Quanzhou

泉州

Quanzhou is a historic port city in Fujian, known as the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road. Home to diverse religious sites including Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, and Hinduism. Called 'Zayton' by Marco Polo. A UNESCO World Heritage city with incredible cultural diversity.

8.7 million
Population
Subtropical monsoon
Climate
50
Attractions
50
Restaurants

📍 Overview

Quanzhou cityscape
Kaiyuan Temple Qingjing Mosque Sri Lankan Buddhist Temple
Legend:
Attractions
Restaurants
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Emergency
🗺️

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🌤️ Best Time to Visit

Best in spring and autumn. Summers hot and humid. Winter mild. Year-round destination due to cultural sites.

March April May October November
Summer: 28C (82F)
Winter: 12C (54F)

Top Highlights

Kaiyuan Temple - Largest Song Dynasty temple in Fujian
Qingjing Mosque - Oldest mosque in China
Sri Lankan Buddhist Temple - Unique foreign architecture
Maritime Silk Road Museum - Ancient trade history
Shandong Hill - Scenic Buddhist temple

Quick Facts

🗣️
Language
Mandarin Chinese, Minnan dialect
💰
Currency
Chinese Yuan (CNY/RMB)
🛂
Visa
Most nationalities require visa
Electricity
220V/50Hz, Type A/I plugs

🍜 美食亮点 本地人真心推荐

Discover local food highlights in Quanzhou

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🗺️

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🗺️ Three-in-One Food Map

Layer controls: Michelin stars, Black Pearl rankings, and local recommendations

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🏛️ Must-Visit Attractions (50 places)

Discover the best attractions in Quanzhou

Legend:
Attractions
Restaurants
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🗺️

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Kaiyuan Temple
1

Kaiyuan Temple

Cultural

开元寺

Largest Song Dynasty Buddhist temple in Fujian with famous twin pagodas.

06:00-18:00
🎫Free
2 hours
Twin pagodasSong architectureAncient banyanBuddhist culture
💡

Arrive early. The twin pagodas are iconic.

📍 Xi Street, Licheng District

Qingjing Mosque
2

Qingjing Mosque

Cultural

清净寺

Oldest mosque in China, built in 1009, with Arab architecture.

08:00-17:30
🎫
1 hour
Arab architectureAncient inscriptionReligious harmonyHistorical significance
💡

Dress modestly. Important Islamic heritage.

📍 Tumen Street, Licheng District

Quanzhou Puppet Show
3

Quanzhou Puppet Show

Cultural

泉州木偶戏

Traditional Fujian puppet theater with ancient marionette art.

Shows at 15:00, 20:00
🎫80-120¥
1.5 hours
Traditional marionettesAncient artLive performanceCultural
💡

Book tickets in advance. Must-see cultural experience.

📍 Cultural Center, Licheng District

Qingyuan Mountain
4

Qingyuan Mountain

Natural

清源山

Sacred mountain with Buddhist temples, ancient sculptures, and tea houses.

06:00-18:00
🎫55¥
3-4 hours
Lao Tzu statueMountain tea housesHikingScenic views
💡

Visit at sunrise for views. Try mountain tea.

Tianhou Palace
5

Tianhou Palace

Cultural

天后宫

Most important Mazu temple, goddess of the sea worshipped by sailors.

06:00-18:00
🎫Free
1 hour
Mazu worshipAncient architectureReligious significanceCoastal culture
💡

Important for maritime culture. Try Mazu cookies nearby.

📍 Tianhou Road, Licheng District

Showing 5 of 50 attractions
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🚇 Transport Guide

Getting to and around Quanzhou

Getting to Quanzhou

✈️ air

Major Chinese cities

Duration: Varies
Price: 400-1500¥
Frequency: Daily flights

💡 Airport 15km from city center. Taxi or bus.

🚄 train

Xiamen (1h), Fuzhou (2h), Shanghai (4h)

Duration: 1-4 hours
Price: 100-500¥
Frequency: Multiple daily

💡 High-speed trains from major cities.

Getting Around

🚇 Metro

Recommended Transport Apps

🚗
DiDiEN
Book taxis, private cars, and rides with English interface. Supports international credit cards and English destination input.
iOSAndroid
🚄
Trip.com TrainsEN
Easy train ticket booking with English interface. Supports international credit cards.
iOSAndroid
🚇
Metro Now
Scan QR codes to enter metro stations in Shanghai and other cities. Links to Alipay/WeChat Pay.
iOSAndroid

🚌 Bus

  • Extensive network
  • Single ride: 2¥
  • Tourist areas connected

🚕 Taxi

  • Starting fare: 8¥
  • Most attractions 15-50¥
  • Didi recommended

🚴 Bike

  • Mobike, Meituan available
  • Good for city center
  • Historic areas

🏨 Where to Stay

Browse 0 vetted hotels across 6 categories in Quanzhou

💳 Payment Guide

How to pay in Quanzhou

💙

Alipay

Universal in Quanzhou

How to Use:

  • 1. Download before arrival

Tips:

  • Works at all merchants
💚

WeChat Pay

Accepted everywhere

How to Use:

  • 1. WeChat required

Tips:

  • Set to English mode
💵

Cash

Useful at traditional markets

How to Use:

  • 1. ATM everywhere

Tips:

  • Keep 200¥ for markets

💳 Recommended Payment Apps

💬
WeChatEN
Essential messaging, payments, mini-programs, and social platform for daily life in China. Supports English interface.
iOSAndroid
💰
AlipayEN
China's dominant payment app. Pay anywhere, transfer money, access government services. Full English support available.
iOSAndroid
💳
WeChat PayEN
Link your foreign card to WeChat Pay for QR code payments at stores and restaurants throughout China.
iOS
💳
Wise (TransferWise)EN
Best rates for currency exchange. Get a Wise card for travel with real exchange rates and low fees in China.
iOSAndroid

💡 Switch to English mode in app settings if you see Chinese interface. Both Alipay and WeChat Pay support foreign credit cards.

📶 SIM Cards & eSIM

Stay connected in China with the best data options

📱 eSIM (Recommended)

eSIM is the easiest way to get data in China. No physical SIM needed - activate instantly on arrival.

📱
Airalo eSIMEN
Stay connected in China with affordable eSIM data plans. No physical SIM needed. Supports China data packages.
iOSAndroid
🌏
Holafly eSIMEN
Unlimited data plans for China. Easy setup, instant activation. Perfect for travelers who need reliable internet.
iOSAndroid

💡 Pro Tips

  • • eSIM works best if your phone supports it (iPhone XS+ and most Android flagships)
  • • Download eSIM apps before arriving in China
  • • Airalo and Holafly offer China-specific plans with unlimited data options

📱 Essential Apps

Download these apps before arriving in China

📱Essential Apps for Quanzhou

Download these apps before arriving in China

16 with English13 Essential
💬
WeChatENEssential

Essential messaging, payments, mini-programs, and social platform for daily life in China. Supports English interface.

Download
💰
AlipayENEssential

China's dominant payment app. Pay anywhere, transfer money, access government services. Full English support available.

Download
💳
WeChat PayENEssential

Link your foreign card to WeChat Pay for QR code payments at stores and restaurants throughout China.

Download
🚗
DiDiENEssential

Book taxis, private cars, and rides with English interface. Supports international credit cards and English destination input.

Download
🗺️
Baidu MapsENEssential

Navigate with turn-by-turn directions in English. Search places using English. Works offline with download.

Download
🍜
MeituanENEssential

Order food delivery, browse restaurant menus (with translation), find deals. Has English menu feature for local restaurants.

Download
📚
Pleco Chinese DictionaryENEssential

The ultimate Chinese learning companion. Camera OCR, flash cards, example sentences. Essential for reading menus and signs.

Download
🌐
Google TranslateENEssential

Point your camera at Chinese text for instant translation. Download offline Chinese language pack.

Download
📕
XiaohongshuENEssential

Chinese social platform with local recommendations, reviews, and travel guides. Great for finding hidden gems and local tips.

Download
🚄
Trip.com TrainsENEssential

Easy train ticket booking with English interface. Supports international credit cards.

Download
🍽️
DianpingENEssential

The Yelp+Groupon of China. Browse restaurant reviews, find deals, and book tables. English interface available.

Download
💳
WiseENEssential

Best rates for currency exchange. Get a Wise card for travel with real exchange rates and low fees in China.

Download
📱
Airalo eSIMENEssential

Stay connected in China with affordable eSIM data plans. No physical SIM needed. Supports China data packages.

Download
🗺️
AmapEN

High-precision navigation, real-time traffic updates, and walking directions. Popular among locals.

Download
🤖
AI TranslationEN

More accurate than Google for nuanced Chinese. Great for menu translation and conversations.

🌏
Holafly eSIMEN

Unlimited data plans for China. Easy setup, instant activation. Perfect for travelers who need reliable internet.

Download
🍔
Ele.me

Major food delivery platform with wide restaurant coverage. Track your order in real-time.

Download
🚇
Metro Now

Scan QR codes to enter metro stations in Shanghai and other cities. Links to Alipay/WeChat Pay.

Download

💡Download before arriving in China — app stores may be restricted.

🎎 Cultural Tips (18 tips)

Essential cultural knowledge for Quanzhou

Maritime Silk Road

High Priority

Quanzhou was major port on Maritime Silk Road, visited by Marco Polo who called it Zayton. Diverse foreign religions settled here including Islam, Christianity, Hinduism.

Religious Diversity

High Priority

Quanzhou has unique religious diversity - Buddhist temples, Islamic mosques, Christian churches, and Hindu ruins coexist on Tumen Street.

Minnan Cuisine

High Priority

Quanzhou is heart of Minnan cuisine known for seafood, ginger duck, rice dumplings, and unique snacks like 土笋冻 (tusun jelly).

Stone Carving

Medium Priority

Quanzhou and nearby Hui'an are famous for stone carving tradition, visible at Chongwu Ancient City.

Southern Shaolin

Medium Priority

Southern Shaolin Temple at Qingyuan Mountain is birthplace of many Chinese martial arts styles including Hung Gar boxing.

Overseas Chinese Heritage

High Priority

Quanzhou is major overseas Chinese hometown. Many Chinese diaspora from Southeast Asia trace ancestry here. The华侨文化 is strong.

Minnan Architectural Style

Medium Priority

Minnan houses feature red brick, white walls, and ornate roof ridges with upturned corners. The闽南建筑风格 is distinct from other Chinese regional styles.

Mazu Worship

High Priority

Quanzhou is important center for Mazu worship, the sea goddess. Tianhou Palace is one of the most important Mazu temples in the world.

Tea Culture

Medium Priority

Fujian is famous for tea, and Quanzhou has its own tea traditions. Visit tea houses on 清源山 to experience mountain tea culture.

Nanyin Music

Medium Priority

Nanyin (南音) is ancient music from Quanzhou, recognized as intangible cultural heritage. Listen to performances at Quanzhou Puppet Show.

🚨 Emergency Contacts (13 contacts)

Important phone numbers in Quanzhou

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Attractions
Restaurants
Transport
Emergency
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⚠️ In case of emergency, call the appropriate number immediately. English operators may be available.

💡 Foreign visitors in China should also save +86-10-12308 (Consular Protection Hotline) — the 24/7 English-speaking line of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Quick Dial (Inside China)

Note: The SOS button in the bottom-right corner of any page provides instant access to emergency services with translation and GPS location sharing.

🏥 Hospitals

🏥

Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University

福建医科大学附属第二医院

Licheng District

📞+86 595 2275 0141
🏥

Quanzhou First Hospital

泉州市第一医院

Licheng District

📞+86 595 2227 7001

🏛️ Embassies & Consulates

🏛️

China Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Protection

中国外交部全球领事保护

Beijing

📞+86 10 12308

📞 Other Emergency Numbers

🚑

Quanzhou Emergency Center

泉州急救中心

📞120
👮

Quanzhou Public Security Bureau

泉州市公安局

📞110
🔥

Quanzhou Fire Department

泉州消防

📞119

Quanzhou Tourism Complaint Hotline

泉州旅游投诉热线

📞0595-22132188
👮

Jinjiang Public Security Bureau

晋江公安局

Jinjiang District

📞0595-85681100
👮

Shishi Public Security Bureau

石狮公安局

Shishi City

📞0595-88719110

Quanzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital

泉州市中医院

Licheng District

📞+86 595 2278 5041

Quanzhou Traffic Accident

泉州交通事故报警

📞122

Consumer Rights Hotline

消费者投诉热线

📞12315

Fujian Foreign Affairs Office

福建省外事办公室

Fuzhou (nearby)

📞+86 591 87841370

Emergency Numbers

🆘 Emergency SOS
• Tap: Call Police (110)
• Menu: Translation, GPS, Embassy, Culture
Works offline