Day 1: Quanzhou gathering day
All day
1. Today is the gathering day. Tourists from all over the country will gather in Quanzhou. Once at your designated hotel, please provide "China - Travel Note + Name" to check in. Check-in is usually after 2:00 PM. Early arrivals can leave their luggage at the front desk. Afterwards, you'll have free time!
2. Quanzhou is the city of light described by Jacob d'Ancona, the city of Citong with fiery flowers, and the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road. But when you actually come to Quanzhou, you will find that it is a city that makes people feel close from the details - a tile with carved cloud patterns, a bowl of satisfying noodle soup, a plaque under a street stall - the city is small but full of surprises. It only takes one day to fall in love with Quanzhou.
Recommended travel:
Stroll along Zhongshan Middle Road's pedestrian street to experience the charm of the Republic of China. Visit the Bell Tower and then head straight to West Street. Visit Xiaoxicheng, watch the sunset over the Twin Towers from the Rooftop Café, and explore hidden snacks along the alleys.
Food recommendations:
Noodle soup, rice dumplings, agar-agar paste, steak, vinegar pork
Day 2: Quanzhou Kaiyuan Temple → Qingjing Mosque → Guanyu Temple → Crab Village → Luoyang Bridge → Hui'an
All day
1. Experience the charm of Quanzhou's diverse religious culture, visiting Kaiyuan Temple, Qingjing Mosque, and Guanyu Temple, where the gods revel here. Follow the footsteps of a local guide as you explore the temples, discovering angel paintings, sphinxes, and millennium lotuses. Your guide will lead you to the East and West Pagodas, the filming location for "Black Myth: Wukong," where you can find the elusive Great Xuanzang and Little Wukong, as well as Monkey King and Young Tang Monk, who predate the original "Journey to the West" by 300 years. (The tour lasts approximately 2 hours, and the drive takes approximately 30 minutes.)
2. Proceed to [Xiepu Village] (approximately 20 minutes' drive): This is the port where the Maritime Silk Road started during the Song and Yuan Dynasties. Residents here are descendants of ancient Arabs who build their houses with oyster shells. We will walk along the street into the characteristic "oyster houses" and have Xiapu aunties help us dress up and put on flowers, and then change into Xiapu clothing. (The tour lasts approximately 1 hour.)
3. Then depart for Hui'an and pass by [Luoyang Bridge], known as the first bridge in China. Its "standing like the East and West Pagodas, lying like the Luoyang Bridge" symbolizes the spirit of the Quanzhou people - "staying true to one's heart" and "being open-minded". In the evening, you can stroll on the Xisha Bay beach on your own.
Recommended dishes: Beef Soup, Ginger Duck, Chongwu Fish Roll
During the peak season, the order of sightseeing will be adjusted according to the time without reducing the number of sightseeing
Day 3 Hui'an → Chongwu Ancient Town → Pingtan → Beigang → Changjiangao → Pingtan County
All day
1. In the morning, arrive at the old town of Chongwu Ancient City (free scenic spot), enter the city from the Water Gate, and listen to the old town speaker describe this famous city that resisted the Japanese invaders: its low-key and simple, yet glorious and splendid (about 1 hour tour);
2. Then head to Pingtan Island (approximately 2 hours drive):
Beigang Village is a popular filming location for various variety shows. Wander through the ancient stone village and experience the magical sound of "singing stones" in the sea breeze (approximately 1 hour).
3. Drive north at 40 mph to enjoy the stunning sea views: a coastal highway comparable to Hualien, Taiwan, with seaside stone houses and terraced rice fields, and the commanding heights of Beilanling (in case of traffic restrictions, the drive will be reduced to a 30-minute drive).
4. Fantasy [Changjiangao Windmill Field]: Run freely on the vast beach or catch cute little crabs and hermit crabs on the rocky beach (approximately 1 hour)
In the evening, you can enjoy free time and stroll along the Longfengtou Beach near the county seat, or visit the Pingtan Night Market at People's Square (formerly the bus station).
During the peak season, the order of sightseeing will be adjusted according to the time without reducing the number of sightseeing
Day 4 Pingtan → Fishing Raft → Beibu Bay Land Trail → Hotel
All day
1. Start the morning with a Sea Gypsy Tour – play with pufferfish, see sea monsters, and enjoy marine recreational facilities like floating bridges, buoyant cars, and sea carpets. Head out to sea to collect crab traps (approximately 1 hour): Each person collects approximately 10 traps – crab? octopus? grouper? seahorse? See which marine life/food you're drawn to, and harvest your catch for a snack.
2. In the afternoon, head to the Beibu Gulf Landao Road in the northernmost part of Pingtan Island and start your offshore windmill field road trip:
Windmill Forest Road: Tall casuarina trees on both sides block out the sun, and sunlight filters through the gaps between the leaves. Through the trees, you can see the fantastical world of giant windmills.
Stroll along the [Glass Plank Road at Sea], then drive slowly along the coastal road. The huge windmills on the shore slowly turn overhead, making you feel like you are in a beautiful windmill kingdom.
Climb to the highest point of Beibu Gulf and overlook the magnificent fishing rafts and offshore windmills
Special note: If the glass plank road is under traffic control, please change to other viewing platforms on the Beibu Bay Landao according to the actual policy;
During the peak season, the order of sightseeing will be adjusted according to the time without reducing the number of sightseeing
Day 5 Pingtan → Houyan Island → Drop off at Fuzhou South Station and Fuzhou Station
All day
1. In the morning, head to the 68 Nautical Mile Scenic Area, starting with Xianshan Island, where you’ll find pure blue waters, yellow sea erosion landforms, Zen-like concentric rocks, and the popular lighthouse on Douyin.
2. Visit Houyan Island and Xianshan Island, check in on the popular small road, make a wish at the Star Tower, the same model as Qixingtan in Hualien, and take a photo with the postmarked frame at 68 nautical miles from Taiwan;
In the afternoon, you will be dropped off at Fuzhou South or Fuzhou Station according to the schedule (departing from Pingtan at approximately 13:00, the journey takes about 1.5 hours). It is recommended to purchase a train departing from Fuzhou South after 15:00 or Fuzhou Station after 15:30 (those purchasing a train departing from Pingtan Station will need to take a taxi to the destination, which is approximately a 20-minute drive).
