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When you think of Zhejiang, what comes to mind? Hangzhou, nestled by West Lake? Yiwu, the world's leading small commodity market? Or the business-savvy people of Wenzhou? But today, I'm going to introduce you to a small city in southern Zhejiang that will surely broaden your horizons.
Quzhou is located in the southwest of Zhejiang Province, in the upper reaches of the Qiantang River. It borders Fujian to the south, Jiangxi to the west, and Huangshan, Anhui to the north. It intersects with Jinhua, Lishui and Hangzhou in the province. The tourism and transportation network system is extremely developed. The high-speed rail stations cover Jiangshan, Kaihua, Longyou and Kecheng in the urban area. It is known as the "thoroughfare of four provinces and the head of five roads".
As one of only two Confucian ancestral halls in China, Quzhou has adopted "Southern Confucian Holy Land, Quzhou Knows Courtesy" as its city brand. As you stroll through the city, you'll notice many residents greet each other with a bow. Don't be surprised by this seemingly time-traveling ambiance; here are the key points of a standard bow. Learn it now!
Since Quzhou launched its "Global Free Tours in Quzhou" policy in 2017, it has attracted numerous tourists from home and abroad. Fifteen renowned scenic spots, including Jianglang Mountain and Nianbadu, have joined the program. In addition, over 80 cultural and tourism attractions, including distinctive scenic villages, industrial tourism sites, revolutionary tourism sites, and public cultural venues, offer year-round free admission, totaling over 100 free scenic spots (venues).
Tips:
ps: Except for national holidays and weekends, participating scenic spots are open free of charge from Monday to Friday.
Quzhou is rich in tourism resources and is a beautiful ecological back garden that is seriously underestimated by tourism in the province. There are more than 100 tourist attractions and various leisure tourism check-in spots with rich business formats in the area. There are still many stories about this city waiting for us to explore. If you are going to Quzhou, then I recommend you to play it like this (pure dry goods article)
The following are some of the main tourist spots I know for your reference. Please combine your personal experience with your own.
This place, along with the Bell Tower Base described below, is what I personally think best embodies the character of Quzhou's old city. It's also a must-see attraction in Quzhou, known as a "museum without walls." The streets are lined with shops steeped in Quzhou's Nan Kong culture. I recommend visiting in the evening, as it's quieter during the day, but the atmosphere and photo opportunities are fantastic at night. There's also a 5D water light show, and you can stroll along Shuiting Street to the internet-famous bridge and the West District prairie (the prairie isn't lit at night, so daytime is recommended).
Compared to the bustling Shuitingmen, the Bell Tower Base seems to have gone through a long time, and you can see the warmth of the older generation after dinner. When you go to Mazhandi for dinner, you can stop by and take a look. It is also one of my street photography spots.
This is one of only two remaining Confucius temples in China, steeped in Confucian culture. Before you enter, you'll be given a super cute mini-edition of the Analects. No reservations are required, and admission is 10 yuan. Students can get a 50% discount with their student ID or a student ID from the China Higher Education Student Information and Career Center (CHSICC). It's also a great place to check in and take photos in autumn and winter, and you'll find the same red walls as the Forbidden City.
It is right next to the Confucius Temple. Friends who like visiting museums can stop by to have a look. If you don’t like it, there is nothing fun to do there. There is a huge and complete dinosaur skeleton fossil at the entrance, and most of the collections in the museum are various historical and artistic collections.
Who would exchange a hundred years of human affairs for a game of chess in the mountains? The myth of Wang Zhi chopping wood may be more attractive than the mountain itself. Personally, I don't recommend visiting here because there's really nothing to climb, see, or photograph. However, locals do enjoy hiking and strolling in the mountains. You can also go to the nearby Jingxi Flower Sea, which is quite photogenic and only a short distance away (flowering period is May and October).
I have been to this place several times, and I always felt that there was nothing fun to do there. It was nothing more than watching monkeys and eating bamboo rice, but the rafting in the summer was pretty good.
There are various root carving artworks. If you like them, you can come and have a look. People of the same age around me don’t seem to be very interested, hahaha.
It is a scenic spot with beautiful mountains and rivers. If it is a family trip, it is a good idea to bring your parents to play. There are high-altitude glass plank roads and rappels. It is recommended to visit here in summer.
I wish I could grow wings so I could travel with you intoxicated by the mist and clouds. Jianglang Mountain is world-famous for its majestic and unique "Three Pieces of Stone". It boasts over 100 scenic spots, including the most unique peak in China's Danxia, the country's largest "One Line Sky", and the thousand-year-old Kaiming Zen Temple. It is the first World Natural Heritage Site in Zhejiang Province. Xu Xiake praised the strangeness, danger and mystery of Jianglang Mountain during his three visits to Jiangshan. It was praised as "the most majestic and beautiful mountain in the world, and the most beautiful mountain in the southeast". It is well worth a visit.
An important military fortress in ancient times, straddling the three provinces of Zhejiang, Fujian and Jiangxi, it is known as the "Key to Fengxi". With its Hui-style walls, Zhejiang-style roofs and Fujian-style brick walls, it is known as "a dream lost in the mountains." Walking along the ancient road, it seems that time has forgotten this place. There are too many stories worth your careful savoring here.
Known as the "Ninth Wonder of the World" and "China's Ancient Greek Temple," the Longyou Grottoes are the world's largest discovered ancient underground man-made structure, integrating humanity, art, culture, and engineering. Since their discovery, numerous renowned experts and scholars have studied them, but their excavation date and purpose remain unsolved, leaving them a mystery for centuries. While there aren't many things to do here, if you enjoy these types of attractions, you might want to stop by and explore.
You can get there by bus or taxi. The location is relatively far from the city. There are grass sliding, go-karts, real-life CS, hot air balloons, outdoor barbecues, etc. It is more suitable for young people to play. It is pretty good and very popular among locals on weekends.
East China's first jungle flying project, with five treetop routes, is very exciting! The city bus can directly reach it. There is also a stream at the foot of the mountain. Whether it is a streamside barbecue or a group of rural blockbusters, it is very good. I highly recommend it!
I used to think it was boring, but after playing with photography, I found that there were all kinds of small animals, go-karts, and windmills inside, which is very suitable for picnics and taking pictures~
The most beautiful autumn scenery, ancient houses, internet-famous B&Bs, and rafting. Here, you can look up at the rolling mountains, listen to the breeze from Songgang, and chat with friends. It is a good place to escape the city and relax.
Dongping Village has been incredibly popular over the past two years, boasting a tranquil Tang Dynasty-era trail, a cluster of ancient trees, and the most stunning autumn displays of crimson persimmons and maples. Many come for the sight of the village, ablaze with crimson persimmons in autumn, and are captivated by the trails, starry skies, sunsets, farm work, drying persimmons, Hui-style architecture, and popular B&Bs. Whether you're looking for a leisurely stroll, scenic photography, outdoor hiking, a spot to check in with influencers, or any other reason, this is a must-visit!
This is a truly unique attraction! Known as the No. 1 No. 1 Keng in East China, rappelling down the cave entrance with a headlamp and a rope is a must-do for outdoor enthusiasts. Inside, with its grotesque stalactites and shimmering silver stars, it's hailed as "East China's best rock climbing destination."
The lake is in fact a mountain. It is the highest peak in Longyou County, Quzhou. Every spring, azaleas bloom across the mountain, creating a dazzling display. In winter, the mountaintops are blanketed in snow, attracting numerous photography and hiking enthusiasts to climb to the summit for a breathtaking view.
Tips:
Tips: Some attractions are far from the main city and are scattered in various districts. Please remember to plan your time and route carefully.
There is a hotly debated question online: If a spicy food eating competition were organized, who do you think would be better, people from Quzhou or people from Sichuan?
Northern Zhejiang is sweet, eastern Zhejiang is salty, and southern Zhejiang is bland. It seems many people have a stereotype that Zhejiang people can't handle spicy food. But today, I'm here to challenge that perception. I've invited college classmates to Quzhou more than once, and unsurprisingly, it's boosted sales of Wanglaoji herbal tea at our restaurants. A Sichuanese woman who married in Quzhou once said, "Sichuan spicy food is fragrant, while Quzhou spicy food is fresh and spicy. Sichuan cuisine is spicy enough to linger, while Quzhou cuisine is spicy enough to be frightening."
They are rabbit head, duck head, fish head, and duck feet, a must-try! One of the must-try specialties in Quzhou, there are many shops selling them in Quzhou. Although the taste is different, they are basically delicious. If you want to challenge the spiciness, you can check in at Hangbu Xiaoping Duck Head (many food bloggers check in~)
This shop is located in Jinshi Lane, Shuitingmen Scenic Area. Personally, I feel that the taste is not as authentic as other places in Quzhou, but it basically covers all the special snacks of Quzhou. The decoration style is very beautiful. If you want to try Quzhou snacks in one go, then this place is definitely worth a visit (Zhang Deqi's egg-filled pancake next to it is also delicious!)
A food paradise in the city, very close to the bottom of the clock tower. Personally, I think there are almost no restaurants that are not delicious. You can go to the store according to your preferences. I won’t recommend them to you individually~
You must eat the crystal cake! You must eat the crystal cake! You must eat the crystal cake! I can't say this enough! I highly recommend it! Everyone must buy it! It's really delicious! It's a delicacy you can't find anywhere else!!!
What's a trip to Quzhou without trying Quzhou Malatang? It's a must-try dish with friends every time I go back! I've been craving it for so long studying and working away from home! I recommend Lei Ji Malatang and Xiana Malatang.
I brought many friends to Quzhou, and they all missed the Quzhou baked cakes. Here I recommend Yu Ji baked cakes in the city, a time-honored gold medal brand (the store also has Quzhou's cold vermicelli and the duck head and crystal cake mentioned above, full star recommendation), located in the back alley behind the Guojin.
Quzhou also has many delicious foods like taro rice dumplings, Duze sausage, Lao Du sauce cake, steamed meatballs, scallion steamed buns, fried cakes, rice cakes, cornstarch dumplings, Longyou steamed cakes, and more. We recommend coming here with an empty stomach, or you won't be able to fill up! We look forward to everyone coming to try them!
(️Warm tip: If you can’t eat spicy food, remember to ask the boss not to add spicy food. As the only city in Zhejiang that eats spicy food, it’s said that all hot pots in Quzhou are spicy hahahaha)
① Quzhou has a well-developed transportation network. If you come by high-speed rail, Wanda Plaza is right next to Quzhou Station. You can take a short break and have a meal before going to the hotel to store your luggage.
②There are buses right outside the high-speed rail station. Bus No. 102 (towards Quzhou University) or Bus No. 7 (towards Chunjiang Garden) can go directly to the city center. Please be careful not to take the wrong bus.
③ My personal suggestion is to book a room near the IFC in the city (get off at the People's Hospital station if you take the bus from the train station). It will be convenient to visit several major places.
④ If you plan to visit Jianglang Mountain or something like that, just choose a high-speed rail stop in a certain area and book a room according to your own schedule.
This concludes all the articles about Quzhou tourism. If you have any questions, you can leave a message in the comment section, or follow me and chat privately. Finally, I wish you all a happy trip to Quzhou.
