I’ve always loved ancient cities. I love Roma, and I’ve visited Kyoto many times. Once the benchmark is set so high, I start to wonder whether other cities might struggle to hold my interest. Yet Quanzhou still managed to surprise me in new ways.
It was one of the first cities in China where Eastern and Western cultures met and intertwined. It feels like an ideal world — where people of different skin colours, beliefs, and ways of life could live side by side, in understanding and mutual respect.
Quanzhou is also the birthplace of the artist Cai Guo-Qiang, known for magnificent fireworks arts.
And I love this Taiwanese album — rich in the spirit of southern Fujian: 🎵 The Night March of the Chrysanthemums, by Labor Exchange Band (交工樂隊)
If you do plan a trip to Quanzhou, I’d recommend avoiding Chinese public holidays. The best weather usually begins in late Oct.
Unfortunately, as of the time of writing, Quanzhou Airport (JJN) does not have any intercontinental direct flights. You’ll need to transfer via another city in China or elsewhere in Asia. Among the cities with available connections, I’m particularly fond of Taiyuan, Xi’an, Guiyang, Kunming, and Chengdu, as well as 🇰🇭 Phnom Penh (KTI) and 🇲🇾 Kuala Lumpur (KUL）— all of which are well worth visiting.
🏠 Where to stay
The old town area of Quanzhou is compact (6.41 km²).
So if nothing takes your fancy within the area, staying just outside is perfectly fine.
I stayed at LAN Inn (泉州三品·岚厝 西街古城店), in a panoramic double room on the second floor. It’s right by Jinyu Street — a wonderful location. The interior is new and spotless, and the view of the old street outside is beautiful.
✨ My favourites
Kaiyuan Temple 开元寺 – there’s so much worth lingering over, beautifully shows how different cultures lived together peacefully in Quanzhou, respecting and blending with one another.
Chengtian Temple 承天禅寺 – pure spiritual devotion. I arrived at dusk, just as 📹 an evening service was starting—perfect timing.
- Confucian Temple 文庙 – quiet and peaceful. I’d recommend visiting near closing time, around 4-5pm, when it’s especially calm.
Tour with Ms. Li Lin 李琳, at the Quanzhou Maritime Museum – her love for Quanzhou’s cultural history is truly catching. If you’re tired of doing homework, I’d really recommend catching her tour first. Not only does it give you a much more grounded sense of the place, she also points you towards the more local, lesser-known spots that are actually worth your time. Ms Li mentioned that some foreign visitors bring interpreters to her talks— which honestly seems well worth it. With today’s AI translation apps, it’s easier than ever.
Xiangli Vintage 巷鲤旧物 – Hidden in an old alley, lovely nostalgic atmosphere.
💡 If you plan to follow the classic route — Kaiyuan Temple → Qingjing Mosque → Guanyue Temple — I’d suggest leaving your heavy pro camera behind. Photography isn’t allowed inside most halls. So it’s probably best to travel light and just enjoy the experience.
To be honest, my first impression of Quanzhou wasn’t great
Beautiful historical buildings, but filled with identical chain shops clearly aimed at tourists. A familiar story in many popular travel destinations nowadays, unfortunately.
Xijie, Jinyu Street, Shuimen Street （西街、金鱼街、水门街） – Xijie in particular has become overly commercial: loud music, people touting for business — not my kind of place. In hindsight, I spent too long there. Half a day, or simply an evening stroll after dinner, would’ve been enough.
🚗 Getting around
I’d recommend using DiDi or similar ride-hailing apps. Looking back, I wish I’d rented a bicycle, spending a few days cycling around the old town.
There are also Quanzhou’s little white shuttle bus — but they only run within the old town area, not always on demand. Sometimes you might wait half an hour only to find they’re full.
🍽️ Food
Personally, I found the food in Quanzhou is heavier than I expected. Interestingly, much of the “Chinese food delivery” popular in the US actually is Minnan-style cuisine. Quanzhou is also featured in the Michelin Guide, and these two stood out to me.
.阿秋牛排（湖心街店）
.好厅·泉州菜·闽南小馆 (鲤城店)
Although the Michelin Guide is one of the more objective benchmarks, I wouldn’t rely on it entirely — a couple of places (under 2 stars) I tried were meh 😔. It’s a good idea to ask a friendly-looking local for recommendations; that can often lead to hidden gems.
Quanzhou reminds me a little of Kyoto.
Overtourism does erode the soul of ancient cities — even Kyoto’s Kamo River’s beauty is now marred by litter. But if you’re drawn to temples, churches, architecture — and are willing to look beyond the “must-see spots” — both cities reveal a quiet, hidden beauty that you’ll fall deeply in love with.
Wish you have a great time exploring Quanzhou.
Cheers
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