Zhangzhou Attractions Guide: Tulou, Dongshan Island, Volcano & Ancient Town

Zhangzhou Attractions Guide

Zhangzhou is located in southern Fujian Province, just a 30‑minute high‑speed train ride from Xiamen. It is home to the UNESCO‑listed Fujian Tulou, stunning islands, a living ancient city, and unique volcanic landscapes – yet it is quieter, more natural, and cheaper than Xiamen. If you have already been to Xiamen or want to explore a more authentic side of Fujian, Zhangzhou is your next destination. This guide recommends the best attractions in Zhangzhou to help you plan your trip.

1. Fujian Tulou (UNESCO World Heritage)

Fujian Tulou are the most famous attractions in Zhangzhou and among Fujian’s most iconic cultural symbols. These large, round or square rammed‑earth buildings were built by the Hakka and Minnan people during the Song and Yuan dynasties for communal living and defense. In 2008, Fujian Tulou were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Zhangzhou has several Tulou clusters. The most worthwhile to visit are:

Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster (“Four Dishes and One Soup”)

The Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster consists of one square tulou, three round tulou, and one oval tulou. From the observation deck on the hilltop, they look like a table of dishes – the square one like a plate, the round ones like bowls – hence the nickname “Four Dishes and One Soup.” This is the most representative image of Fujian Tulou, often seen in promotional photos.

Location: Shuyang Town, Nanjing County
Ticket: About 90 RMB (includes shuttle bus)
Visit duration: 1.5–2 hours
Highlights: View the full cluster from upper and lower observation decks; walk inside the tulou to see residents’ daily life.

Yuchang Lou (“Leaning Tower”)

Yuchang Lou was built in 1308, making it one of the oldest tulou in China. Its unique feature is that some of its pillars are visibly tilted – some at up to 15 degrees – yet they have stood firmly for over 700 years. Locals joke that it is “leaning in all directions but never falls.”

Location: Xiaoban Village, Shuyang Town, Nanjing County (about 10 minutes’ drive from Tianluokeng)
Ticket: About 50 RMB (separate ticket or included in a combo)
Visit duration: 40 minutes
Highlights: See the tilted pillars; the “Yin‑Yang Well” inside the building, with clear water.

Hekeng Tulou Cluster

Compared to Tianluokeng, the Hekeng Tulou Cluster has far fewer tourists and is much quieter. More than ten tulou of different shapes are scattered in a valley. From the observation deck, they are arranged like the Big Dipper constellation. This is suitable for travelers who prefer photography and a peaceful experience.

Location: Hekeng Village, Shuyang Town, Nanjing County
Ticket: About 50 RMB
Visit duration: 1–1.5 hours
Highlights: Less crowded; climb to the observation deck for a panoramic photo.

How to get to the Tulou:

From Zhangzhou city: Take a direct bus from Zhangzhou Bus Center to Nanjing Tulou (a few buses daily, about 1.5 hours).
From Xiamen: Take a direct bus from Xiamen Hubin South Bus Station to the tulou (about 2.5 hours), or take a bullet train to Nanjing Station and then transfer.
Private car/day tour: The most convenient option – about 300–500 RMB per day.

2. Dongshan Island

Dongshan Island is the most beautiful island in Zhangzhou, often called the “Maldives of Fujian.” It has azure blue water, white sand beaches, and unique rock formations. Transportation on the island is convenient – you can rent an electric scooter to tour around.

Wind‑Swaying Rock Scenic Area

Wind‑Swaying Rock is the symbol of Dongshan Island. A huge granite boulder rests on another rock, with only a small contact area. It sways slightly in the wind but has stood for a thousand years. The scenic area also includes the Dongshan Guandi Temple (built in the Ming dynasty) and the Huang Daozhou Memorial Hall.

Ticket: About 60 RMB
Visit duration: 1.5 hours

Maluan Bay

Maluan Bay is the best natural beach on Dongshan Island. The sand is gentle and fine, the water clear. It is suitable for swimming, beach volleyball, sailing, and other water sports. There are restaurants and changing rooms on the shore.

Ticket: Free (some facilities charge)
Visit duration: 2–3 hours

Sufeng Mountain Ring Road

This is a coastal highway along the southeastern coast of Dongshan Island, about 17 km (10.5 miles) long. The blue railings, black pavement, blue sea, and green hills create a beautiful scene. You can rent an electric scooter to ride along the road, with several viewing platforms for stopping and taking photos.

Ticket: Free
Visit duration: 1–2 hours (by scooter)

How to get to Dongshan Island:

From Zhangzhou city: Take a bus to Dongshan Island (about 2 hours, fare about 40 RMB).
From Xiamen: Xiamen Fanghu Bus Station has direct buses to Dongshan Island (about 3 hours).
On the island: Rent an electric scooter (about 40–60 RMB/day) or take local buses.

3. Zhangzhou Ancient City

Zhangzhou Ancient City is located in the center of Zhangzhou city. It is a living historical and cultural district that has not been overly commercialized. It preserves traditional Minnan architecture from the Ming and Qing dynasties, red brick arcade buildings, ancient memorial arches, and stone streets. Unlike ancient towns like Lijiang or Fenghuang, Zhangzhou Ancient City is still where residents live, so you can experience authentic Minnan daily life.

Ticket: Free
Visit duration: 2–3 hours

Main highlights:

Taiwan Road and Hong Kong Road: The two oldest commercial streets, retaining arcade style from the Republican period.
Zhangzhou Confucian Temple: First built in the Song dynasty, one of the largest Confucian temples in Fujian – free entry.
Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Hall: Displays traditional skills such as Zhangzhou puppetry, glove puppetry, and paper cutting.
Time‑honored snack shops: You can also taste Lu Mian, Shou Zhua Mian, mochi, Si Guo Tang, etc.

How to get there: Take a bus to “Zhangzhou Ancient City” or “Zhongshan Park” station, or take a taxi from Zhangzhou Station (about 15 minutes).

4. Volcanic Island Natural Ecological Scenic Area

Volcanic Island is located in Zhangpu County. It is China’s only coastal volcanic geomorphology scenic area. Here you can see black basalt column groups, sea erosion caves, and lava platforms formed by volcanic eruptions 17 million years ago. In addition to the geological landscapes, the scenic area also has several popular photo spots: a pink Monument Valley maze, Rainbow Hill, and a seaside swing – great for taking pictures.

Ticket: About 60–80 RMB (internal sightseeing bus extra 20 RMB)
Visit duration: 3–4 hours
Location: Qianting Town, Zhangpu County (about 1.5 hours’ drive from Zhangzhou city)

Highlights:

Volcanic rock columns: Hexagonal black basalt columns arranged neatly, like a giant honeycomb.
Monument Valley maze: A geometric maze with pink walls, imitating the style of the game Monument Valley.
Seaside lighthouse: The classic composition of a white lighthouse against the blue sea.

How to get there:

From Zhangzhou city: Take a bus from Zhangzhou Bus Center to “Volcanic Island” (a few buses daily).
From Xiamen: Xiamen Trip Ferry Terminal has a speedboat to Volcanic Island (about 30 minutes) plus a shuttle bus.

5. Yun Shui Yao Ancient Town

Yun Shui Yao is an ancient town in Nanjing County. Its original name was “Changjiao Village”. It was renamed after the movie Yun Shui Yao was filmed here. The town features ancient tulou, thousand‑year‑old banyan trees, ancient stone paths, and clear streams. Unlike the pure tulou clusters of Tianluokeng, Yun Shui Yao has more of a water‑town charm.

Ticket: About 90 RMB (includes Hegui Lou, Huaiyuan Lou, etc.)
Visit duration: 2–3 hours
Location: Meilin Town, Nanjing County (about 20 minutes’ drive from Tianluokeng)

Main highlights:

Hegui Lou: A square tulou built on a swamp, supported by pine piles driven into the ground. It is said that if you jump hard in the courtyard, the ground will slightly tremble.
Huaiyuan Lou: One of the best‑preserved round tulou, with exquisite carvings inside.
Thousand‑year‑old banyan trees: 13 ancient banyan trees stand by the stream, their canopies shading the area. Locals often drink tea and chat on the stone benches underneath.

How to get there: It is in the same area as the Nanjing Tulou. You can combine it with Tianluokeng on a single day. Usually, a private car or day tour includes both Yun Shui Yao and Tianluokeng.

6. Baitang Bay Volcanic Geopark (Baitang Bay)

This is another part of the volcanic island area, with fewer tourists and a more natural feel. It features a well‑preserved volcanic crater relic and a black volcanic stone beach. Compared to Volcanic Island, Baitang Bay has fewer entertainment facilities but is more suitable for geology enthusiasts.

Ticket: About 50 RMB
Location: Baitang Village, Qianting Town, Zhangpu County
Visit duration: 2 hours

7. Suggested Itineraries

One‑Day Trip (Round-trip from Xiamen)

Choose one of the following routes (cannot do both in one day):

Tulou route: Morning: Tianluokeng “Four Dishes and One Soup” + Yuchang Lou; Afternoon: Yun Shui Yao; evening return.
Island route: Morning: Dongshan Island – Wind‑Swaying Rock + Maluan Bay; Afternoon: ride along Sufeng Mountain Ring Road; evening return.

Two‑Day Trip (In‑Depth)

Day 1: Depart from Xiamen, arrive at Nanjing Tulou in the morning. Visit Tianluokeng and Yuchang Lou. In the afternoon, visit Yun Shui Yao. Stay overnight in a tulou guesthouse.
Day 2: Go to Dongshan Island. Visit Wind‑Swaying Rock and Maluan Bay. In the afternoon, ride along Sufeng Mountain Ring Road. Return directly from Dongshan Island to Xiamen in the evening (or via Zhangzhou city).

Three‑Day Trip (Full Panorama)

Add a third day to the two‑day itinerary:

Day 3: Morning: visit Zhangzhou Ancient City and taste local snacks. Afternoon: go to Volcanic Island, then return in the evening.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Are the Zhangzhou Tulou and Yun Shui Yao the same place?
A: No. Both are in Nanjing County, but they are about a 20‑minute drive apart. Tianluokeng and Yuchang Lou are typical tulou clusters, while Yun Shui Yao is an ancient town with tulou, streams, and banyan trees. A one‑day tour usually includes 2–3 of these sites.

Q: Do foreign visitors need a special permit for Zhangzhou attractions?
A: No. All recommended attractions are open to foreign tourists with a valid Chinese visa.

Q: Is transportation between Zhangzhou attractions convenient?
A: Public transportation between the tulou, Dongshan Island, and Volcanic Island is limited. It is recommended to hire a private car or join a local day tour. From Zhangzhou city to the Tulou, there are buses, but not very frequent. For travelers short on time, a private car is the best option.

Q: Is it safe to swim at Dongshan Island?
A: Maluan Bay has designated safe swimming areas with lifeguards. Please only swim within the designated areas. Pay attention to weather and wave forecasts. Do not go into the sea during typhoons.

Q: Are Zhangzhou attractions suitable for family travel?
A: Very suitable. The tulou and Yun Shui Yao have flat walking paths, good for the elderly and children. Dongshan Island and Maluan Bay are great for kids to play with sand and water. Volcanic Island has sightseeing buses to reduce walking. Zhangzhou Ancient City has flat stone roads suitable for strollers.

Q: Do I need to buy tickets online in advance for Zhangzhou attractions?
A: Most attractions allow on‑site ticket purchase, but during holidays, it is recommended to book in advance on travel platforms (e.g., Trip.com, Klook). Tulou and Volcanic Island also support mobile QR code ticket purchase.

Q: What should I be aware of when visiting Zhangzhou attractions?
A:

Inside the tulou, many are still residential homes. Ask politely before taking photos.
The pink maze at Volcanic Island is popular for photos – go early.
Dongshan Island is hot in summer – protect yourself from the sun and stay hydrated.
The stone roads of Zhangzhou Ancient City can be slippery after rain – wear non‑slip shoes.

Zhangzhou Attractions Guide: Tulou, Dongshan Island, Volcano & Ancient Town

Zhangzhou Attractions Guide

1. Fujian Tulou (UNESCO World Heritage)