Quanzhou Tianhou Temple and opera, a treasure trove of Fujian style experience

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Quanzhou Tianhou Temple and opera, a treasure trove of Fujian style experience

When you come to Quanzhou, you can’t miss the Tianhou Temple and the charming Minnan opera. These two places are full of Quanzhou style, so make a plan now!

📍Visit Tianhou Temple

Quanzhou Tianhou Temple is located in the urban area of ​​Quanzhou. It is very convenient to take the bus. There are many bus lines to get there, such as Bus No. 6, Bus No. 19, etc. Just get off at Tianhou Road Station. If you drive, there are parking lots nearby, but parking spaces are a bit tight during holidays, so arrive early to park.

Tianhou Temple has a very long history and is an important place for worshiping Mazu. The architecture is very southern Fujian style, with a high upturned swallowtail ridge and exquisite carvings. Whether it is a dragon head or flowers, birds, fish and insects, they are all lifelike. When you enter the Tianhou Temple, you will be overwhelmed by the historical atmosphere. Here you can not only worship Mazu, but also learn about the culture of Mazu belief. And if you are lucky, you may even come across the Mazu worship ceremony. The scene is very lively, with various rituals very elaborate and particularly shocking.

🎭Experience of Southern Fujian Opera

In Quanzhou, if you want to watch authentic Minnan opera, such as Liyuan Opera and Gaojia Opera, you can go to Liyuan Classical Theater or some old teahouses. The performance time is not fixed, so check it online in advance or ask the locals.

The singing style of Liyuan Opera is graceful and delicate, and the performance pays great attention to details. Every move of the actors is full of charm. A flick of the sleeves and a glance are absolutely stunning! Gaojia Opera is even more interesting. The clown's performance is exaggerated and humorous, especially the "puppet"-like movements, which are very funny and make people laugh non-stop. While watching the opera, you can order a cup of local tea, eat some melon seeds, and leisurely immerse yourself in the culture of southern Fujian.

🌟Play experience

When I went to Tianhou Temple, I happened to see believers worshipping devoutly. The atmosphere was solemn and warm, and I immediately felt the weight of Mazu belief in the hearts of Quanzhou people. That night when I watched the opera, I was deeply attracted by the wonderful performances of the actors. Although I couldn’t understand some of the Minnan dialect, the unique accent and vivid performance were really charming. Quanzhou's Tianhou Temple and opera, one is a manifestation of faith, the other is an artistic inheritance, both are worth experiencing to feel the unique charm of this ancient city.

Post by AOLIyou | Apr 20, 2025