City: Fujian
Top Things to do in Fujian
- 1. Jiuqu Stream in Wuyishan Mountain
- 2. Kulangsu Huandao Road
- 3. Hakka Houses
- 4. Fujian Tianluo Tulou (Nanjing Wooden building)
- 5. Architectural buildings of Sanfang Qixiang and Zhuzi Workshop
- 6. Kaiyuan Monastery
- 7. Taimu Mountain Scenic Resort
- 8. Xiamen Riyuegu Hot Spring Resort Communities
- 9. Wuyi Mountain Scenic Resort
- 10. Yongding Earth Building
Top Hotels in Fujian
- 1. InterContinental Quanzhou
- 2. Shangri-La Fuzhou
- 3. Kempinski Hotel Fuzhou
- 4. Hotel Indigo Xiamen Harbour, an IHG hotel
- 5. Holiday Inn Express Xiamen Airport Zone, an IHG hotel
- 6. Marco Polo Xiamen
- 7. Pan Pacific Xiamen
- 8. Crowne Plaza Fuzhou Riverside, an IHG hotel
- 9. Pullman Fuzhou Tahoe
- 10. Xence Hotel Xiamen
Top 10 Things to do in Fujian, China
Fujian (Chinese: 福建; pinyin: Fújiàn; pronounced [fǔtɕjɛ̂n] ( listen)), formerly romanised as Foken, Fouken, Fukien, and Hokkien, is a province on the southeast coast of mainland China. Fujian is bordered by three provinces: Zhejiang to the north, Jiangxi to the west and Guangdong to the south, along with Taiwan 150 km to the east, across the Taiwan strait. The name Fujian came from the combination of Fuzhou and Jianzhou (a former name for Jian'ou) two cities in Fujian, during the Tang dynasty. While its population is chiefly of Han origin, it is one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse provinces in China.
Restaurants in Fujian
1. Jiuqu Stream in Wuyi Shan Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 335 reviews
Reviewed By LG_Kay - Singapore, Singapore
This is one of the highlights to see the natural landscape of the Wuyi Shan along the creek. I reserved the bamboo rafting timeslot at 9:30am when I purchased the combo entrance ticket the previous day. My hotel gave me a complimentary pair of plastic slip to protect my shoes from the waters. Each raft could take 6 persons. Being solo, I joined a family of 5 to make up the numbers. At the beginning, one boatman asked if we wanted to have commentary for 20 rmb per pax. As the family of 5 didn’t wish to pay, there was no explanation so we just enjoyed the slow ride along the stream. Look out for caves and names carved on the rock. As the raft has no covering, either wear a sun hat or apply sun tan lotion. The ride was about 1 hour 45 mins and ended near Wuyi Shan Palace stop.
Note there are limited rides per day. See one of my photos for the times. It is best to make a reservation to ensure a seat.
2. Kulangsu Huandao Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 274 reviews
Reviewed By nellielim - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
This coastal road starts from Xiamen University to Wuyuan Bay.With a great view of the sea and of Gulangyu Island, this is a popular stretch for biking, strolling, playing beach volleyball or just enjoying the sea breeze. There are bars and pavilions along this stretch.
3. Hakka Houses
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 134 reviews
Reviewed By SingaporeGirl - Singapore
Expect to see what's advertised--large round (and square) communal-living spaces surrounding shared courtyards, meeting places and clan temple. Some are in very bad condition; others are being 'gentrified' to take advantage of their new-found fame. Some of the historical showrooms are very sad displays of deteriorating textiles, worn kitchen equipment and faded posters.The area is in sore need of conservation specialists. Some offer overnight home stays but be forewarned of very primitive plumbing facilities. Best enjoyed if you can ignore the crowds and try to imagine it as what it once was--communal living to protect threatened populations.
4. Fujian Tianluo Tulou (Nanjing Wooden building)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 129 reviews
Reviewed By savvy8200 - Singapore, Singapore
Rather hard to reach without a driver guide but worth the visit to see these centuries old Unesco sites. Built round or square, these hakka houses are homes to hakka familes of the same family name. Extended families all live together in the past but due to the lack of privacy, many younger folks have moved to the cities to look for work and these houses are usually occupied by the senior family members and young children.
The drive was about 1.5 hours through winding mountainous roads from the Nanjing County train station. We started our journey from Xiamen North Station and it took 30mins by bullet train to Nanjing County. I strongly recommend getting a local guide but not those large group tours as they will take you to visit retail shops to buy souvenirs. The driver guide is a much better option and you can stop whenever and wherever you like.
5. Architectural buildings of Sanfang Qixiang and Zhuzi Workshop
Overall Ratings
4 based on 309 reviews
Reviewed By topfuel42 - Shrewsbury, United Kingdom
This is a wonderful snapshot of buildings and architecture in the old town. The streets are wide, uncluttered and full of friendly local people doing the same as you, just wandering.
Shops sell the usual trinkets with some excellent calligraphy etc, but beware some prices as they seem to vary depending on your perceived wealth!
The mist sprays from the top of the buildings really do keep the streets cooler, which is welcome.
Well worth your time to visit.
6. Kaiyuan Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 123 reviews
Reviewed By Instantcalmer - Ko Samui, Thailand
The two classic stone pagodas are under maintenance at the moment or I would have rated this excellent.
The grounds are extensive with many beautiful temples and other buildings, some quite good Gardens and excellent trees especially banyans and a 1,000 year old mulberry tree.
This is a functioning complex for training, classes and devotion. It is well supported by local worshipers and it shows unlike some other temples that are rather shabby in parts.
There was an excellent calm and spiritual atmosphere and I just stopped many times and soaked it in before going on to another section. Easy to spend a few serene hours here.
7. Taimu Mountain Scenic Resort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 91 reviews
Reviewed By Roux - Shanghai, China
A really beautiful place. Well worth the hassle of getting there. With the new high speed train it should be easier than the way I went. It wasn't until I got there that I found out the train also stops nearby. From the train station you get a small bus to the village of Qinyu and from there a shuttle to Taimushan. There are few small inns there of not great quality but perfectly acceptable as a bed for the night. There are places to get food, though you will probably have to pick out your dinner from the refrigerated area next door.
The mountain area is amazing. Walking up can be pretty hard going on hot day and you do have to avoid the hordes of day trippers from Fuzhou and Wenzhou. There is virtually no English spoken, but folks are very happy to help you out and try to communicate. Some of the signposting is a little confusing and you realise you have gone round in a circle when you didn't mean to, but listen for the megaphones of the tour groups and you find your way back! You can cover most of the walks in a couple of days, but there is plenty of more distant walks if you wish to spend longer.
8. Xiamen Riyuegu Hot Spring Resort Communities
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 174 reviews
Reviewed By toby M - Shanghai, China
First of all lets clear one thing up: This place is not called the Riyuegu Aquatic Park. I don't know how Trip Advisor could get this wrong. It's the Riyuegu Hot Springs Resort. You can go to riyuegu.com to see for yourself. Simply scroll to the bottom of the page.
This review is for someone who is already familiar with the pitfalls of Chinese culture. If you aren't used to rowdy kids who yell all the time, men smoking every chance they get, and men and women constantly spitting, I would say you might not enjoy this spa as much as I did -- because all of the above happen all the time pretty much everywhere in China, and a hot Springs resort here or anywhere is no different.
Ok the resort itself is fairly expensive unless you are ok with attending the resort when its 40 degrees outside in the heat of the summer. That time of year they are begging people to attend. But this time of year, its much different.
Likes: The spa itself is very creative in both its design and ergonomic flow compared to many of the hot Springs I have been too (mostly in the US where I am from). 25 or so recipes make up the various pools. Everything from coffee to beer is presented here. There are free tea stations everywhere and it's bottomless. Not once was a tea station out of tea. And your choices included black, green, ginger and just hot water. Two huge pools are also present (but are mostly empty this time of year); so if you like to swim now is a perfect time to attend. Unlike most Chinese spas, this one is entirely co-ed. So bring your own swimsuit. The lockers are well appointed with electronic locks on a wristband they give you. (This wrist band also acts as your tally. You can order food with it, do a spa package -- an just settle up at the end of the day. Towels are plush and comfortable and renting a robe is only 10rmb. There are also free hot stone beds and even a sand therapy station for a 15rmb fee (both can be used for an unlimited amount of time).
Dislikes: 1) The sauna is way too cold to be a sauna.The Chinese don't get behind saunas like what most Eastern Europeans do -- so if you're looking for a great sauna or steam room -- this isn't your place. 2) Very few cold water pools or shower nozzles. If you are someone who enjoys the 'therapy' of hot Springs then you will likely be like me in that you enjoy a nice cool down everytime your body temperature raises beyond comfortable levels beyond a period of time. Well as far as I could tell there were only 2 places one could get cold water. One is a cold water pool near the tea pools, and the other was a chill room near the saunas. A top notch hot Springs will have shower nozzles everywhere to let interested people cool down rapidly. 3) With as many pools as they have it sure would be nice if they would designate certain areas to be off limits to children. Perhaps the ones that promote alcohol for starters. 4) Smoking is huuuuge problem when you can smoke just about anywhere in a place where you go to relax and take in a relaxed and non-polluted atmosphere. 5) Restaurant is deplorable for it being a part of a 5 star hotel -- and also expensive. Bring lots of food with and hope it will be enough.
Xiamen as a whole is a developing city with not a ton to do. The Hot Springs is an absolute must for any traveler to this area.
9. Wuyi Mountain Scenic Resort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 431 reviews
An area of fantastic views has peaks, rivers, gorges and temple ruins.
Reviewed By Instantcalmer - Ko Samui, Thailand
OK Wuyi Shan is not spectacular Mountains like Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in Anhui but the smaller Mountains have super formations, Waterfalls and caves. I addition, there is a Chinese cultural mixture with centuries old tea cultivation and sites of neo-Confucuian scholarship.
When I went for 3 days, 2 nights in June is was not so busy and there were not hundreds of noisy tour groups like Huangshan or Guilin.So its much more relaxing with your choice of leisurely level or well graded walks or mountain ascending 600+ steps. In fact shuttle buses will run you around between the main scenic spots or you can do longer walks between them if you like to hike.
Do take the bamboo raft trip down the 9 bend stream for a different view of the Mountains.
If you are here for a few days go to the South entrance (bus 6) and buy a combination ticket. Mine was a weekly that included rafting and unlimited shuttle bus rides and all scenic spot entries for 269rmb.
A few downers: Chinese can be very noisy and notorious litterers. It was sad to see the amount of plastic rubbish caught in the bushes along the river.
But well worth 2 or 3 days.
10. Yongding Earth Building
Overall Ratings
4 based on 138 reviews
Reviewed By Elizabeth S
The Tulou communities of Yongding's Hakka people are a must see sight. I've been living in China for two years and have visited many places here and I think the tulou of Fujian are really special. Everyone knows when they come that they will see impressive and interesting architecture but nobody mentions the stunning scenery and the incredible warmth of the Hakka people. The fact that many of these are very much still living breathing communities is fascinating. I especially recommend Chuxi and Hong Keng clusters. Try to visit Hong Keng cluster early to beat the crowds. And be sure to sit a while and chat to some locals over delicious locally grown tea! Though saying that there is very little English spoken around these parts so be ready to practice your Chinese! One more thing to note: public transportation between the tulou is pretty well non-existent so keep in mind you'll have to pay for taxis and/or motorbikes on top of entrance tickets. By China standards all in all mine was a fairly expensive trip (but totally worth it!); if you are not travelling alone it would be less pricy to get around.
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