Must-visit hidden gems for photography in Quanzhou – save this list!

Quanzhou boasts numerous photogenic temple spots worth checking out. Here are some recommendations:

**Kaiyuan Temple**
• **Vermilion Wall of Mahavira Hall**: The red wall on the other side of the hall is a "Forbidden City-style vermilion wall." The main gate offers a perfect frame for the temple and ancient pagoda, while the carved lattice windows make great photo elements.
• **Open Space in Front of East & West Pagodas**: These pagodas embody a millennium of Quanzhou's culture. Capture their intricate details here, especially during spring when cherry and peach blossoms line the ancient path.
• **Windows of Nearby Old Houses**: Use window frames as natural "picture frames" to highlight the twin pagodas and traditional houses, adding depth and storytelling to your shots.

**Chengtian Temple**
• **Incense Burner at Mahavira Hall**: Stand before the burner in front of the main hall (known as "Minnan’s Premier Temple") for a timeless shot through its smoke.
• **Corridors**: The right-side corridor of the hall features windows perfect for photos, plus exquisite 24 Deva reliefs on the walls.
• **"Buddhist Kingdom of Southern Quanzhou" Plaque**: This inscribed plaque at the corridor’s end adds cultural gravitas to your backdrop.

**Quanzhou Confucian Temple**
• **Red-Tiled Sloping Roofs**: From a restaurant’s second-floor vantage point nearby, capture the iconic Minnan architecture—red tiles, dragon-spine ridges, and whitewashed walls.
• **Pan Pond**: The serene pond with Dacheng Hall in the background highlights the temple’s solemnity and antiquity.
• **Chongsheng Shrine**: Unique architectural details like doors, beams, and pillars make this shrine a photogenic spot.

**Luojia Temple (Shishi)**
• **"Favorable Weather" Archway**: At the entrance, the archway seems to merge with the sea, creating a fairy-tale vibe.
• **Floating Bridge & Reefs**: At high tide, the reefs appear to float, beautifully contrasting with the temple’s structures.
• **Golden Coast Visitor Center’s 2nd-Floor Platform**: A prime spot for panoramic shots of the temple and sea views.

**Qingjing Mosque**
• **Gatehouse with Triple Arches**: The nested arches reflect classic West Asian mosque style. Shoot from a low angle to capture its grandeur against the sky.
• **Moon-Viewing Platform**: From the rooftop platform, use the crenelated walls as a foreground or silhouette against sunset hues.
• **Fengtian Altar**: The ruins and Quran-inscribed stones here exude historical gravitas, ideal for moody shots.