I used to think Quanzhou was beautiful enough, until I discovered Zhangzhou! A 3-day in-depth travel guide to avoid the crowds and still eat well

People always say Quanzhou is Fujian’s treasure, but after visiting Zhangzhou, I realized it actually hides even cheaper, tastier, and less crowded deep travel experiences! Explore the ancient city, islands, and tulou in 3 days, with a comprehensive list of off-the-beaten-path routes, perfect for National Day or weekend trips. Zhangzhou 3 days 2 nights core itinerary (no rushing through) - Day 1: Wenchang Gate → Zhongmin Department Store Building (for panoramic views of the ancient city) → Zhangzhou Ancient City (Citywalk) → Zhongshan Park → Haixi Bowen Ancient City Store Terrace (for photos of the Catholic Church) → Yang Sao Literature Museum → Bo’ai West Road (for photos of Weizhen Pavilion) → Zhongshan Bridge for night views - Day 2: Ancient Tulou Cluster → Dongshan Island (stay in a sky tent on the island for easy next-day island tour) - Day 3: Dongshan Island (island tour) → Nanshan Ancient City → Zhangzhou Shima Hougang Ancient Street (stay until evening for night views) Must-visit spots: More than just photo ops, they capture the soul of Zhangzhou 1. Zhangzhou Ancient City: The top choice for Citywalk! Follow the route to avoid getting lost—Wenchang Gate → Department Store Building → Zhongshan Park → Yan’an South Road → Puppet Art Museum → Beijing Road → Taiwan Road → Ancient City Memory Museum → Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Hall → Lantern Riddle Art Museum → Youth Road → Stone Archway → Hong Kong Road → Confucian Temple → Yan’an Road. Highlight: Take the sightseeing elevator to the 12th floor of Zhongmin Department Store Building for a panoramic view of the entire ancient city; during National Day, you can also watch the Shiting Stilts performance, which is very atmospheric. 2. Nanshan Ancient City: A “living history” from the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties! Built by the Lin clan, the city features one city, one pond, three streets, and six alleys well preserved, even the Ming dynasty toilets remain. If you love ancient villages and digging into historical details, don’t miss this spot—few people and great for photos. 3. Zhangzhou Shima Hougang Ancient Street: The “Little Jiangnan” hidden in Zhangzhou! Small bridges and flowing water surround the ancient street. Visit Jinjiang Academy, Shima Opera House, and Storytelling Hall. It’s even more charming when the lights come on at dusk, and every snapshot looks like a Jiangnan masterpiece. 4. Fujian Tulou (choose 1 to avoid crowds and focus on highlights) - Option 1: Yunshuiyao Ancient Town (Xun Chun’s home) + Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster (filming location for “Big Fish & Begonia”’s “Four Dishes and One Soup”), visit the ancient town in the morning for fresh air, and see the tulou wonders in the afternoon. Tickets are 90 RMB per person each. - Option 2: Hua’an Dadi Tulou Cluster, the pinnacle of Fujian’s double-ring round tulou, known as the “King of Tulou” alongside Yongding Chengqi Lou. Tickets are only 65 RMB per person. On holidays, you can also watch the Gaoshan ethnic group’s hand-in-hand dance and top-spinning, offering better value. - Tip: It’s recommended to self-drive to both tulou sites for more flexible routes without rushing for buses. 5. Dongshan Island (filming location for “The Left Ear,” full of healing vibes) - Transportation: Self-driving is most convenient; take the high-speed train to Yunxiao Station, then a 35 km taxi ride. - Island tour route: Nanmen Bay → Left Ear Rooftop → Double-sided Sea → Sufeng Mountain, a romantic journey of sea and wind. - Photo tips: Nanmen Bay Rainbow Wall (navigate to “One Mountain One Sea Homestay”), Yanya Lover’s Reef (must visit at low tide), Aojiao Village White Lighthouse—every shot is an island masterpiece. Zhangzhou Food: A no-fail list, eat your fill for about 20 RMB per person - Must-try top 3: Four Fruit Soup (a great palate cleanser, even better with taro balls), Afang Braised Noodles (rich braised flavor, add any toppings you like), Yuanquan Songyue Sheng Tang (fresh ingredients, soup so good you’ll lick the bowl). All are affordable, and you can find local favorite shops easily on the streets and alleys, all with great taste.