This attractive coastal province has been a favourite holiday destination with Chinese for quite some time. Fujian offers all of the charms you would expect of a coastal region, and yet the province still blissfully holds some of it’s more hidden treasures close to hand. Xiamen is the star attraction for visitors, with its long seaside promenade, exquisite seafood and splendid European-infused architecture. We have no doubt that you will want to extend your Xiamen stay, but be sure to explore Fujian’s other attractions. Prepare your Fujian province travel here…
Travel Fujian province: Fuzhou
The provincial capital of Fujian, Fuzhou is often overshadowed by the more tourist-alluring coastal city that is Xiamen. That being said, the numerous historical sites scattered among clear waters and flourishing mountains, along with Fuzhou’s renowned food scene (delicious fish balls, delectable meat dumplings, and seemingly never-ending seafood barbeque) will leave more than just your taste buds excited. Get the show started with a visit to Sanfang Qixiang, located in the heart of downtown Fuzhou. Sanfang Qixiang is an ancient neighbourhood stacked with white-walled & grey-roofed wooden residences. This is the place to take in city’s exquisite craftsmanship (and equally exquisite snacks).
After taking in your fill of seafood, walk it off with a trek around the Drum Mountain Scenic Area. Located on the north bank of Fuzhou, Drum Mountain is one of the most famous scenic spots of the city. Named after the huge drum-shaped stone on its peak, Drum Mountain is a fantastic place to simultaneously take in nature and overlook the urban build-up of Fuzhou.
Cap-off your visit by camping out in the tranquil Yunding Scenic Area. An hour drive from downtown Fuzhou, Yunding Scenic Area is valley-after-valley of grassy alpine meadows and colourful flower terraces. Hike your way through the various peaks and water streams or just hit the chill button.
Travel Fujian province: Xiamen
The lively coastal city that is Xiamen tends to hog the tourists of the province (with pretty good reason). Miles of coastline, delicious seafood, great weather and island-hopping tend to have that tourist-magnet effect. In more recent times, Xiamen has somewhat become a haven for the more nonconformist type: hip boutique cafes and bars, chilled beaches, secluded city gardens and Mediterranean-esk edifices are to blame. The city really oozes a perfect balance of cool headedness and sophistication. Throw in a long history and dozens of historical sites, and you have a winner.
Gulangyu Island is undoubtedly the must visit attraction of Xiamen. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Gulangyu Island was an important outpost for Sino-foreign exchanges during the 19th and 20th centuries. The island boats a splendid architectural mixture, drawing on styles including Traditional Southern Fujian Style, Western Classical Revival Style and Veranda Colonial Style. Hike up the Sun Rock to overlook the whole island or take a walk through the fine Shuzhuang Garden.
The Xiamen Botanical Garden is a great showcase of rare plant varieties, stone carvings, lakes, lawns, temples, and other attractions. Xiamen University is one of China’s most beautiful universities. Overlooking the ocean, the architectural style of the campus is a blend of eastern and western elements. The university is open to the public and is well-worth a stroll.
For a bit of history head to the Hulishan Fort, a gigantic German artillery post built in 1894. According to the Guinness Book of Records, Hulishan Fort is the “world’s oldest 19th-century coast gun that is still preserved at its original site”. After a visit to the fort, head over to the nearby South Putuo Temple. This Buddhist temple has been repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt, and is now a modern day pilgrimage site.
After a long day of sight seeing, head over to Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street and dabble in some of the local fare. Teeming with shops and street vendors, grab a snack (or two) and wonder around the combination of Victorian-era and Chinese traditional architecture. We haven’t forgotten a bit of beach-time. Baicheng Beach is a favourite with locals and visitors alike. The beach is a great place to enjoy the sunset and ponder your next Xiamen-style snack.
Travel Fujian province: Zhangzhou
Seated in southern Fujian, Zhangzhou lies opposite Taiwan, being separated by the Taiwan Strait to the east. Besides the miles of coastline, Zhangzhou is a historical and cultural city more than 1,300 years old. Kicking things off, the unique architectural shapes of the Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster are one of the region’s (and indeed Fujian’s) most famous landmarks. You’ll find yourself being glued to the camera here.
Yunshuiyao Ancient Town is also a must-see of the region. The town is home to some insanely old banyan trees: many are well over 1,000 years old and one particular grove shelters some trees which are 13,000 years old… Some of the banyan trees are also incredibly big: 30 meter (100 feet) long branches, 2,000 square meter (22,000 square feet) canopies, and trunks large enough for 10 adults to encircle with hands stretched out… Basically, they are huge.
Finish off with the unique volcanic formations, coastal scenery, and ecological gardens of the Volcanic Island Tourist and Leisure Resort. The resort is filled with mountains, waterfalls and beaches, making this a great sightseeing/chilling destination.
Nanping
The birthplace of Tai Chi, a visit to this region usually means one thing: the UNESCO World Heritage listed Wuyi Mountains. Hitch a ride on a bamboo raft and drift down the Jiuqu (or Nine-bend) river, taking in the beautiful mountain scenery and time-forgotten villages as you go. Also be sure to traverse the many waterfalls and caves on offer en-route to Tianyou Peak (this may be the spot to test out some Tai Chi moves). Nanping is also famed for its ancient tea culture, and the Oolong tea here really ranks amongst some of the world’s best.
Ningde
Situated in the north east of Fujian province, Ningde is known for its picturesque coastal landscapes and encircling mountains. The granite peaks of Taimu Mountain earn the place of must-see in Ningde. Three of the mountain’s sides look out to the ocean, and this mountain-ocean combo makes for a pretty unique scene.
Dayushan Island is also worth a visit. This uninhabited island breeds life to some extremely dense vegetation and tens of thousands of migratory birds. Walking around this sea-eroded landscape is about as tranquil as it gets.
Travel Fujian province: Longyan
Longyan is home to some the provinces most distinctive attractions: the Yongding tulou. Tulou is a kind of traditional building of the Hakka culture. Each tulou is built with its own unique style, but they are generally rectangular or round. Furthermore, dozens of blood related families live together within each tulou. There are three hundred and sixty round tulou and four thousand square tulou in Longyan, earning the area a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. A visit here will undoubtedly drain your camera battery. If you have a drone, this is the place to use it!
