We have been planning to visit Fujian for years. Our itinerary around this beautiful province initially included Fuzhou, Xiamen, Fujian Tulou, and Wuyishan. But before finalizing our route, we checked to see what other UNESCO sites there were in the region.
That’s how we discovered Quanzhou. This historic city was the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road and one of the places that Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta visited on their long journeys. From the 11th to the 14th century, it was one of China’s main ports, and many monuments from that period still stand today.
Among the numerous historic temples, four are particularly worth visiting. There is also a very old mosque, a beautiful park with a lake, and plenty of historic houses. One of the oldest bridges in the country is here, too. Quanzhou is an off-the-beaten-path destination you shouldn’t miss.
Visit the Kaiyuan Temple
If you only have time to visit one place in Quanzhou, it has to be the Kaiyuan Temple. The largest temple in Fujian covers an area of 28,000 m² (301,389 sq. ft.). You’ll easily recognize it by its two almost identical pagodas. They are the tallest stone pagodas in China!
The original temple dates back to the late 7th century, when the Tang dynasty ruled much of China. It was renovated using stone during the Song dynasty. It is also one of the few temples in China containing Hindu artifacts.
Due to its size and the large number of buildings and spaces to explore, it will take you some time to visit this temple. You must not skip Daxiongbao Hall, where five cardinal male and female Buddhas are enshrined.
People-Watch on Xijie and Nearby Streets
Xijie, or West Street, is the heart and soul of Quanzhou. This is one of the city’s oldest streets, dating back 1,300 years. Though its full length reaches 1.7 kilometers (1 mile), the main section covers a distance of roughly 750 meters (2,460 feet). That’s the part that has been converted into a pedestrian zone.
The pedestrian section starts in the east at the Bell Tower and ends in the west at Kaiyuan Temple. It’s a mix of historic and less interesting architecture, filled with shops, cafés, and restaurants. The whole city comes here to walk, talk, and take selfies in their costumes.
If you want to escape the crowds, venture north or south of the street. The farther you go, the fewer people you’ll encounter. The whole area is a labyrinth of narrow streets with cute shops and restaurants offering local and national delicacies.
Explore the Confucian Temple
An interesting route you could take is south of West Street, along Haogouqian Road. Once you cross the wide Zhuangfu Lane, continue straight for 100 meters (330 feet) until you see the small pedestrianized Jinyu Alley. Turn left, and after a couple of minutes, you will arrive at the Confucian Temple.
Originally built during the Song dynasty, it was expanded and reconstructed under the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. For a long time, it was the most important educational institution in Quanzhou.
Bear in mind that this is the largest Confucian temple in southeastern China, so you’ll need some time to explore it. The most impressive building is the main Dacheng Hall, which resembles an imperial hall. Spend some time in the square in front of the temple, where locals come to enjoy their free time.
Visit the Qingjing Mosque
Very few cities in China have such an impressive historic mosque as Quanzhou. The Qingjing Mosque is the only mosque in China with a stone entrance and is one of the oldest mosques still standing in the country.
The mosque was originally known as Masjid al-Ashab and was dedicated to the companions of Prophet Muhammad. It was completed in 1009 CE but acquired its present form in 1310.
Unfortunately, very little of the historic structure remains: the main Gate Tower, several walls and pillars of the Prayer Hall, and the much newer Mingshan Hall. Don’t miss the tablets describing the history of the mosque.
Visit the Guanyue Temple
Just a step away from the Qingjing Mosque, we find the Guanyue Temple. Many locals and tourists come here to pray, so you’ll need to find your way around without disturbing them.
The temple was originally built during the Song dynasty to honor the general Guan Yu. In 1914, it was expanded to honor another general, Yue Fei.
Guanyue Temple consists of three main halls adorned with colorful wood and stone carvings, clay sculptures, and porcelain figures. Try to visit in the evening to see its beautifully illuminated red lanterns.
Admire Historic Architecture on Zhongshan Road
One of our first impressions of Quanzhou Old Town was that it’s a mix of interesting historic architecture and less appealing buildings from the late 20th century. However, some streets are much nicer than others.
Zhongshan Road is another ancient commercial street you must visit. It starts next to Zhongshan Park in the north and runs all the way to the Jinjiang River in the south. The aforementioned Bell Tower stands at its intersection with West Street.
This is probably Quanzhou’s most beautiful street. Many of its historic houses with arcades have been preserved and recently refurbished. The typical arcade house is called a Qilou and has two to four floors, with shops and restaurants on the ground floor. Its style and decoration are a perfect blend of East and West.
Visit the Temple of the Queen of Heaven
If you are still not tired of Buddhist temples, we suggest paying a visit to Tianhou Temple, also known as the Temple of the Queen of Heaven. It is one of the oldest and largest Mazu shrines in southeastern China.
The temple is located on a large square right next to Zhongshan Road. The square is home to the Dejimen Relic Site, one of the main city gates during the Song dynasty.
It’s an asymmetrical complex built along a north-south axis. Its most interesting relics are stone pillars from an old Hindu temple. Also worth visiting is the Fujian-Taiwan Relations History Museum.
Spend Time in the West Lake Park
Every major Chinese city has a large park with a lake. The one in Quanzhou is known as Xi Hu, or West Lake Park. The 100-hectare (250-acre) park is home to the largest artificial lake in Fujian.
The lake occupies most of the park’s area. There is a large island in the middle, Peach Blossom Island, connected to the shore by three pedestrian bridges. The longest one has 21 arches.
The lush green island features Hokkien-style pavilions and different gardens filled with seasonal flowers. The main tower, Citong Pavilion, offers some of the best views of Quanzhou.
Walk across Luoyang Bridge
One of the oldest bridges in China is only a short distance from Quanzhou. Luoyang Bridge is an impressive stone bridge located at the estuary of the Luoyang River.
The original bridge, completed in 1059, has been reconstructed several times. It is 1,200 meters long and has 46 arches. There’s a small island with a temple in the middle, as well as many interesting sculptures.
While the bridge is a pretty popular tourist attraction, the nearby Qiaonan pedestrian street often gets overlooked. Take some time to walk around, and don’t forget to look out for the various ancestral temples. The Zhonghui Caigong Ancestral Temple is the most impressive one.
Spend Your Evening in Ling Show World
If you want to be at the center of all the evening activities, you need to visit Ling Show TianDi (Ling Show World). The complex occupies a former industrial area where 38 old factories were converted into a retail and entertainment complex.
The whole area is a mix of industrial heritage and small- and large-scale street art. There are sculptures, graffiti, and temporary art installations.
One of our favorite restaurant chains in China, Commune, is here. They offer delicious Western food and a large selection of craft beers and wines. The only gay bar in Quanzhou is here, too.
Where to Stay in Quanzhou
Though Quanzhou is a city of enormous proportions, most of its attractions are concentrated in a relatively small area. Thus, staying close to the Old Town makes perfect sense.
There are no international hotel chains in the Old Town, but since Chinese hotels have improved tremendously over the past decade, you can comfortably stay in one of them. Wild Luxury Hotel, just off West Street, is a great option. You’ll love its beautiful garden, pool, and open-air cinema.
We decided to stick to international brands and were delighted with our stay at Hilton Quanzhou Riverside. We loved the impressive views from our enormous suite and the gorgeous spa with an indoor pool. The neighborhood was great, too, packed with cafés and restaurants.
