Homestays in Fujian, China

This place makes me wish there was an option for six stars. I study Asian art for a living, and I travelled to Jianyang to visit the home of Jian ware, classic tea bowls of the Song dynasty (960 to 1279 CE), distinguished by their black and brown glazes. Over the last few decades, firing Jian ware in the Song tradition has been revived in the area. I chose Nanping Colourful Village Homestay because it was in Jianyang, affordable, and accepted international guests. What I found was a luxury resort with all the warmth and personal attention of a homestay. I asked the front desk about an excavated Song kiln site in a nearby village, and the receptionist brought me the manager, who arranged for someone to take me the next day. My driver was Ms. Huang, an employee of the resort whose job involves buying and selling contemporary pieces. She knew everything about Jian ware! The kiln site isn’t run as a tourist site, so I was only able to view it because Ms. Huang arranged for it to be opened for me. I had told them I was vegetarian, so for lunch they took me to lunch at a vegetarian buffet. Then we visited the town’s Jian ware museum, where they have exhibits on the history of tea and Jian ware, historical pieces, and the work of contemporary Jianyang potters. To my delight, Mr. Gao, the potter-in-residence at the resort, uses a Song-style wood-fired dragon kiln, built right on the grounds! His pieces that range from beautiful but quite affordable to exquisite and appropriately expensive. They include both iridescent silvery oil spot and orange-to-black hare’s fur pieces. I am still thrilled that I was able to purchase wood-fired pieces on my limited budget. For dinner, the resort’s restaurant prepared vegetarian versions of Fujian cuisine for me. The food was all delicious, featuring classic Fujianese mountain ingredients like local bamboo and mushrooms. Then we visited Mr. Gao’s dragon kiln, and later his studio, where he experiments with different local clays and glaze recipes. The rich colours and iridescence of Jian ware are the result of the iron-rich local material fired at high temperature, and the results are as unpredictable as they are beautiful. The next day, they drove me to Mr. Chen’s family tea plantation in the mountains, where they grow famous northern Fujian teas. These fine teas were all wonderful, smooth and rich with a touch of smoke, and sometimes fruity in flavour. We strolled through mountainsides of tea bushes and visited groves of centuries-old tea trees. This is a perfect place for an immersive experience in China that is also very comfortable and convenient. I often find tourist experiences in China claustrophobic due to the press of people, but the resort was spacious and airy, and they took me to places where there was no one else but us and the occasional local going about their business. Everyone was very patient with my limited Chinese language skills. They were also happy to work with translator apps on our phones, so if you don’t speak any Chinese, you will be fine. This would be a great place to come as a family. There are gardens and rides for kids right next to the resort. You can learn how to whip Song-style tea and carve your name into the base of your own Jian ware cup. Not far away is a historical theme park with a collection of real architecture from the Ming (1368 to 1644 CE) and Qing (1636 to 1912 CE) dynasties. The employees wear period dress and there are performances and activities. Nearby there are hiking trails, historical sites, and lovely villages to visit. It’s also very close to Wuyi Mountain National Park, so it would be a perfect place to stay if the mountains are your destination. If you ask, they could arrange for you to visit famous sites or take you to breathtaking places that only locals know, whatever you want. They can also arrange transport to and from the train station or airport.

It was great, and check-in was quick. The bed was big and comfortable. It's a shame my family doesn't play mahjong, otherwise we would have played a few rounds!

If you come to Dongshan Island, I sincerely recommend you to stay at Xiyan Seaview B&B!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 In the past, I chose hotels more often when traveling. I was impressed that the experience of B&Bs was not good, but Xiyan Seaview B&B overturned my impression of traditional B&Bs. From arriving at Dongshan Island, the caring housekeeper helped with luggage🧳 and special car pick-up, to the reception of the owner after arriving at the B&B, I felt the meticulousness and enthusiasm of the B&B. The room also prepared afternoon tea snacks. The drinks in the coffee shop of the B&B are very delicious🥤. I recommend everyone to drink it. The coconut crisps in the tea-colored room are also delicious~ I stayed in the ”Yimo” room. The scenery is as beautiful as its name. There is the sea outside the window🌊, the sunset is slanted on the mountain🌇, the sea water and the blue sky merge into one, and I was deeply shocked by this beautiful scenery. The caring boss lady saw that I was traveling alone and helped me take many beautiful photos. It makes me feel that I am not just staying in a B&B, but really feel like home~ Regarding the hardware facilities of the B&B🏨, I didn't take many photos. I am not a professional photographer, and I can't take pictures of the exquisiteness of the B&B. If you want to see it, you can follow their official accounts on a certain audio and a certain book🍠 or the introduction on a certain Cheng. To be honest, Xiyan B&B is different from the B&Bs I have stayed in before. Its hardware facilities are definitely comparable to five-star hotels. Not only is the decoration high-end and atmospheric, but many equipment and furniture are imported. Why do I say it feels like home? I just want to decorate my home according to this standard in the future. The boss of this house is really doing business very attentively. Many small details are considered for customers, which gave me a very pleasant travel experience! ✨✨ When a B&B has no problems with service, human touch, and hardware facilities, it must be a highlight and memory point in your trip. A good B&B can make you very comfortable throughout the journey, and Xiyan Seaview B&B is such an existence. 🥰🥰

Staying at this homestay, it really feels great! The boss is warm and hospitable, please let us eat his own passion fruit and taste his tea. Breakfast is cheap and affordable. Parking is convenient and free. Below the corridor pavilion of the room is the vegetable plot, standing in front of the window can enjoy the pastoral scenery. It is very close to the scenic Huaiyuan Tulou, just a few minutes walk. You can walk from Yunshuiyao Ancient Town. If you come here again in the future, this homestay is the first choice.

The hotel's location is excellent, right on Zhongshan Road, making it very convenient to walk to Zhongshan Road and the Gulangyu ferry terminal. There's a wide variety of shopping and dining options nearby. The room facilities are also great, with a very thoughtful design. The staff are friendly and even escort guests to their rooms to explain how to use the amenities. The only downside is that most rooms don't have proper outward-facing windows; they are either faux windows or face an inner courtyard. Our window faced the inner courtyard and was essentially just for show.

🚧Facilities: The rooms are quite new and spacious, with two floors and a desk, dining table and sofa. The kitchen has a range hood but no stove. 😂The bathroom is a bit small, there is no waterproof mat, and no bath slippers are provided. I hope at least one is provided. There is also no hand soap. The hot water was very hot and the water was very large. 🩹 Hygiene: Fairly clean, except for some shiny stains on the floor under the table and plastic bags under the cupboard, nothing else. 🌲Environment: It is only a 10-minute walk to Guanyinshan Beach and about 3 minutes by car. It is enough to set off around 6 o'clock in the morning to watch the sunrise in late December. There is a Bawangcha Gee, KFC, a Shacha noodle shop and a convenience store downstairs. It is only 5 minutes away from the subway station. ✅Overall, I am quite satisfied. Long-term stay is also available here. It is also good for short-term stay when traveling.

Staying with my family in the Century Heritage Suite at the Shuxiang Wenru Hotel was an amazing all-in-one experience! The traditional Fujian courtyard setting was full of character, preserving the charm of an old residence. The environment was elegant and quiet, and the service was thoughtful and attentive. The配套文儒九号 restaurant, which just received the Ctrip Gourmet Forest 2027 Global High-End Platinum Restaurant award, truly lives up to its reputation. We sampled authentic Min cuisine, and signature dishes like Buddha Jumps Over the Wall and Chicken Soup with Clams were genuinely flavorful and made with fresh ingredients. Hotel guests also receive dining discounts. Located at No. 50 Wenrufang in Sanfang Qixiang, the location is superb. Our family enjoyed a leisurely stroll through the ancient alleys, and both the accommodation and dining were delightful. Highly recommended for family trips! [Strong] [Strong] [Strong]

I enjoyed my stay overall. While the hotel isn’t perfect, it offers great value if you’re looking for a relaxed beach holiday away from the busy tourist areas. Location The hotel is in a peaceful area close to Huangcuo Beach and Xitouxia, with plenty of small local seafood restaurants and traditional Chinese eateries nearby. If you’re not into seafood, there are still a few other dining options within walking distance. It’s about a 30-minute walk to popular cafés like Oncebook Coffee and Snow Peak Café. Further along the beach you’ll also find beach bars such as Breeze Bar and Amoy Beach Bar, where you can enjoy drinks overlooking the ocean. Most of Xiamen’s major attractions, including Shapowei, Zhongshan Road, Gulangyu Ferry Terminal, and MIXC, are around a 20–30 minute taxi ride away, making them easy to reach. Facilities The highlight of the hotel is definitely the swimming pool. It’s clean, relaxing, and has two sun loungers, making it a nice place to unwind after a day of exploring. The hotel doesn’t offer breakfast or have its own restaurant, but there are several places nearby where you can eat. Room The rooms are spacious and nicely designed, with floor-to-ceiling windows that provide beautiful ocean views. The bed is exceptionally comfortable, with soft memory foam pillows, and the air conditioning works very well—something you’ll definitely appreciate during Xiamen’s summer. The bathroom is modern, with a large rainfall shower that has excellent water pressure. There are a few downsides, however. The room could be cleaner, and the hotel provides disposable towels instead of regular bath towels, which wasn’t my favourite. There’s also no minibar or mini fridge, which would have been a welcome addition. Service The reception staff deserve special mention. The gentleman who checked me in was incredibly friendly, welcoming, and went out of his way to make sure I was comfortable throughout my stay. His hospitality left a very positive impression. Final thoughts If you’re looking for a quiet beachside stay with comfortable rooms, beautiful ocean views, and don’t mind taking a taxi to Xiamen’s main attractions, this hotel is a solid choice. Just don’t expect luxury facilities or a full-service resort experience.

Facilities: Very complete, the hairdryer was great, and the illuminated makeup mirror by the entrance was a nice touch. Ambiance: Seaview room with excellent natural light. Service: The staff were very accommodating. Cleanliness: Exceptionally clean, the bedding, living room, and bathroom were all bright and spotless.

I usually do not choose homestay when other modes are available. However in Yunshuiyao homestay is the only choice. Given that 1949 has to preserve the local architecture do not expect 5 star hotel facilities. For all the constraints of a ”min su” the staff do go the distance to ensure they meet the demands of guests. I checked out a happy guest and will recommend 1949 to other travelers.