Thought Quanzhou Would Be a Hidden Gem—Reality Hit HARD!

#discoverchina I figured Quanzhou, which earned UNESCO World Heritage status three years ago, would’ve cooled off as a tourist spot and make for a good reverse travel destination. Turns out… nope! 😂 From the stone-paved West Street to the Arab arches of Qingjing Mosque, from the ancient twin towers of Kaiyuan Temple to the crashing waves at Luojia Temple—this city doesn’t just have history, it lives it. Quanzhou is still full of charm and absolutely not passé! So here’s a guide to help you dodge the crowds and explore deeper—real, tested tips for busy holidays! 🌟 📅 Day 1: Old Quanzhou City Walk Route: Kaiyuan Temple → Xiangfeng Alley → Youli Rooftop → Baishui Haoxi → Bell Tower → Zhongshan Road → Qingjing Mosque → Tonghuai Guan Yue Temple Kaiyuan Temple: Capture that Black Monkey King (TV drama) shot. Go early for red walls + banyan tree by the West Pagoda without the crowds. Rooftop Views: Rooftop photo spots on West Street are 🔥—but usually packed! Youli Rooftop and Baishui Haoxi are more unique, require a small spend but less crowded. Jiezi Bookstore: A lovely vintage shop with all kinds of quirky finds. 📚🕰️ Qingjing Mosque: Famous Journey to the West filming location. Entry is ¥3, but you can get a feel from just outside. Guan Yue Temple: A popular temple for wealth blessings. Don’t get scared off by the crowd—just prep your kau cim ritual ahead of time. You can even get a beaded bracelet blessed! Food Stop: Wu Shuzhen Mianxianhu—look for braised intestines + freshly fried youtiao. Absolute must! 🍜🥢 🌴 Day 2: Wulin Village – Shishi Golden Coast – Luojia Temple Quanzhou isn’t just ancient streets! There are stunning red-brick homes and even a National Geographic–featured coastline 🌊 💡 Tip: Rent a car—cabs here can be pricey. Wulin Traditional Village: Rent a Peranakan outfit (¥40/hr), and take retro shots in front of the Chaodong Building. Grab some coconut cake and white coffee at the Nanyang Café, sit under the arcade, and soak in the local life. It’s like watching living history. 📸👘 Luojia Temple: The temple in the sea! 📍Check tide times before you go—when the tide’s in, the reef gets flooded and you can’t walk out. There’s a Guanyin statue across from the temple that’s great for getting a photo of the "temple rising from the sea" view. 🏛️ Day 3: Museum Day Quanzhou is more than just pretty scenery—it’s deeply cultural. For your final day, slow down and dive into: Quanzhou Museum Quanzhou Maritime Museum (闽台缘博物馆) #thingstodo #travel