I spent 3 days in Fuzhou and my concept of spending collapsed.
by Victoria Harrington
Mar 25, 2025
When the love tree in Sanfang Qixiang is edged with gold by the setting sun, when the Min River cruise boats glide past neon reflections, this "Blessed City" is conquering every traveler with its vibrant atmosphere and affordability! Having just returned from Fuzhou, I'll take out my account book and show you the clear figures—it turns out that enjoying Fuzhou can be done for just 300 yuan a day, covering the romance of both mountains and seas, as well as ancient houses✨
I. Transportation: 200 yuan for city-wide travel 🚌
1. Hassle-free Transportation Formula
• ✈️ Airport → City Center: Airport Express Bus 31 yuan/person (saves 130+ compared to a taxi!)
• 🚅 High-Speed Rail Tip: Fuzhou Railway Station is closer to the city center than Fuzhou South Railway Station. Metro Line 1 goes directly to Sanfang Qixiang for only 2 yuan 💰
2. City Transportation Magic
• 🚇 Subway Network: Single trips cost 2-7 yuan. Scan the code to get the "E-Fuzhou" electronic card for a 10% discount.
• 🚲 Shared Bikes: 2 yuan/hour to explore the ancient alleys. Cycling from Yantaishan → Shangxiahang in 15 minutes is super relaxing.
• 🚗 Pingtan Island Bonus: Car rental 200 yuan/day. Driving the coastal road to chase windmills and seas is 50% cheaper than taking a taxi!
II. Accommodation: 100 yuan per person for a poetic stay 🏨
1. King of Cost-Effectiveness in the Core Area
• 🏡 Around Sanfang Qixiang:
 ◦ Budget Hotels: Hanting/Home Inn 150-200 yuan, a 5-minute walk to the Lin Zexu Memorial Hall.
 ◦ Characteristic Homestays: Courtyard lofts with patios in the old town, 80 yuan per person to experience ancient house living 🌿
2. Hidden Gems for Art Lovers
• 🌃 Yantaishan Historical District:
 ◦ Designer Hotels: 270° river-view rooms for 120 yuan per person, the perfect spot for night photography of Zhongzhou Island's light show 📸
 ◦ Youth Hostels: 50 yuan/bed, rooftop concerts and backpacker stories 🎸
III. Food: 200 yuan to eat all the flavors of Min cuisine 🍜
1. Must-Try Trio (50 yuan per person max)
• 🍲 Old Fuzhou Thirty Years · Fuzhou Flavor:
 ◦ Small Buddha Jumps Over the Wall for 38 yuan, Lychee Meat + Southern Fried Liver set meal for 25 yuan.
 ◦ 📍Avoid: Branches in scenic areas have a 20% markup. It is recommended to go to the main store on Daming Road.
• 🍡 Pioneer Market Traditional Flavors:
 ◦ Taro paste 3 yuan/box, fish balls 5 yuan/skewer, a paradise for sticky rice lovers 🍡
 ◦ 💡Hidden Tip: Buy seafood at the market entrance and have it processed for 10 yuan. Super fresh!
2. Late-Night Food Secrets
• 🌙 Daming Food Street:
 ◦ Cui Jiang Fried Chicken 18 yuan, Iced Olive Juice 5 yuan, the perfect antidote to greasy food 🍗
 ◦ 📸Photogenic Food: Mrs. Bing Taro Cake + Tang Mo Cha Xi Mu Li Fu, 15 yuan to capture the "Twelve Hours of Fuzhou."
IV. Attractions: 200 yuan to unlock dual time-spaces 🏯
1. Free Exploration List
• 🆓 Must-sees for Free:
 ◦ Sanfang Qixiang Main Street (avoid commercial shops, the alleys are more photogenic)
 ◦ Fudao Night Tour (the aerial forest walkway is lit up like the Milky Way)🌌
 ◦ Min River Night Cruise (the free viewing platform at Beijiangbin Park saves you 80 yuan on boat tickets)
2. Ticket Investment Guide
• 🎟️ High-Return Attractions:
 ◦ Gushan Cable Car Round Trip 50 yuan: Overlooking Fuzhou City + Yongquan Temple vegetarian meal for 15 yuan.
 ◦ Shipbuilding Culture City 30 yuan: Immersive theater is worth the ticket price, the first choice for parent-child study tours ⛵
V. Pitfalls to Avoid: The secret to saving 100 yuan 💡
• 🍉 Scenic Area Rip-offs: Cut fruit is 50% more expensive. Bring your own oranges/cherry tomatoes 🍊
• 🚕 Taxi Traps: Airport black cars overcharge. Insist on using the meter or book a ride-hailing service in advance.
• 🍽️ Internet-Famous Restaurants: Waiting in line for 2 hours at a popular restaurant is not as good as the "Yi Tu Lao Hua" in the alley for 20 yuan.
Pack your bags! Take this spending map and let Fuzhou's ancient charm and fresh flavors tell you: high-quality travel never requires emptying your wallet 🧳💖
Post by Victoria Harrington | Mar 25, 2025












