzhou by long-distance bus. There are three main bus stations, Wanda Bus Station, New Bus Station, and General Bus Station.
How to travel around Quanzhou
At the moment, Quanzhou does not have a metro system. You can get around the city easily through the city bus system for a very cheap price, although it might not be so easy to navigate if you’re traveling to Quanzhou for the first time. Taxis are a lot more convenient with a relatively higher cost.
Read more about Fujian Transportation
Accommodation in Quanzhou
Quanzhou is not a large city, and most tourist attractions are located not far from each other in the city center. There’s a wide range of accommodation options in Quanzhou city center. Find the hotels that suits your budget, and you don’t have to worry too much about getting around.
Our Top Recommended Quanzhou Tours
Other Popular Destinations in Fujian
Xiamen
Fuzhou
Wuyishan
Fujian Tulous
