Top Things to Do in Fujian

Fujian is a southeastern Chinese province with distinctive cultural and natural landscapes. There are ancient villages and temples, amazing mountainous scenic spots, as well as golden sand beaches.

To help you plan your trip, we’ve put together the top 10 things to do in Fujian, along with a suggested itinerary and practical travel tips for a smooth journey.

1. Discover Hakka Culture in Fujian Tulou and Taxia Village

Fujian Tulou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a collection of earthen castles that date back to the 12th century. They were originally the traditional dwellings of the Hakka and Minnan communities. The largest Tulou can accommodate up to 800 people. The circular and rectangular structures were built to defend against bandits and wild animals.

Today, they serve as homes for the locals and attractions for visitors. Yongding and Nanjing tulou clusters showcase the grandeur of these circular castles and are the top destinations.

To discover a more authentic side of Hakka life, pay a visit to Taxia Village near the  Nanjing tulou clusters. It is a picturesque village where an S-shaped river winds past stone bridges, and earthen buildings and traditional stilted buildings stand on both banks.

Tip: The tulou complexes are far from Xiamen and are scattered in different regions, so it is recommended to hire a private driver or book a tour to save time and energy.

2. Relax and Unwind on Gulangyu Island

• Location: Siming District, Xiamen City
• Opening hours: 24 hours, scenic spots on the island: about 08:00 – 18:00
• Ticket: entrance ticket is free, but all tourists need to take a ferry to board the island, which costs about CNY 35 – 80/USD 5 – 11. The ticket package covering 7 attractions on the island costs CNY 130/USD 18

If you’re wondering about what to do in Fujian, why not spend a day or two on Gulangyu Island? It’s a car-free island off the coast of Xiamen, a great place for a retreat away from the hustle of everyday city life.

Huandao Road on Gulangyu Island is a famous coastal road perfect for walking, jogging, or biking. You’ll see narrow cobblestone streets and colonial-style architecture on the side. The island beach is great for swimming and sunbathing. The highest point on the Island, Sunlight Rock, has an amazing panoramic view.

If you’re looking for some cultural landscape on the island, visit the Organ Museum or Gulangyu Piano Museum. Add some music to your Fujian tour. It’s always a good idea to sample the island’s famous seafood and local delicacies.

Tip: Book your ferry ticket at least 3 days in advance via the official “Yujian Xiamen (屿见厦门)” mini-program; same-day tickets often sell out.

3. Embark on a Spiritual Journey at Wuyi Mountain

• Location: Wuyishan City, Nanping City
• Opening hours: March to October: 06:30- 18:00; November – February: 07:00 – 17:30; Nine Bends Stream bamboo rafting: 07:00 – 14:30
• Ticket: entrance ticket: free; sightseeing bus: CNY 70 – 95/USD 10–13; Nine Bends Stream bamboo rafting: CNY 130/USD 18

Wuyi Mountain is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern Fujian. It’s not just popular among nature lovers, but those seeking spiritual enlightenment as well. There are numerous Taoist and Buddhist temples attracting pilgrims from all over the world.

The scenic resort has a mix of peaks, gorges, and rivers. There are a number of trails for you to hike up the mountains. You might also want to board a bamboo raft on the Nine Bends Stream to immerse yourself in the views. Visiting Wuyi Mountain is one of the best things to do in Fujian.

Wuyi Mountain also has some of the finest tea plantations. It is famous for Da Hong Pao tea, one of the most expensive teas in the world. You will have the chance to visit local tea houses and experience the ancient tea-making process hands-on.

4. Explore Xiamen Mainland: The Urban Side

Apart from Gulangyu Island, the downtown area (Xiamen Mainland) also features its beautiful beaches, rich history, and unique culture. Here are some popular destinations for your Xiamen tour.

South Putuo Temple has a history of over 1000 years. It is a famous Buddhist temple in China because of its history, size, architecture, and spirituality. It sits at the foot of Wulaofeng (Five Old Men Mountain), next to Xiamen University, has an amazing view of the area. Experience the Buddhist culture, try the vegetarian food, and if you want, hike the Wulaofeng.

Xiamen Botanical Garden is also known as Wanshi Botanical Garden because it sits amidst Wanshi Mountain. Xiamen Botanical Garden covers 1.9 square miles (4.93 square kilometers) of land, has an extensive collection of plant species, including bamboos, orchids, cacti, palms, and bonsai. You might also catch glimpses of peacocks, monkeys, or squirrels.

5. Indulge in the Strong Cultural Atmosphere in Jimei School Village in Xiamen

• Location: Jimei District, Xiamen City
• Opening hours: 24 hours for the village itself; scenic spots inside the school village: basically 08:00 – 17:30
• Ticket: entrance ticket: free; scenic spots inside the school village: CNY 10 – 20/USD 1–3

Jimei School Village is the only landmark in China officially named a “school village”. It integrates schools, residences, shrines and mausoleums and was founded in 1913 by Tan Kah-kee (Chen Jiageng). The most striking symbol is the Jiageng Architecture featuring the red brick walls of southern Fujian and the Western pediment eaves. It is vividly described by the locals as “a building wearing a suit and a conical hat”.

Another impressive experience is the sea tram (sea-crossing metro). When taking metro line 1 to get there, you will also pass a dramatic sea bridge from Jimei School Village to Gaoqi, offering a reminiscent of scenes from Spirited Away. It has been a must-shoot for any visitor.

6. Discover the Maritime Culture and History in Quanzhou

Quanzhou, once a prominent port city along the Maritime Silk Road, has many architectural and cultural wonders. Walking down Zhongshan Street or West Street, you’ll notice a fusion of Chinese and Western influences in the architectural designs of the city. There are restaurants and food stalls with delicious local cuisine as well.

Quanzhou was historically known as “The Buddhist Country.” The city is home to many famous temples. Kaiyuan Temple, in particular, is the largest Buddhist temple in Fujian. It houses the largest stone carvings of Buddhist scriptures in China.

In recent years, the Xunpu Zanhua headdress has gone viral on social media and has become a top thing to do in Fujian. The local grandmas will deftly pin fresh flowers, gold foil and hairpins into your bun, crowning you with the floral glory. Do not miss the chance to capture some enchanting photos.

7. Trace History at Sanfang Qixiang in Fuzhou

• Location: 139, Nanhou Street, Gulou District, Fuzhou City
• Opening hours: The streets: 24 hours; charged scenic spots: 08:30 – 17:00, closed on Mondays
• Ticket: entrance ticket: free; ticket package of 6charged scenic spots: CNY 70/USD 10, valid for 2 days

Listed among the “Top 10 Famous Historical and Cultural Streets in China,” Sanfang Qixiang is a remarkable district in Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian Province. It literally means three Lanes and seven alleys in Chinese. The district still preserves over 200 buildings from Ming and Qing dynasties.

A famous saying goes, “Sanfang Qixiang contains half of China’s modern history,” because it is considered the birthplace of Fuzhou’s culture. It has been home to many esteemed scholars, officials, poets, and artists, is sometimes referred to as “The Beverly Hills of Imperial China.”

On the three lanes (Yijin, Wenru, and Guanglu) and seven alleys (Yangqiao, Langguan, Ta, Huang, Anmin, Gong, and Jibi), you’ll see historic residences, temples, gardens, bridges, and pavilions. Step back into China’s modern history and learn about the fascinating stories of former residents.

Read more about Fuzhou’s top activities

8. Experience Mazu Culture in Meizhou Island

• Location: Meizhou Town, Xiuyu District, Putian City
• Opening hours: 07:00 – 22:00; Mazu Temple: April 16 – October 15: 06:00 – 17:30; October 16- April 15 of the following year: 05:30 – 17:00
• Ticket: CNY 125/USD 17 (including entrance ticket + ferry ticket)

Meizhou Island is home to the world’s first Mazu temple and is the ancestral home of tens of thousands of Mazu temples around the world. The Mazu Temple complex is built along the mountain in layers, allowing you to feel its serenity during the visit.

If you are not interested in the culture, the island also treats you with its leisurely lifestyle. Just hike along the plank road over the sea, unwind on Golden Beach, cycle along the Rainbow Road and feel the gentle sea breeze, and explore the sea erosion landform in Feiji Cave. Slow down your pace and enjoy the landscapes.

Tip: During the visit to the temples, avoid wearing shorts and sandals, and do not step on the thresholds.

9. Savor Characteristic Fujian Food

Fujian Cuisine, aka Min Cuisine, is one of China’s Eight Cuisines, so tasting the local specialties is one of the top things to do in Fujian. What will surprise you is that the coastal, central and inland regions feature different flavors. During the travel, you can enjoy a variety of meals.

	Coastal Fujian	Central Fujian	Inland Fujian
Cities	Quanzhou, Xiamen	Fuzhou, Ningde	Longyan, Nanping, Nanjing
Features	Seafood and garlic are the main ingredients.	More kinds of soup, superb knife skills	Hakka cuisine, rustic, slow-cooked, bold in flavor
Representative Dishes	shacha noodle, oyster omelet, sand worm jelly, wheat vermicelli gruel, ginger duck	Buddha Jumps Over the Wall,  fish ball, wonton with pounded-fish skin wrapper, lychee pork	Hakka stuffed tofu, steamed rice roll with filling, taro dumpling, Yongding beef ball

10. Marvel at Xiapu Mudflat’s Golden Coast

You’ll see one of China’s most striking coastal scenes at Xiapu Mudflat. For thousands of years, the unceasing tides have created ever-changing designs across golden sands. At sunrise or sunset, the shoreline glows with warm hues, framed by bamboo poles used for seaweed farming and weathered fishing boats.

If you want more breathtaking pictures, join the photographers to flock to spots like Beidou Village to capture reflections on tidal pools or silhouettes of fishermen at work. Try clam digging with locals, or taste just-caught seafood like sweet razor clams and hairy crabs at nearby stalls. For unique views, visit Yangjiaxi during low tide to see how patterns etched by waves—a mix of natural beauty and daily coastal life.

Practical Travel Tips for a Fujian Tour

• Best time to visit: October and November are the best months to explore most attractions in Fujian, as the typhoon season has passed and the weather features clear skies and crisp air. Just avoid National Day holiday (October 1 – 7).
• Visa: The whole Fujian Province is included in the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, so a visa is not needed for travelers from 55 eligible countries.
• Getting around: An extensive high-speed rail network connects the tourist cities in Fujian. But you’ll often need a taxi or Didi for the final leg of the journey. Use Didi (Chinese Uber) to avoid being overcharged. If you plan to visit the Tulou complex, Wuyi Mountain and Meizhou Island, chartered cars and guided tours are the most recommended options.
• Ferry ticket booking: For a tour to Gulangyu Island and Meizhou Island, tourists need to book the ferry ticket 3 days in advance via the mini-programs of “屿见厦门” and “湄洲岛轮渡”. Services will be suspended on typhoon days. Please check the weather before departure.
• Translation apps: Fujian has a wide variety of dialects across different regions, so translation apps can be very useful.
• What to pack: Considering strong ultraviolet rays along the coast and plentiful mosquitoes due to lush forests, high-SPF sunscreen, sun hats, and mosquito repellent are all essential.

How to Plan a Fujian Tour

To experience the charm of Fujian to the fullest, a classic tour needs about 1 week. For tourists with only about 5 days, focus on the essence, such as Xiamen, Gulangyu Island, Tulou and Quanzhou. Here is an 8-day highlight tour itinerary.

Day 1: Fuzhou Arrival

Day 2: Fuzhou West Lake – Lin Zexu Memorial Hall – Sanfang Qixiang – drive to Quanzhou – Luoyang Bridge

Day 3: Xunpu Village – Kaiyuan Temple – West Street – Wudian City – drive to Yongding

Day 4: Yongding Tulou Complex – drive to Xiamen

Day 5: Eighth Seafood Market – Gulangyu Island

Day 6: Take a high-speed train to Mount Wuyi – Dahongpao Scenic Area

Day 7: Full day in Mountain Wuyi: Nine-Bend Stream – Wuyi Palace and Sanqing Temple – Tianyou Peak

Day 8: Take a high-speed train to Fuzhou – departure

Enjoy Your Carefree Tour with China Xian Tour

The popular attractions in Fujian are scattered across different cities, making itinerary planning a challenge for most travelers. For a worry-free trip, China Xian Tour is willing to help you. Our travel experts will customize a trip based on your requirements and interests. Besides, we will handle all the logistics for you, from ticket reservation, hotel booking to local transfers. The only thing you need to do is enjoy the journey. Just contact us now.