Quanzhou

Explore Quanzhou with just 1000 RMB per person! 3 days 2 nights pitfall avoidance guide｜Half city of fireworks, half city of fairy tales 🌌 Who knows! Quanzhou’s romance is hidden in the smoky old arcade streets, in the incense of ancient temples thousands of years old. It’s not overly commercialized, just a slow-paced comfort to the bone～ Personally tested: 3 days 2 nights with 1000 RMB per person, avoiding 90% of the traps, and experiencing the most authentic fun! Day 1: Old Town Citywalk｜Where Fireworks and Faith Intertwine Get up early and rush to West Street at 8 AM! Avoid the crowds to snap photos at the “Quanzhou” poster wall and the bell tower, then head into Kaiyuan Temple to see the red walls reflecting the twin pagodas. The tranquility of the Master Hongyi Memorial Hall is incredibly healing✨ Don’t eat snacks on the main street of West Street! Turn into Houcheng Street to try Shuimen Guozai Mianxian (vermicelli soup) with vinegar pork + large intestine for only 6 RMB. Pair it with a fried dough stick for the local breakfast ritual～ In the afternoon, walk around the “City of Gods”: free incense at Guanyue Temple, fortune-telling and interpretation only 2 RMB (don’t trust the scalpers outside the temple); Qingjing Mosque has a 3 RMB entrance fee to experience Islamic culture, just wear clothes that cover the knees—no need to rent extra robes; the red walls and Pan Pool at the Confucian Temple are picture-perfect, quiet and less crowded. At dusk, take a 2 RMB little white bus (wave to stop) to Zhongshan Road, shoot vintage-style photos under the arcade sunset, and have dinner at the main branch of Sidan Ginger Duck. The duck stewed in a clay pot is tender and flavorful, paired with a bowl of salty rice that’s so good you’ll lick the plate! Day 2: Xunpu Flower Pinning + Wulin Nanyang Style｜Immersive Photo Experience Arrive at Xunpu Village before 9 AM! Walk inside to avoid the popular shops at the entrance. For 40 RMB, you can get flower pinning + costumes. The oyster shell houses and docks are natural backdrops, and on sunny days, photos come with built-in filters～ Remember to refuse extra flowers pushed by the aunties, then head straight back to the city for lunch! At noon, go to Tumen Street to eat Haochengcai Steak. The tender steak with rich braised sauce mixed with rice can easily fill two big bowls～ In the afternoon, rush to Jinjiang Wulin Traditional Village, with century-old red brick Western-style buildings and gun towers giving a strong Nanyang vibe. There are far fewer people than at Wudian Market, so you won’t have duplicate shots. When tired, find a café in an old house to rest. In the evening, you can choose the Quanzhou Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum light show (starts at 7:30 PM), which has a more cultural atmosphere than the popular night market, or go to Qunzhong Beef Snacks for oyster omelet as a late-night snack—so fresh it’ll blow your mind! Day 3: Coastal and Old Flavors Finale｜Full Healing Vibes In the morning, head to Luojia Temple in Shishi! Be sure to check the tide schedule. When the tide is high, the temple is surrounded by seawater, truly a “Buddhist kingdom on the sea.” Be careful taking photos on the rocks (bring a jacket if it’s windy)～ The Golden Coast beach is average, so focus on shooting Luojia Temple! In the afternoon, return to the city to buy souvenirs: Linji Zhengquanmao mung bean cakes and Meng’s garlic branches are local favorites, half the price of specialty stores on West Street; if you have time, visit Yuanhe 1916 Creative Park, a cultural and creative area transformed from old factories, great for photos and coffee too～ 📝 Essential Pitfall Avoidance Checklist (Save to avoid mistakes!) ✅ Transportation: From Quanzhou Station, take K602 bus directly to the city. In the old town, rely on the little white bus (2 RMB per ride), more convenient and no traffic jams compared to taxis. Avoid illegal taxis at the train station! ✅ Accommodation: Prioritize staying in the core area of Licheng District (near West Street/Tumen Street). You can find guesthouses with terraces for about 150 RMB per person. Avoid Fubridge and Donghai areas—they’re too far!