8 Best Places to Visit in Fujian: Where to Go in Fujian, China

If you are wondering where to go in Fujian or simply which the best tourist destinations in Fujian are, then this is the article for you! We have listed all the 8 Best Places to Visit in Fujian to help you plan your trip of a lifetime to this amazing province in China, from Xiamen for the ideal island trip, Nanjing and Yongding region for sacred UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Fujian Tulou, Wuyishan City for splendid Wuyi Mountain, Xiapu County for the world-class photography base Xiapu Mudflat, to other featured natural and cultural places, such as Fuzhou, Quanzhou, Taining and Putian! Let's check them out now!

1

Xiamen - Ideal Island Trip Location

Panoramiv View from Sunlihgt Rock

Panoramiv View from Sunlihgt Rock on Gulangyu Island

South Putuo Temple

South Putuo Temple

You cannot come to Fujian without the visit of incredible islands and beaches in Xiamen. Xiamen is a popular and beautiful city with amazing coastal view offered. Set in the northwestern part of Xiamen city is Gulangyu Island, a world-famed and usually a must-visit tourist island with reputations of "Garden on the Sea" and "Exhibition of the World's Architecture". In addition to the natural beauty and historic architectures, Gulangyu Island is also famed for its rich factors of music. There are many interesting museums of musical instruments, such as Piano Museum and Organ Museum. It is really an unforgettable experience of wandering the exotic alleys, exquisite gardens, or golden beaches in Gulangyu Island with sweet sounds of music lingering.

The city center of Xiamen is also settled on an island, whose southwest edge is only 7~20 minutes away from Gulangyu Island by ferry. And only several kilometers away from the boarder are many other popular highlights of Xiamen, including South Putuo Temple, Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street, Huandao Road, Hulishan Fortress, etc.

  • Highlights: Gulangyu Island, South Putuo Temple, Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street, Huandao Road, etc.
  • Recommended Trip Length: 1~3 days
2

Nanjing & Yongding - For Marvelous Fujian Tulou, the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage

Nanjing Tulou

Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster of Nanjing Tulou

Zhencheng Building of Yongding Tulou

Zhencheng Building of Yongding Tulou

If you have watched the Disney movie Mulan, you must have impressed a lot by Mulan's home, those mysterious castle-like dwellings in incredible gigantic size and unique circle, square and rectangle shape. We should say that the building and place shown in the film is not exactly the home and hometown of the real Mulan in Chinese history. However, those huge buildings are real. And they are called Tulou or earthen building, a special kind of house for Hakka People in Fujian. In the remote mountainous areas of Fujian, there are over hundreds and thousands of such big houses. And in 2008, Fujian Tulou, including as many as 46 earthen buildings of them, was listed as a cluster of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

Getting close to those super-big buildings in strange shapes is attractive enough, let alone there are legendary stories and history of Hakka people. Therefore, an unbelievable increasing flock of visitors add such an amazing Fujian Tulou Tour into their Fujian Trip. The best and most popular places to visit Tulou are Nanjing County and Yongding County. And the main tourist areas are commonly known as Nanjing Tulou and Yongding Tulou, which can be further divided into several scenic parts. Nanjig Tulou can be further divided into Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster, Yunshuiyao Scenic Area, Taxia Village, Hekeng Tulou Cluster, Yuchang Building, etc. Yongding Tulou can be further divided into Hongkeng Tulou Cluster, Gaobei Tulou Cluster, Chuxi Tulou Cluster and Nanxi Tulou Cluster. Tianluokeng in Nanjing Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou Cluster, Gaobei Tulou Cluster and Chuxi Tulou Cluster in Yongding Tulou are the most popular.

  • Highlights: Yongding Tulou (including Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster, Yusnhuiyao Scenic Area, Hekeng Tulou Cluster, Taxia Village, Yuchang Building, etc.), Nanjing Tulou (including Hongkeng Tulou Cluster, Gaobei Tulou Cluster, Chuxi Tulou Cluster, Nanxi Tulou Cluster, etc.)
  • Recommended Trip Length: 1~3 days

Hot Fujian Tulou Tours:

3

Wuyishan - For Splendid Wuyi Mountain, the Sacred UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage

Bamboo Rafting on the Nine Bend Stream

Bamboo Rafting on the Nine Bend Stream

Excellent Show of Impression Da Hong Pao

Excellent Show of Impression Da Hong Pao

Amongst the so many splendid mountains in China, there are about four are entitled with both World Cultural Heritage and World Natural Heritage, including one in Fujian, namely Wuyi Mountain or Wuyishan.

Wuyi Mountain is located in Wuyishan City, Nanping City, Fujian Province. It is featured with picturesque Karst Landscape and sacred religious culture of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. The natural landscape in Wuyi Mountain is not inferior to Guilin and Yangshuo, where are claimed to boast the Best Scenery in the World. And the best way for visitors to feast their eyes with the natural beauty of Wuyi Mountain is by a ferry winding through Nine Bends Stream there. Hiking up to Tianyou Peak for a panoramic view of the surrounding is also popular. Don't miss the chance to stroll Dahongpao Scenic Area (Big Red Robe Scenic Area) - the central scenic area where tea plantations with world-class Da Hong Pao Tea grows at is located. Other highlights of Wuyi Mountain include Tiger Roaring Rock, Wuyi Palace, Dahongpao Scenic Area and a large real-landscape show named Impression Da Hong Pao, which is performed right in front of Wuyi Mountain, with amazing real landscape of the mountain as backdrop.

  • Highlights: Nine Bends Stream, Wuyi Palace, Tianyou Peak (Heavenly Peak), Tiger Roaring Rock, Dahongpao Tea Plantation, Impression Da Hong Pao, etc.
  • Recommended Trip Length: 2~3 days

Hot Wuyi Mountain Tours:

4

Xiapu - For China's Most Beautiful Coastline in Xiapu Mudflat

Xiapu Mudflat

Xiapu Mudflat

Xiapu Mudflat

Xiapu Mudflat

As a famous saying goes, "The charming and poetic Xiapu Mudflat is such a beautiful place that every photographer should make a pilgrimage,", which just highlights its significant statue in the heart of shutterbugs. This breathtaking place is "One of the Top 10 Photography Bases in China". It explains somewhat China's most Beautiful Coastal Line. Here, you can get perfect shots with a mix of golden beach, rows of bamboo poles inset by the locals to dry their kelps, shadows of surrounding mountains, working fisherman with their lovely tiny boat and so on. It is impossible to explain its beauty in a single picture, because Xiapu Mudflat is not that kind of lifeless scenery. The scenery changes with the ebb and flow of the tide, the move of sun and cloud, and even the farming actions of the fisherman. However, never worry so much about these changes, every single moment there won't be boring, and you will find it difficult to leave back home.

Apart from Xiapu Mudflat, Ningde City of Fujian also has a world-class Geopark named Ningde Global Geopark, which was included in the UNESCO World Geological Park Network List in 2010.

  • Highlights: Xiapu Mudflat, Ningde Global Geopark (Baishuiyang, Baiyun Montain and Taimu Mountain)
  • Recommended Trip Length: 1~3 days

Hot Xiapu Photography Tours:

5

Fuzhou - The Bustling Capital with a Perfect Mixed Flavor of Ancient & Modern

Sanfang Qixiang

Sanfang Qixiang

Yongquan Temple

Yongquan Temple

Located on the east coast, Fuzhou serves as the capital of Fujian Province. Together with Xiamen, Fuzhou is usually the first place of this region you visit as most convenient international and domestic connections start or end here. This city has an eclectic mix of modern skyscrapers combined with historical blocks and ancient temples. If you love China's modern history, you should rank Sanfang Qixiang, Ancestral Hall and Museum of Lin Zexu and Mawei Por at the top your travel list. Sanfang Qixiang, or called Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, is the busiest and best-preserved historical block in Fuzhou downtown. Ancestral Hall and Museum of Lin Zexu is a memorial hall of Lize Xu, a national hero in China who famously suppressed the importation of opium and sparked the First Opium War. Mawei Port is where China's modern navy and ship administration culture begin. Ancient Temples in Fuzhou are also a lot, and the Yongquan Temple settled amidst the forest of Drum Mountain Scenic Area (Gushan) is usually a must visit.

Aside from awesome history and culture, Fuzhou also has a multitude of wonderful costal resorts such as Pingtan Island that offers pristine beaches and broad sea views.

  • Highlights: Sanfang Qixiang (Three Lanes and Seven Alleys), Yongquan Temple, Drum Mountain Scenic Area, Ancestral Hall and Museum of Lin Zexu, West Lake Park, Hualin Temple, Jinshan Temple, Pingtan Island, etc.
  • Recommended Trip Length: 1~3 days
6

Quanzhou - The "Buddhist Country" & Buddhist Museum

Carvings of Kaiyuan Temple

Carvings of Kaiyuan Temple

Qingyuan Mountain

Qingyuan Mountain

Quanzhou City north of Xiamen is famous for its rich variety of religious. With a long history of over a thousand years of communications with overseas countries, Quanzhou embraces different religious culture of all over the world in an inclusive manner. Here, you can have a glimpse of almost all the religions in the world, from Buddhist to Islam, Taoism to Christianity, and so on. You can even get all those different religious temples on one single street there. Therefore, Quanzhou is also praised as "The Buddhist Country" and "The Buddhist Museum".

Kaiyuan Temple (or called Kaiyuan Monastery), the largest and most noble temple in the whole Fujian Province, is just located on West Street in Fuzhou. Other famous temples of Fuzhou include Chengtain Temple (承天寺), Guandi Temple (关帝庙), etc. In the northern suburbs of Quanzhou is the wonderful Qingyuan Mountain, where you could not only enjoy leisure hiking but also many religious stone statues of great importance.

  • Highlights: Kaiyuan Temple, Qingyuan Mountain, Chengtian Temple, Qingjing Temple, Luoyang Bridge, Tianhou Temple, etc.
  • Recommended Trip Length: 1~2 days

Hot Quanzhou Tours:

7

Putian - For Meizhou Island, the Beachy Paradise & Birthplace of Chinese Goodness of the Sea

Meizhou Island

Meizhou Island

Meizhou Island

Meizhou Island

Described as "Macca of the East" by visitors from home and abroad, Meizhou Island has so much variety to offer, from as many as 13 golden beaches to little stone forest, mysterious erosion rocks as well as sacred Mazu Temple Complex. Mazu is Chinese Goodness of the Sea worshiped by the spiritual people spreading the coastal provinces and cities in China and all over the globe where large groups of overseas Chinese settle. In 2009, the Mazu Belief and Custom was included in the List of UNESCO Representatives of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It is said Meizhou Island is the birthplace of Mazu. And the Mazu Temple there is the most holy place to worship Mazu. On the highest point of the majestic temple cluster is a huge Marble Statue of Mazu. Every year, especially during the birthday of Mazu (usually happens in late April or early May) and Ascension Day of Mazu (usually happens in late October or early November), worldwide worshipers will gather in front of the Mazu Statue and show their respects.

  • Highlights: Meizhou Island
  • Recommended Trip Length: 1 day or so
8

Taining - Amazing Danxia Landform is Calling

Big Golden Lake Scenic Area

Big Golden Lake Scenic Area

Shangqing Stream

Shangqing Stream

Seldom visitors know Taining until Taining Danxia Landform, along with Lang Mountain in Hunan, Danxia Mountain in Guangdong, Dragon and Tiger Mountain in Jiangxi, Jianglang Mountain in Zhejiang and Chishui in Guizhou, was inscribed as a member of UNESCO World Natural Heritages as China Danxia in 2010. Danxia Landform is such a breathtaking red-bedded landscaped characterized by steep cliffs. In southern China, there are many Danxia Landform distributed in the mountainous regions, while Taining Danxia is said to the place Where China's Danxia Stories Begin.

For tourists, the best place to admire the magnificent Taining Danxia Landform is Taining Scenic Area with beautiful Water Danxia Landscape and mysterious cave wonders and canyon groups. The whole Taining Scenic Area is relatively large, which is composed of as many as nice scenic areas. And the most popular and beautiful parts are Big Golden Lake Scenic Area and Shangqng Stream.

  • Highlights: Big Golden Lake Scenic Area, Ganlu Temple, Shangqing Stream, Taining Old Town, etc.
  • Recommended Trip Length: 1~2 days

How to Plan a Fujian Tour

1-2 days in Xiamen

Xiamen is usually planned as the start of a Fujian tour where to enjoy pleasant and leisure time with the coastal landscape. Gulangyu Island, Nanputuo Temple, Huandao Road, etc. are the top highlights..

☛ 2 Days Xiamen Essence Tour with Nanjing Tulou

☛ 3 Days Classic Xiamen and Fujian Tulou Tour

1-2 days Fujian Tulou

Many visitors enjoy a 1 day classic Fujian Tulou trip from Xiamen to visit Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster and other earthen buildings in Nanjing. Hongkeng Tulou Cluster and Chuxi Tulou Cluster in Yongding are great to add for a 2-day Tulou trip. Tulou in Hongkeng, Gaobei and Nanxi are also favored for an in-depth tour.

☛ 2 Days Classic Yongding Tulou & Nanjing Tulou Tour from Xiamen

2-3 days in Wuyishan

Most people spend 2 days at Wuyishan to visit Jiuqu Stream rafting, Tianyou Peak, Dahongpao Scenic Area, Wuyi Palace, impression Da Hong Pao, etc. Water Curtain Cave, Xiamei Village, etc. are great to add in another day.

☛ 3 Days Classic Wuyi Mountain Tour

2-3 days in Xiapu

If you are interested in photography, plan at least 2 days to Xiapu to shoot the marvelous mudflat at Xiaohao, Beiqi, Dongbi, Shajiang and Yantian. Extend to more beautiful places like Huazhu, Yangjiaxi, Bachimen, etc. based on your likes, which usually takes 3-5 days covering the arrival and departure.

☛ 4 Days Fujian Xiapu Mudflat Photography Tour

You are also recommended to discover more beautiful destinations in Fujian like Fuzhou, Quanzhou, etc., which needs 1-2 days for each one.

Besides, lots of traveler to Fujian also prefer to plan it with other hot destinations in China, such as Huangshan with the fantastic Yellow Mountain, Guilin with wonderful Karst landscape, Yunnan with amazing scenery and ethnic minority culture, Zhangjiajie with incredible Avatar Mountains, Hangzhou with heavenly West Lake, Shanghai with contrast past and modern China looks, Hong Kong with fabulous skyline, Guangzhou with delicious Cantonese food, etc. China Discovery is always prepared to offer you the best Fujian tours and customized service for a satisfied itinerary based on your requirement.

☛ 6 Days Xiamen Nanjing Tulou & Yellow Mountain Amusing Tour

☛ 12 Days China Xiapu Mudflats Xiamen Tulou Coastal Tour by Bullet Train

Travel Fujian with China Discovery

Have your own ideas of where to go and what to do in Fujian? Customize your personal Fujian tour right now! The tour can be tailor-made according to your group size, time, physical condition, plan, interests, budget and any other special need!

If you travel with us, our experienced local driver and guide will tack care of everything for you. Our professional driver will await you at the entrance gate and then escort you to your next destination directly in ease and convenience. Besides, our English-speaking guide will accompany you all the way and give you warm insider tips of avoiding offending local custom taboos. If you are interested, please feel free to let us know!