Best Places to Visit in Fujian: Xiamen, Fuzhou, Quanzhou

Top 1: Xiamen

On the shore of the East China Sea and beside Lu River, the sound of piano music from Gulangyu drifts on the sea breeze, gliding past architecture where East meets West. Looking up, you see a fresh blue sky; looking around, you’re surrounded by pleasant greenery. The sunset, evening glow, and ocean together form a beautiful "garden on the sea"—this is Xiamen.

Xiamen City is located on the southeastern coast of Fujian Province, covering a total area of 1,700.61 square kilometers. It consists of the Xiamen Bay, its adjacent mainland areas, and several islands including Xiamen Island and Gulangyu. Its unique geographic location gives Xiamen a seemingly endless summer, just like the city’s ever-blooming flowers, from the flamboyant phoenix blossoms cascading like waterfalls to the vibrant bougainvillea in full flourish, passionate and captivating.

Xiamen’s fame is so widespread that for many people, it is the first place that comes to mind when they think of Fujian. Here boasts both European-style villas and Chinese traditional red-brick buildings. There’s Gulangyu, known as the “Island of Pianos”, the seaside Xiamen University, as well as Shuzhuang Garden, South Putuo Temple, and Zengcuo’an—all offering unforgettable experiences that keep visitors coming back.

Top 2: Fuzhou

In the southeastern corner of China, bathed in the morning light of the East China Sea, lies an ancient yet vibrant city. Here, mountains, rivers, and the sea converge; here, the rich Min culture was born. Once known as "Rongcheng", today this city is called Fuzhou.

Fuzhou, historically referred to as Mindu, is the capital of Fujian Province. It is located at the eastern end of central Fujian, facing the Taiwan Strait to the east, and spans a total area of 11,968.53 square kilometers. This land is blessed with a harmonious blend of mountains and waters, lush greenery, murmuring streams, and encircling peaks. It is also a fertile ground for culture, producing generations of talent and preserving a cultural legacy that stretches back over a thousand years.

With a city history of more than 2,200 years, Fuzhou has served as the provincial capital since the Ming Dynasty. It embodies the essence of Min culture, with landmarks such as the Tanshishan archaeological site, the Foochow Shipbuilding, the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, and the Shoushan stone. The city has produced many notable historical figures, including Lin Zexu and Yan Fu. The narrow, timeworn alleys, centuries-old temples filled with incense, and scattered former residences of historical figures all reveal the profound cultural depth of old Fuzhou and the tranquil, understated lifestyle of its people.

Top 3: Quanzhou

When you arrive in this thousand-year-old city, you’ll find that in Quanzhou, known as the “City of Deities”, people move through daily life with faith and passion, where the earthly hustle intertwines with sacred incense smoke endlessly.

Quanzhou, abbreviated as “Li”, is one of Fujian Province’s three major central cities. Located on the southeastern coast of Fujian, it borders Fuzhou to the north, Xiamen to the south, Taiwan across the sea to the east, and Zhangzhou to the west. The city spans an area of 11,295.57 square kilometers.

As a vital hub on the ancient Maritime Silk Road, Quanzhou was already the largest port in the East during the Tang and Song dynasties, rivaling Alexandria in Egypt, where once witnessed the grandeur of flourishing trade and countless merchant ships. Quanzhou is also famed as a “World Museum of Religions”, where diverse religious cultures have long coexisted peacefully. From the twin towers of Kaiyuan Temple reaching into the sky, to the meditative serenity of Qingyuan Mountain, to the red-brick traditional houses lining West Street in the ancient city, Quanzhou has reemerged into public view with renewed vitality and charm.

Top 4: Wuyishan

Wuyi Mountain, a place of breathtaking landscapes, has long been a destination of great longing. The meandering curves of the Jiuqu River alone are enough to captivate visitors and leave them enchanted. The renowned Neo-Confucian scholar Zhu Xi of the Southern Song Dynasty lived, wrote, and taught here for 50 years—Wuyi was the birthplace, cradle, and springboard of Zhuzi Neo-Confucianism. Many historical figures such as Fan Zhongyan, Lu You, and Xin Qiji have also left behind poetry and prose praising Wuyi’s beauty.

Wuyishan City, named after the mountain, is located in the northwest of Fujian Province at the border with Jiangxi, under the administration of Nanping City, with a total area of 2,813 square kilometers.

Wuyi Mountain is famed for its scenic charm, rich history, and vibrant culture, often described as “emerald waters and vermilion peaks”. It is not a towering, rugged mountain, but rather one of gentle grace and mild beauty. Here, mountains and waters merge in harmony, as if shaped by nature’s most artful hand, bringing together the finest elements of landscape. The waters are crystal clear—bamboo rafts glide along the Jiuqu River, carrying visitors as if through a living painting. Whether still and mirror-like or sparkling under the sun, the water reflects the elegant silhouette of the surrounding peaks, making refreshing and pleasant.