Zhangzhou

Zhangzhou is well suited to a weekend or short holiday. It offers traditional red-brick houses, everyday southern Fujian life, World Heritage tulou buildings and island scenery, with a relaxed pace and relatively affordable prices.

• Zhangzhou Ancient City: Stroll past the red-brick arcaded buildings on Hong Kong Road and Taiwan Road, visit the Ming- and Qing-era stone archways and Zhangzhou Confucian Temple, and sample traditional snacks along the way. The nighttime scenery also has a distinctive local character.

• Dongshan Island: Nanmen Bay retains its colorful fishing-village character, while Jinluan Bay has a broad sandy beach. The coastal road around Sufeng Mountain is good for cycling, with views of the sea and fishing-village life along the way. Both sunrise and sunset are worth seeing.

• Nanjing Tulou: The viewing platform offers an impressive view of Tianluokeng's “four dishes and a soup” arrangement. Yuchang Lou is famous for its leaning structure, which has nevertheless stood for a thousand years. A visit offers insight into Hakka settlements and architectural culture.

• Yunshuiyao Ancient Town: Once used as a film location, this old town has cobblestone paths, thousand-year-old banyan trees, streams, small bridges and Huaiyuan Lou. It is a good place to slow down and explore.

• Volcano Island: This coastal volcanic geological park features black volcanic rocks and coastal scenery. Colorful buildings, including castles, stand against the blue sea, alongside distinctive landforms.

• Daimei Ancient Village: Surrounded by water on all four sides, the village has 276 neatly arranged traditional red-brick houses with swallowtail roof ridges. It is a good place to learn about southern Fujian architecture and photograph an old village.

Classic 3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Everyday Life in the Ancient City: Arrive at Zhangzhou Railway Station, then take a taxi to your accommodation near the ancient city and check in. In the afternoon, visit Wenchang Gate, Zhongshan Park, the Catholic Church, the stone archways and the Confucian Temple in that order. In the evening, head to Taiwan Road Night Market to try Afang's braised noodles, Jianguo's oyster omelets and Sun's mochi.

• Day 2: Explore the World Heritage Tulou: Head to Nanjing Tulou in the morning. Driving yourself or hiring a car is recommended; the journey takes about 1.5 hours. View Tianluokeng's “four dishes and a soup” arrangement from the viewing platform, then visit Yuchang Lou. In the afternoon, explore Yunshuiyao Ancient Town, including its large waterwheel and thousand-year-old banyan trees. Return to central Zhangzhou in the early evening.

• Day 3: Island Romance: Take a high-speed train from Zhangzhou Railway Station to Yunxiao Railway Station, a journey of about 30 minutes, then transfer to onward transport to Dongshan Island. Rent an electric scooter to explore the island, visiting Nanmen Bay, the Left Ear Rooftop and the coastal road around Sufeng Mountain in that order. In the early evening, head to Jinluan Bay to watch the sunset reflected in its “mirror of the sky,” then begin your return journey.

Traditional Zhangzhou Foods to Try

• Zhangzhou Braised Noodles: A rich broth made with pork bones, dried scallops and seafood is served with shredded bamboo shoots, fried pork and shredded egg. The noodles soak up the broth, and the dish is a common local breakfast.

• Four-Fruit Soup: A common Zhangzhou dessert with a seaweed jelly base, more than a dozen additions such as chewy adazi pearls and taro balls, and a topping of chilled honey water.

• Oyster Omelet: Plump oysters are coated in sweet potato starch and pan-fried until crisp and fragrant, then served with sweet chili sauce. The outside is crisp while the inside stays tender.

• Sun's Mochi: Glutinous rice wrappers are filled to order and rolled in crushed peanuts and sesame seeds, giving them a textured coating and a soft, chewy bite.

• Confucian Temple Juice: Freshly pressed pianzaihuang herb and sugarcane juice are blended into a drink with a light herbal aroma. It is one of Zhangzhou's distinctive local drinks.

• Triangle Rice Cakes: Rice batter is shaped into triangles and deep-fried until golden and crisp outside, with a delicate interior. Eat them with a sour and spicy dipping sauce or pickled radish.

Where to Stay

• Around Zhangzhou Ancient City: Attractions and long-established snack shops are concentrated here, making it easy to explore on foot. This area suits travelers who enjoy a lively neighborhood. Consider staying near Wenchang Gate or Zhongmin Baihui.

• Nanmen Bay / Jinluan Bay, Dongshan Island: Choose these areas if you would like an extra night on the island. Nanmen Bay has plenty of guesthouses with sea views and convenient sunset viewing spots. Jinluan Bay is quieter and good for watching the sunrise.

• Xiangjiang Hotel / New Century Grand Hotel: These star-rated hotels a little farther from the city center offer more spacious rooms and a fuller range of facilities. The ancient city is easy to reach by car or taxi.

Transport and Travel Advice

• Getting There: High-speed trains run directly to Zhangzhou Railway Station, about 20 minutes from the ancient city by taxi. For Dongshan Island, travel to Yunxiao Railway Station and transfer to onward transport. The high-speed train from Xiamen takes about 15–20 minutes, making Zhangzhou convenient for a weekend trip.
• Getting Around: Explore the ancient city mainly on foot; shared electric scooters are another option at night. For the tulou or Dongshan Island, driving yourself, hiring a car or sharing a ride saves time, as public transport takes longer.
• Things to Keep in Mind:
  • The ancient city has many stone-paved streets, so wear comfortable flat shoes.
  • Check tide tables before visiting Nanyu's sea-on-both-sides spot or Jinluan Bay's mirror-like beach. These features are more visible at low tide.
  • Confirm prices before ordering at seafood restaurants or open-air food stalls, and favor places with clearly displayed prices.
  • There is no need to focus only on snack shops with long queues in the ancient city. Long-established shops in the lanes often offer authentic options too.
  • Venues such as Zhangzhou Museum and the Confucian Temple are usually closed on Mondays, so plan accordingly.

Travel Tips

• Weather and Clothing: October temperatures in Zhangzhou are around 20–28°C. Pack summer clothes and a light jacket. The coast can be windy, so bring a windproof jacket. Light-colored clothes or modern Chinese-style outfits work well for photos at the tulou and in the ancient city.
• Luggage Storage: The high-speed railway station offers luggage storage from 8:00–22:00, while storage points in the ancient city generally operate from 7:00–22:00. Choose whichever fits your itinerary.