10 Best Things to Do in Fujian: Top 10 Fujian Attractions

Tulu, or called earthen buildings, are the traditional dwellings in gigantic size and round, square or other strange shape, with the largest one can hold 800 members to live at once. The main structural walls of the buildings are made of mud, hence the name. Tulou are all built for defensive use at the beginning, but now they are served as homes of locals and attractions of visitors heading to explore the history, unique architectural design and Hakka culture of this region. In 2008, Fujian Tulou, including all the Tulou buildings at 3 major areas in Fujian, was listed as a cluster of World Cultural Heritage Site. The 3 major areas include Nanjing Tulou, Yongding Tulou and Hua'an Dadi Tulou.

Nanjing Tulou (南靖土楼) is the most popular Tulou region of Fujian Tulou. Its Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster, which leaves great impression on visitors for the lovely distribution of its 5 Tulou that just like Four Dishes and One Soup on a Chinese dining table, is usually a must-visit for all Tulou lovers. Nanjing Tulou also offers many other great Tulou at its Yunshuiyao Scenic Area, Hekeng Tulou Cluster and Taxia Village, etc.

Yongding Tulou (永定土楼) is another important member of Fujian Tulou. Compared with Nanjing Tulou, Yongding Tulou is a little bit further from Xiamen, the best gateway to visit Fujian Tulou. However, this is seldom a big problem for visitors heading there, because they usually travel around with the help of convenient and efficient private car service with local driver included. Yongding Tulou is also composed of several parts, including Hongkeng Tulou Cluster, Gaobei Tulou Cluster, Chuxi Tulou Cluster and Nanxi Tulou Cluster.

Hua'an Dadi Tulou (华安大地土楼) is often not that famous when compared with Nanjing Tulou and Yongding Tulou, because it is relatively far and not that impressive. However, there are still three earthen buildings that have been listed into the World Heritage Site List, including Eryi Building, Nanyang Building and Dongyang Building.

• Type: Cultural Site, UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites, Ancient Dwellings, Historical Relics
• Tickets: from CNY 50 per person
• Best Time to Visit: all year around
• Recommended Trip Length: 1~3 days
• Nanjing Tulou Location: Nanjing County, Zhangzhou City, Fujian, China (福建省漳州市南靖县，南靖土楼)
• Yongding Tulou Location: Yongding District, Longyan City, Fujian, China (福建省龙岩市永定区，永定土楼)

√ 2 Days Nanjing Tulou In-depth Tour (Nanjing Tulou)

√ 2 Days Classic Yongding Tulou & Nanjing Tulou Tour from Xiamen (Nanjing Tulou + Yongding Tulou)

√ 3 Days In-depth Fujian Tulou Tour with Hakka Cultural Experience (Nanjing Tulou + Yongding Tulou)

√ 5 Days Xiamen, Nanjing Tulou & Mount Wuyi Discovery Tour (Xiamen + Nanjing Tulou + Wuyi Mountain)

Wuyi Mountain Scenic Resort (武夷山风景名胜区), or called Wuyi Mountain or Wuyishan in short, is located in Wuyishan City of Nanping City on the northern part of Fujian Province. Entitled as both a World Natural Heritage Site and a World Cultural Heritage Site, Wuyi Mountain has no shortage of awe-inspiring wonders, natural, historic, cultural, each more picture perfect than the next.

The most attractive experience in Wuyi Mountain is the amazing bamboo rafting at Nine Bends Stream, with picturesque Karst Landscape slowly moving by and a gentle breeze winding through your face. On the moment you getting off the bamboo raft, you will be rewarded with Wuyi Palace, the oldest Taoist Temple of the whole Wuyi Mountain Scenic Resort. Wuyi Palace used to be the place where the emperors offered sacrifices to the god. Stroll around Wuyi Mountain, you will find many well-preserved old architectures and also a museum. Not far from the palace is a food street with various kinds of snacks for you to have a try.

Wuyi Mountain is also a paradise for hiking and trekking. Tianyou Peak, or named Heavenly Peak, offers excellent view for the surrounding landscape and is the most popular for hiking. In addition to Tianyou Peak, there are also Tiger Roaring Peak, Great King Peak, etc. The most exquisite trekking trail is the Yangu Huaxiang Hiking Trail from Dahongpao Scenic Area to Water Curtain Cave. Dahongpao Scenic Area is the place where one of China's greatest teas - Da Hong Pao Tea grows.

After night falls, a large-scale live performance named Impression Da Hong Pao is about to start, which is really a visual and audio enjoyment. Impression Dah Hong Pao is held in the open air in front of Mount Wuyi, with the real landscape of Wuyishan decorated with multicolored lights as the backdrop.

• Type: Mountains, Natural Site, UNESCO Cultural and Natural Site, Tea Plantation
• Tickets: from CNY 140 per person
• Best Time to Visit: spring, summer and early autumn
• Recommended Trip Length: 2~3 days
• Location: Wuyishan City, Nanping City, Fujian, China (福建省南平市武夷山市，武夷山)

√ 3 Days Classic Wuyi Mountain Tour (Wuyi Mountain)

√ 5 Days Xiamen, Nanjing Tulou & Mount Wuyi Discovery Tour (Xiamen + Nanjing Tulou + Wuyi Mountain)

Gulangyu Island (鼓浪屿) is situated at the southern part of Xiamen, Fujian. With reputations like "A Garden on the Sea", "Exhibition of World's Architecture" and "The Hometown of Music", Gulangyu Island is a popular tourist island with splendid coastal sceneries, colonial architectures and numerous interesting museums that perfectly for vacation. This relatively compact island boasts over 1,000 historical buildings and countless lanes, alleys, gardens and beaches. Highlights include Sunlight Rock, Shuzhuang Garden, Piano Museum, Haoyue Garden, Organ Museum and so on.

In order to get to Gulangyu Island, visitors are required to catch a ferry at one of the three ports in Xiamen, including Xiamen International Cruise Terminal, Lundu Port and Songgu Port. During the day, Xiamen International Cruise Terminal is the most popular choice, while Lundu Port is more popular at night, because it is the only port with night ship available. On the Gulangyu Island Side, there are also two ports for you to choose, including Sanqiutian Port and Neicuoao Port. Sanqiutian Port has both day ferries and night ferries, while Neicuoao Port only provides ferry service from/to Songgu Port and Xiamen Inetantional Cruise Terminal during the day.

• Type: Island, Natural Site
• Tickets: free
• Best Time to Visit: all year around
• Recommended Trip Length: half day or one day
• Location: Siming District, Xiamen, Fujian, China (福建省厦门市思明区，鼓浪屿)

√ 2 Days Xiamen City Tour with Gulangyu Island (Xiamen City + Gulangyu Island)

Sanfang Qixiang (三坊七巷) is a busy historical block in the city center of Fuzhou. Its name Sanfang is literally means Three Lanes and Qixiang means Seven Alleys in English. Therefore, Sanfang Qixiang is also known as Three Lanes and Seven Alleys. As its name implies, Sanfang Qixiang is composed of three mottled lanes and seven historical alleys. In between those lanes and alleys are over 270 well-preserved old dwellings, some of which are the homes of many celebrities in China's modern history.

Sanfang Qixiang is entitled with many reputations, like "Top 10 Famous Historical and Cultural Streets in China", "The Beverly Hills of Imperial China", "Living Fossils of China's Urban Lane System" and "Museum of Chinese Architecture of Ming and Qing Dynasties". A tour getting close to Sanfang Qixiang is said to somewhat step back to China's modern history. As a famous saying goes, "One Sanfang Qixiang equals half of China's modern history," which is a perfect evidence of its significant role in history.

Aside from its old dwellings, the nowadays Sanfang Qixiang is also a busy tourist site for foodies and shoppers. Rows of small shops, restaurants and other entertainments are opened on the two sides of the lanes and alleys. Whether you are looking for something to eat or some handicrafts and souvenirs to buy, Sanfang Qixiang will give want you want. Most of the shops won't be closed until the mid-night.

• Type: Historic Block, Ancient Lanes and Alleys, Historical Relics, Ancient Dwellings
• Tickets: free
• Best Time to Visit: all year around
• Recommended Trip Length: half day or one day
• Location: Gulou District, Fuzhou, Fujian, China (福建省福州市鼓楼区，三坊七巷)

√ 2 Days Fuzhou Highlights Tour (Fuzhou)

√ 4 Days Classic Xiamen & Nanjing Tulou Tour with Fuzhou Highlights (Xiamen + Nanjing Tulou + Fuzhou)

Xiapu Mudflat (霞浦滩涂), a beautiful place in Xiapu County, Ningde City, Fujian, is very famous among photographers. It is praised as one of the "Top 10 Domestic Photography Bases" by photography enthusiasts. This stunning region is a masterpiece co-created by the wind, the sun, the sea, the earth, the beach, the surrounding mountains and also the local "sea gypsies". With the rotation of the earth and the moving of sun and wind, the tides rise and fall. The wet mudflats are sparkling in a mixed ever-changing color, like pink, golden, blue, white, gray, etc. The surrounding mountains and rows or rings of bamboo poles, fish nets and stone columns inset by the local fisherman add more mysterious shadows and a sense of layers of the scenery. Every corner and every second in Xiapu Mudflat are just so amazing that will stop your steps to leave and make you wanting to return over and over again!

There is a series of places to create beautiful pictures in Xiapu Mudflat, including Beiqi Village, Gulingxia Village, Shatangli Village, Shajiang Village and Hanjiang Village, etc.

• Type: Natural Site
• Tickets: free
• Best Time to Visit: all year around
• Recommended Trip Length: 1~3 days
• Location: Xiapu County, Ningde City, Fujian, China (福建省宁德市霞浦县，霞浦滩涂)

√ 4 Days Fujian Xiapu Mudflat Photography Tour (Xiapu Mudflat)

√ 6 Days Hakka Culture and Mudflat: Tulou & Xiapu (Xiamen + Tulou + Xiapu)

Foodies? You should never forget to treat yourself with delicious Min Cuisine (Fujian Cuisine) of this region. Min is the abbreviation and the ancient name of Fujian. And Min Cuisine, or called Fujian Cuisine, is one of the Top 8 Cuisines in China! Fujian Cuisine has much in common with the food and dishes in its nearby regions like Taiwan and Guangdong. It is famous for its clean, clear and fresh flavors, especially in its soups. Thanks to its unbeatable locations of sitting along the coastline, its dishes are rich in a wide variety of seafood, like shrimp, snail, clam, sturgeon, oyster and so on! The condiments mainly used include sugar, vinegar, satay, sauce, pepper, etc.

Fuzhou and Xiamen are our pick of best cities to savor Fujian Cuisine. Recommended Places to Eat in Fujian include the busy tourist streets like Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street in Xiamen and Three Lanes and Seven Alleys in Fuzhou, as well as some little-known restaurants hidden at the corner of streets. If you ask much about the environment, you are also suggested to try some popular restaurants like Yanyu Restaurant (宴遇), Juchunyuan Restaurant (聚春园), Antai Restaurant (安泰楼酒家), etc.

• Food Price: from CNY 10
• Food Flavor: clean, fresh, sweet, sour and slightly spicy
• Popular Dishes: Buddha Jumps over the Wall, Stewed Chicken with Three Cups Sauce, Tai Chi Prawns, Sweet and Sour Lychees, Drunk Chicken with Fermented Glutinous Rice, Steamed Strengthening Fish

√ 3 Days Joyous Xiamen & Tulou Tour with Huandao Road Cycling (Xiamen + Tulou)

Historically known as "The Buddhist Country", Quanzhou, the cultural ancient city, is rich in Buddhist culture and relics. And the best place to explore its Buddhist atmosphere and history is, of course, Kaiyuan Temple (开元寺) in its city downtown. Kaiyuan Temple is the largest temple in the whole Fujian Province. It was firstly built in AD 686 during the Tang Dynasty, with a long history of over 1,300 years till now. The Temple once enjoyed the equal fame of the Baima Temple in Luoyang, the Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou and the Guangji Temple in Beijing in history.

Covering an area of 78,000 square meters, Kaiyuan Temple boasts many landmarks, including the Mahavira Hall, the Depositary of Buddhist Text, Quanzhou Buddhist Museum (the Memorial Hall of Master Hongyi), the Great Buddha's Hall, the Ganlu Ordination Platform and two rust-colored stone towers standing respectively on the eastern and western sides. The whole temple is proud of its excellent sculptures and stone carvings. Only on the surface of the East Tower, or called Zhenguo Tower, you can find as many as 80 sculptures, each of which tells the visitors a story of Buddhism. On the square where the West Tower stands there is also an entire wall of sculptures created by a mix of colored glaze, brick carving and porcelain sculpture. Right in the middle of the wall is a giant Chinese dragon in green, red, blue, yellow, ink, etc. In addition to the exquisite carvings and sculptures, there is also a museum settled inside Kaiyuan Temple, where you will find dazzling art treasures off all ages.

• Type: Old Temple, Historical Site
• Tickets: free
• Best Time to Visit: all year around
• Recommended Trip Length: 2 hours or so
• Location: West Street, Quanzhou, Fujian, China (福建省泉州市西街，开元寺)

√ 2 Days Quanzhou Marine Culture Tour from Xiamen (Xiamen + Quanzhou)

Ningde Global Geopark (宁德世界地质公园) is located in between the Taimu and Jiufeng Mountain ranges. The park is mostly famed for its splendid miarolitic mountainous land formations, gorgeous volcanic land formation, mysterious ravine and riverbed land formation and Coastal and Marine erosion land formation that lead to a variety of wonderful mountains, caves, valleys, waterfalls, deep pools and other beautiful attractions. On October 3, 2010, Ningde Geological Park was officially included in the UNESCO World Geological Park Network List and won the title of "Ningde Global Geopark"!

The whole Ningde Global Geopark covers a large area of over 2,660 square kilometers. And it is composed of three main scenic areas, including Baishuiyang (白水洋), Baiyun Mountain (白云山) and Taimu Mountain (太姥山). The three areas are distributed in Ningde City, Fuan City and Fuding City of Fujian Province, with at least 1.5 hours away by car in between them.

Normally, visitors ride a car from Fuzhou, the capital of this region, to visit Baishuiyang and Baiyun Mountain. Taimu Mountain is very close to Xiapu Mudflat. Driving from Xiapu to Taimu Mountain takes only one hour or so. There is also a bullet train station of the same name - Taimushan Railway Station built about 17 kilometers and half an hour away from the scenic area by car. Taimushan Railway Station offers bullet train service to/from Xiamen, Fuzhou, Xiapu, Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, etc.

• Type: Natural Site, UNESCO World Geopark
• Tickets: from CNY 100 per person
• Best Time to Visit: all year around
• Recommended Trip Length: 1~2 days
• Location: Ningde City, Fujian (福建省宁德市，宁德世界地质公园)

Taining Danxia is a vital part of Danxai Landscape in China, which was listed into UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010. It is praised as "Where China's Danxia Stories Begin" by geoscientists from home and abroad. For visitors, when talking about Taining Danxia, it usually refers to Taining Scenic Tourist Area (泰宁风景区), which is composed of 9 scenic areas, including the most popular Dajin Lake Scenic Area (Big Golden Lake Scenic Area), Shangqing Stream, Taining Old Town, etc.

Big Golden Lake Scenic Area (大金湖景区) offers splendid Danxia view, with uneven cliffs, high walls of rocks characterized by plunging crevasses, rust-colored stone pillars rising from the water. There is also an exquisite temple built on the cliff, namely Ganlu Temple. The best way to explore this beautiful lake area is by boat, which will take the visitors winding through the narrow valleys and channels in between the rocks and cliffs.

Shangqing Stream (上清溪) is the upper reach of Big Golden Lake. Its name Shangqing means fairyland in Taoism. And just as its name implies, Shangqing Stream is a beautiful wonderland. Visitors can enjoy bamboo rafting and learn distant and mysterious supernatural Taoist stories and fairytales here.

Taining Old Town (泰宁古城) has a long history of over 1,340 years. Here, visitors can find ancient buildings built during over 500 years from early Ming Dynasty to late Qing Dynasty. Well-preserved Shangshudi Complex, the unique buildings of ancient ministers that are rare to see anywhere else, can also be found here.

• Type: Natural Site, World Natural Heritage Site, Danxia Mountain
• Tickets: from CNY 80 per person
• Best Time to Visit: all year around
• Recommended Trip Length: half day or one day
• Location: Taining County, Sanming City, Fujian, China (福建省三明市泰宁县，泰宁丹霞)

Meizhou Island (湄洲岛) enjoys the reputation of Mecca of the East. It is a wonderful place blessed with romantic and charming coastal scenery and rich in sacred Mazu Culture.

There are as many as 13 golden beaches and five kilometers of magical maritime erosion rocks dotted along its coastline. The turquoise blue sea, bright sunshine, glittering beaches, strange-shaped erosion rocks are eternal themes here. What a dreamland for vacation!

Meizhou Island is also the birthplace of Mazu, the Chinese Goodness of the Sea. Worship of Mazu spreads the coastal provinces in China and centralized living places of overseas Chinese in Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, America and so on. While there are over 5,000 Mazu Temple distributed in more than 20 countries and regions in the world, the Mazu Temple on Meizhou Island is the ancestor of all the rest. Every year, especially during Mazu Festival held on lunar March 23, the birthday of Mazu, and September 9, the Ascension Day of Mazu, flocks of visitors will gather at Meizhou Island to worship Mazu.

• Type: Natural Island, Religious Temple
• Tickets: free for the island, CNY 30 per person for Mazu Temple
• Best Time to Visit: all year around
• Recommended Trip Length: one day or so
• Location: No.1588, Meizhou Avenue, Xiuyu District, Putian City, Fujian Province, China (福建省莆田市秀屿区湄洲大道1588号，湄洲岛)