Quanzhou, a city rich in cultural heritage, offers a diverse array of attractions. Here’s a breakdown of its three primary lines of exploration:
1. The Old City District: This region is a treasure trove of historical temples and landmarks, including Chengtian Temple, Xijie Street, Kaiyuan Temple, Guandi Temple, Qingjing Temple, Wenmiao, and Tianhou Temple. To fully appreciate its beauty and depth, a half-day visit is recommended. During the pre-Qingming Festival period, the area was abuzz with locals, and the chanting of sutras in some temples added a serene and calming atmosphere.
2. Museums: Quanzhou boasts a range of museums, including the Quanzhou Museum, Puppet Theater, Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum, Overseas Traffic Museum, and Nanshaolin Temple. These institutions require a leisurely visit, preferably with a guided tour for a deeper understanding of the city’s history and folklore. However, those uninterested in these aspects may opt to skip.
3. Peripheral Sites: Luoga Temple, Xinpu Village, and Wulin Ancient Village are prime spots for photography enthusiasts. While a visit to any of these locations would be rewarding, Luoga Temple, situated amidst the sea, offers a particularly scenic experience. Given our two-day itinerary, we managed to cover all these places, utilizing a combination of rental cars, taxis, and street hailing. Overall, taxis and street hailing provided convenient transportation, whereas driving oneself could be challenging due to the intricate roads and limited parking in the old city.
As for food, Quanzhou offers a delectable array of dishes that are not only affordable but also worth trying. From the silky texture of Mianxianhu (noodle soup) to the crispy taste of Yutoubing (taro cake), Jiangmuya (ginger duck), Huashengtang (peanut soup), Siguotang (four-fruit soup), Qiancenggao (thousand-layer cake), Quantoumu (fist-shaped dumplings), Shuiwan (water dumplings), Yanjiao (swallow-shaped dumplings), Niurou (beef dishes), Yongchongzhi (garlic-flavored branches), Yanzhishuiguo (preserved fruits), Rouzong (glutinous rice dumplings), Ganbanmian (dry noodles), Caiguo (vegetable cakes), Suzhai (vegetarian cuisine), to the freshness of seafood, each dish offers a unique flavor experience.
If you’re planning a visit during the Qingming Festival, be prepared for the city’s strong religious atmosphere. #Quanzhou #AdventureTravel #Temples #Mazu #Wenmiao #Taoism
