Quanzhou travel guide

Quanzhou now has a multi-modal transport network spanning land, sea and air. The Quan-Xia and Fu-Quan expressways form its highway network, and the Zhangzhou-Quanzhou-Xiao Railway is also in operation.

Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport operates numerous domestic and international passenger routes, serving 45 cities.

More than a dozen bus routes run directly from the city to Jinjiang Airport, and a taxi costs just ¥40–50.

Quanzhou's railway development came relatively late, with genuine passenger train service beginning only at the end of 1998. Over the past 20-plus years of rapid growth, however, trains now run north to Jiangsu, Shanghai, Tianjin and Beijing, south to Guangdong and Hong Kong, and west to Chongqing, Guizhou and Yunnan.

Quanzhou East Station

Road transport is the main way to travel between Quanzhou and other parts of Fujian. Long-distance coaches also run directly to out-of-province destinations such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Wenzhou and Mount Putuo.

Thirty bus routes in the city connect all the major sights, and express shuttle buses run directly to nearby attractions.

Quanzhou's snacks are far better known than its main dishes. As early as the Tang dynasty, Quanzhou was already one of China's four great trading ports, and the exchange of goods brought a blending of food cultures. Some staple ingredients in Quanzhou snacks, such as small peanuts and sweet potatoes, were introduced from abroad. The snacks are varied, attentive to presentation and flavour, and typically light and fresh.

Quanzhou has several well-known food streets, but locals rarely eat there, considering them inauthentic. They usually head to places such as Yuelai Restaurant and Shuyou Seafood Restaurant for seafood and snacks like “oyster omelette” (海蛎煎) and Tusun Jelly (土笋冻).

Quanzhou has hotels and guesthouses of various grades to suit different travellers' needs. However, compared with cities of similar size, accommodation and other spending in Quanzhou is somewhat higher.

Quanzhou's Daxi Street is a short lane between the Cultural Palace and Zhongshan Road, and it is very lively. In the early 20th century, many workshops making and selling pewter wares gathered here, which is how the street got its name, Daxi (tin-beating) Street. Though short, it has many upscale brand-name clothing shops as well as gold and jewellery stores.

Zhongshan Road Tourist Shopping Street, Zhuangyuan Street (tourist pedestrian street), Houcheng Tourism & Culture Street, Dong Street, Tumen Street Commodity Street, Qiaoxiang Small Commodities Street, and Xinhua Small Commodities Street at Shishi Commercial City.

1. Before buying valuable items, compare several shops and check other prices before making your decision.

2. On your first shopping trip to Shishi, specialty stores and large malls are the safest choices.

3. Enjoy the fun of haggling, but be careful: goods here are generally non-refundable, so think twice before you buy.

4. Qiaoxiang Commercial City, Universal Mall, Hualin Square, the shops near the bus station, and the Dalun Street small commodities market are the most popular.

1. Beimen Shopping Street has a good number of snack vendors gathered together.

2. Locals love buying Quanmao mung bean cakes, sold just west of the First Hospital. They come in bags of 4.

Quanzhou people are very fond of everyday pastries such as Baishou Gui (longevity tortoise cakes), Baimi Gui (white rice tortoise cakes), wangao (bowl cakes), jiansong (lye-water zongzi), yuguo (taro fruit), yuanxiao wan (glutinous rice balls), juhong gao (tangerine-red cakes), mung bean cakes, and nenbing cai (tender pancake rolls with vegetables). Many ordinary families make them at home. They are not only attractive in shape but also light and fresh in flavour, so they make good gifts to bring back for relatives and friends.