Xiamen and Quanzhou Tour

Xiamen and Quanzhou, two popular cities in Southern Fujian, offer both coastal charm and rich history, making them ideal travel destinations. Below is a detailed travel guide: --- ### **1. Suggested Itinerary** **Xiamen (3 days)** - **Day 1: In-depth Gulangyu Island Tour** - Morning: Take a ferry to Gulangyu Island (book tickets in advance on the "Xiamen Ferry" official WeChat account), visit Sunlight Rock, Shuzhuang Garden, and Haoyue Garden. - Afternoon: Stroll along Longtou Road Snack Street, visit the Piano Museum, the most beautiful corner, and Gangzai Back Beach. - Evening: Return to Xiamen Island and have dinner at Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street. - **Day 2: Classic Xiamen Island Route** - Morning: Pray at Nanputuo Temple → Xiamen University (reservation required) → Ding'aozai Cat Street. - Afternoon: Shapowei Art Zone → cycling along the Huandao Road (Baicheng Beach → Zengcuoan → Huangcuo Beach). - Evening: Explore the night market in Zengcuoan or enjoy seafood at the Eighth Market. - **Day 3: Nature and Art Experience** - Morning: Wanshi Botanical Garden (Rainforest Zone, Succulent Plant Zone). - Afternoon: Take the Zhonggu Cableway for a panoramic view → Jimei School Village (Tan Kah Kee architecture, Dragon Boat Pond). - Evening: Watch the sunset at Jimei Da She or Haiwan Park. --- **Quanzhou (2 days)** - **Day 4: Quanzhou Ancient City Culture** - Morning: Kaiyuan Temple (East and West Pagodas) → West Street snacks → Clock Tower → Xiaoxicheng. - Afternoon: Qingjing Mosque (Islamic ruins) → Guandi Temple → Tianhou Temple. - Evening: Experience the flower hairpins and take photos of fisherwomen in Xunpu Village. - **Day 5: In-depth Peripheral Tour** - Morning: Qingyuan Mountain (Laojun Rock, Nantai Rock overlooking Quanzhou). - Afternoon: Luoyang Bridge (ancient Song Dynasty bridge) or Wudian City Traditional Block in Jinjiang. - Evening: Return trip or watch Quanzhou Marionette Show (intangible cultural heritage performance). --- ### **2. Transportation Guide** - **Xiamen → Quanzhou:** - **High-speed Train:** 20 minutes direct, ticket price around CNY 25. - **Self-driving:** 1.5 hours, good highway conditions. - **Bus:** Xiamen Fanghu Bus Station → Quanzhou Passenger Transport Center Station, about 2 hours. - **City Transportation:** - Xiamen: subway lines 1/2, bus, shared bikes; Quanzhou: Xiaobai electric cars (hail and ride), shared e-bikes. --- ### **3. Must-try Food** **Xiamen** - **Special snacks:** Satay noodles, peanut soup, sipunculid worm jelly, oyster omelet, ginger duck. - **Recommended restaurants:** - Eighth Market: A Jie Five Spice, Yousheng Local Snacks. - Zhongshan Road: Huang Zehe Peanut Soup, Yuehua Satay Noodles. - Zengcuoan: Mushroom Legend, Minzong Rice Noodle Rolls. **Quanzhou** - **Special snacks:** Misua paste, meat dumplings, Four Fruit Soup, Runbing (spring rolls), vinegar-flavored pork. - **Recommended restaurants:** - West Street: Grandma Hou's Meat Dumplings, Wu's Handmade Rice Cakes. - Tianhou Temple: Bingzhengtang Agar Jelly. - Tumen Street: Hao Cheng Cai Steak House. --- ### **4. Accommodation Recommendations** - **Xiamen:** - Zhongshan Road/Ferry: Convenient transportation, suitable for shopping and eating (Recommended hotel: Lujiang Hotel). - Zengcuoan: Gathering place for art-themed homestays, near Huandao Road (Recommended: Oneday Peppermint Designer Homestay). - **Quanzhou:** - Near West Street: Experience the lively atmosphere of the ancient city (Recommended: Quanzhou Wuji Homestay). - At the foot of Qingyuan Mountain: Quiet environment (Recommended: Qingyuan Mountain Tea House). --- ### **5. Travel Tips** 1. **Gulangyu Ferry Tickets:** Purchase 2 days in advance during peak season, choose "Xiagu Wharf → Sanqiutian Wharf". 2. **Sun and Mosquito Protection:** Xiamen's coastal area has strong UV rays, and Quanzhou's old alleys have many mosquitoes. 3. **Cultural Experiences:** - Quanzhou: Book intangible cultural heritage marionette shows in advance (Official WeChat account: Quanzhou Marionette Art Heritage Protection Center). - Xunpu Village flower hairpins: around CNY 40/person, including costumes and photo props. 4. **Avoid Crowds:** Gulangyu Island and West Street are crowded during holidays, it is recommended to go early and return late. 5. **Souvenirs:** Xiamen pie, Quanzhou garlic bread, Tieguanyin tea, traditional pastries. --- ### **6. Budget Reference (per person)** - **Transportation:** CNY 500-800 (including intercity transportation). - **Accommodation:** CNY 300-600/night (mid-range homestay/hotel). - **Food:** CNY 100-150/day. - **Tickets:** Gulangyu combined ticket CNY 90, Qingyuan Mountain CNY 70, other attractions are mostly free. --- Xiamen and Quanzhou share similar Southern Fujian characteristics, yet each has its own unique charm: Xiamen is romantic and artistic, while Quanzhou is ancient and simple. Plan your itinerary wisely and experience the blend of mountains, seas, and history!