Quanzhou Attractions: UNESCO Sites & Hidden Gems for Foreigners

Quanzhou is located on the southeastern coast of Fujian Province and is one of China’s most rewarding historic cities. In 2021, “Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China” was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. During the Song and Yuan dynasties, Quanzhou was one of the busiest ports in the world and is known as the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road. Today, Quanzhou preserves a large number of ancient temples, mosques, stone bridges, and traditional neighborhoods. This guide recommends the best attractions in Quanzhou, from World Heritage sites to hidden gems, to help you plan your trip.

1. Quanzhou Attractions Overview

Quanzhou’s attractions can be divided into four main categories:

World Heritage sites: Kaiyuan Temple, Qingjing Mosque, Tianhou Temple, Luoyang Bridge, Laojun Rock, and more.
Historic and cultural districts: West Street, Wudianshi Traditional Block.
Natural scenery: Qingyuan Mountain, Chongwu Ancient City coastline.
Cultural experiences: Xunpu Village Zanhuawei floral headdress, Quanzhou Maritime Museum.

Attractions in Quanzhou’s city center are relatively concentrated – most can be reached on foot or by short taxi rides. Surrounding attractions such as Chongwu Ancient City, Wudianshi, and Xunpu Village require an extra half day to a full day.

2. World Heritage Sites

Kaiyuan Temple

Kaiyuan Temple is Quanzhou’s most famous Buddhist temple, first built in the Tang dynasty. It is one of the largest Buddhist temples in Fujian and part of the World Heritage site. Its most famous feature is the Twin Pagodas – two stone pagodas built in the Song dynasty, about 48 meters (157 feet) tall, the tallest stone pagodas in China. The carvings are exquisite, and they have survived centuries of earthquakes. The temple also has ancient banyan trees, the Grand Hall, and a scripture library.

Ticket: Free.
Opening hours: 8:00–17:30.
Visit duration: 1.5 hours.
Location: No. 176 West Street, Licheng District, Quanzhou.

Qingjing Mosque

Qingjing Mosque is one of China’s oldest Islamic mosques, first built in the Northern Song dynasty. It is part of the World Heritage site and reflects Quanzhou’s multicultural history as an international port during the Song and Yuan dynasties. The mosque preserves Arabic stone inscriptions, an ancient prayer hall, and the remains of a minaret. Female visitors may need to cover their hair with a shawl.

Ticket: About 3 RMB.
Opening hours: 8:00–17:30.
Visit duration: 40 minutes.
Location: No. 108 Tumen Street, Licheng District, Quanzhou.

Tianhou Temple

Tianhou Temple is Quanzhou’s largest Mazu temple, first built in the Song dynasty. Mazu is the sea goddess worshipped in coastal China. Quanzhou Tianhou Temple is the highest-ranked Mazu temple in the world and part of the World Heritage site. The architecture is beautifully decorated with fine wood and stone carvings.

Ticket: Free.
Opening hours: 8:00–18:00.
Visit duration: 40 minutes.
Location: No. 1 Tianhou Road, Licheng District, Quanzhou.

Luoyang Bridge

Luoyang Bridge is China’s first cross-sea stone bridge, built in the Northern Song dynasty. It is about 834 meters (2,736 feet) long, connecting Quanzhou and Hui’an County. The bridge used unique “raft foundations” and “oyster-based reinforcement” techniques — a masterpiece of ancient Chinese bridge engineering. There are stone pagodas, stone generals, and inscriptions on the bridge. A walk on the bridge in the late afternoon offers views of the Luoyang River.

Ticket: Free.
Visit duration: 1 hour.
Transport: About 40 minutes by bus from Quanzhou city.
Location: Luoyang Bridge, Luojiang District, Quanzhou.

Laojun Rock (Qingyuan Mountain)

Laojun Rock is located on Qingyuan Mountain. It is a giant Song-dynasty stone statue of Laozi, about 5 meters (16 feet) tall – the largest existing Taoist stone carving in China. The statue is carved from a single natural rock and is very lifelike. Qingyuan Mountain also has temples, cliff inscriptions, and viewing platforms with panoramic views of Quanzhou.

Ticket: Qingyuan Mountain: about 70 RMB.
Opening hours: 6:00–18:00.
Visit duration: 2–3 hours.
Location: Qingyuan Mountain, Fengze District, Quanzhou.

3. Historic and Cultural Districts

West Street

West Street is Quanzhou’s oldest street, stretching from Kaiyuan Temple to the Clock Tower. It preserves many traditional Minnan buildings – red-brick houses and arcades. The street is lined with snack shops, tea houses, craft stores, and cafes. Here you can try local foods like misua paste, meat zongzi, and four-fruit soup. West Street is also the best place to photograph the Twin Pagodas of Kaiyuan Temple.

Ticket: Free.
Visit duration: 1–2 hours.
Location: West Street, Licheng District, Quanzhou.

Wudianshi Traditional Block

Wudianshi is located in Jinjiang City – a well-preserved traditional Minnan neighborhood. It features Ming and Qing red-brick houses, ancestral halls, and arcades. Now converted into a cultural district with cafes, restaurants, and craft shops. Great for photos and relaxing.

Ticket: Free.
Visit duration: 1.5 hours.
Transport: About 20 minutes by taxi from Quanzhou city.
Location: Qingyang Subdistrict, Jinjiang City.

Clock Tower

The Clock Tower is at the intersection of West Street and Zhongshan Road and is a landmark of Quanzhou. Built in 1934, it is a white Western-style clock tower blending Minnan and European architectural styles. Surrounding the tower is Quanzhou’s busiest commercial area – great for photos and shopping.

Ticket: Free.
Visit duration: 20 minutes.
Location: Intersection of West Street and Zhongshan Road, Licheng District, Quanzhou.

4. Natural Scenery Attractions

Qingyuan Mountain

Qingyuan Mountain is the highest hill in Quanzhou, about 498 meters (1,634 feet) above sea level. On the mountain is the Taoist Laojun Rock – a giant Song-dynasty stone statue of Laozi. There are also temples, cliff inscriptions, and viewing platforms with panoramic views of Quanzhou. Suitable for travelers who enjoy hiking and natural scenery.

Ticket: About 70 RMB.
Opening hours: 6:00–18:00.
Visit duration: 2–3 hours.
Location: Qingyuan Mountain, Fengze District, Quanzhou.

Chongwu Ancient City

Chongwu Ancient City is located in Hui’an County – a stone city built in the Ming dynasty for coastal defense. The walls are made entirely of granite and are well preserved. Outside the city are beautiful beaches and coastline. This is also a settlement of Hui’an women, where you can learn about their distinctive clothing and culture.

Ticket: About 45 RMB.
Visit duration: 2–3 hours.
Transport: Take a bus from Quanzhou Bus Center to Chongwu – about 1 hour.
Location: Chongwu Town, Hui’an County.

5. Cultural Experiences

Xunpu Village

Xunpu Village is a traditional fishing village in Quanzhou, located at the mouth of the Jinjiang River. The women here are known as “Xunpu women” and wear floral headdresses called “Zanhuawei.” You can experience wearing a Zanhuawei (about 40 RMB, including costume and hairstyling) and take photos in front of oyster-shell houses (Kezecuo). This is a very popular cultural experience for foreign visitors.

Ticket: Free.
Visit duration: 1.5–2 hours.
Transport: About 20 minutes by taxi from Quanzhou city.
Location: Xunpu Village, Fengze District, Quanzhou.

Quanzhou Maritime Museum

If you want to understand Quanzhou’s history as a world maritime trade center during the Song and Yuan dynasties, this museum is a must. It displays ancient ships, Arabic tombstones, spices, ceramics, and relics of foreign merchants.

Ticket: Free.
Opening hours: 9:00–17:00, closed on Mondays.
Visit duration: 1.5 hours.
Location: Donghu Subdistrict, Fengze District, Quanzhou.

Guanyue Temple

Guanyue Temple is Guan’an’s most popular Taoist temple, dedicated to Guan Yu and Yue Fei. The temple is beautifully decorated, with colorful ceramic figures and dragon ornaments on the roof. Every day, many locals come to burn incense and draw fortune sticks. It is especially beautiful at night when it is illuminated.

Ticket: Free.
Opening hours: 8:00–18:00.
Visit duration: 30 minutes.
Location: Tumen Street, Licheng District, Quanzhou.

6. Suggested Itineraries for Quanzhou Attractions

One-Day Trip (From Xiamen)

Morning: Kaiyuan Temple, West Street, Clock Tower.
Midday: Lunch on West Street.
Afternoon: Qingjing Mosque, Guanyue Temple, Tianhou Temple.
Late afternoon: Sunset at Luoyang Bridge.
Return to Xiamen.

Two-Day Trip (In-Depth)

Day 1: Kaiyuan Temple, West Street, Clock Tower, Qingjing Mosque, Guanyue Temple, Tianhou Temple, Luoyang Bridge.
Day 2: Morning – Qingyuan Mountain. Afternoon – Xunpu Village. Late afternoon – Wudianshi.

Three-Day Trip (Panorama)

On the basis of the two-day trip, add a third day: morning – Chongwu Ancient City. Afternoon – Quanzhou Maritime Museum. Return in the evening.

7. Practical Travel Tips

Language: Quanzhou mainly speaks Minnan (Hokkien), but tourist areas, hotels, and young people can speak Mandarin. Use a translation app.
Payment: The currency is RMB. Most shops and restaurants accept WeChat Pay and Alipay. Carry 200–300 RMB in cash as backup.
Visa: Foreign tourists need a valid Chinese visa.
Clothing: When visiting temples, avoid shorts or overly revealing clothes. Qingyuan Mountain and Chongwu Ancient City require walking – wear comfortable sports shoes.
Sun protection: UV rays are strong in Quanzhou. Bring sunscreen, a sun hat, and sunglasses.
Drinking water: Drink bottled water.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the most famous attraction in Quanzhou?
A: Kaiyuan Temple is Quanzhou’s most famous attraction, with the Song-dynasty Twin Pagodas. It is one of Fujian’s largest Buddhist temples and a World Heritage site.

Q: Do Quanzhou attractions require tickets?
A: Most attractions are free, including Kaiyuan Temple, West Street, Tianhou Temple, Guanyue Temple, Luoyang Bridge, Xunpu Village, and Wudianshi. Qingjing Mosque is about 3 RMB, Qingyuan Mountain is about 70 RMB, and Chongwu Ancient City is about 45 RMB.

Q: Are Quanzhou attractions concentrated?
A: Quanzhou’s city center attractions are relatively concentrated. Kaiyuan Temple, West Street, Clock Tower, Qingjing Mosque, Guanyue Temple, and Tianhou Temple are all in the ancient city and can be visited on foot. Qingyuan Mountain, Xunpu Village, Luoyang Bridge, Chongwu Ancient City, and Wudianshi require short-distance transport.

Q: Are there English-speaking guides in Quanzhou?
A: There are some English guide services in Quanzhou, but not as common as in Xiamen. We recommend booking in advance through travel platforms, or using a translation app for self-guided tours. Major attractions have bilingual signs.

Q: Are Quanzhou attractions suitable for children?
A: Yes. Kaiyuan Temple, West Street, Xunpu Village, Wudianshi, and Quanzhou Maritime Museum are all suitable for families. Avoid long walks at Qingyuan Mountain and Chongwu Ancient City.

Q: Are Quanzhou attractions suitable for elderly visitors?
A: Yes. Kaiyuan Temple, West Street, Qingjing Mosque, Guanyue Temple, Tianhou Temple, and Wudianshi have flat paths and are suitable for elderly visitors. Avoid long walks at Qingyuan Mountain and Chongwu Ancient City.

Q: What can I see in Quanzhou in one day?
A: In one day, you can see Kaiyuan Temple, West Street, Clock Tower, Qingjing Mosque, Guanyue Temple, Tianhou Temple, and Luoyang Bridge. Suitable for a same-day round trip from Xiamen.

Q: Where are the best photo spots in Quanzhou?
A: West Street for the Twin Pagodas of Kaiyuan Temple, Xunpu Village for Zanhuawei and oyster-shell houses, Wudianshi for red-brick houses, Luoyang Bridge for sunset, and Chongwu Ancient City for the coastline.

Q: Are Quanzhou attractions open at night?
A: West Street and the Clock Tower are open at night and look beautiful. Kaiyuan Temple, Qingjing Mosque, Tianhou Temple, and Guanyue Temple are not open at night. Xunpu Village and Wudianshi are good for evening walks.

Q: Do foreign tourists need a special permit for Quanzhou attractions?
A: No. Quanzhou is fully open to foreign visitors with a valid Chinese visa.

Quanzhou Attractions: UNESCO Sites & Hidden Gems for Foreigners

1. Quanzhou Attractions Overview