Written by Veronica |
West Street in Quanzhou, China is a historical street with traditional architecture and modern amenities. It was built in the Tang Dynasty during the Kaiyuan reign. It witnessed Quanzhou prosper as once the biggest port city in China.
Today, itās a commercial street with many pedestrian alleys, full of colorful shops and food stalls. Its architecture still preserves original designs. YouāllĀ notice a fusion of Chinese and Western influences. When you travel to Quanzhou, experience itsĀ history and local lifestyleĀ on West Street.
Quanzhou West StreetĀ Facts
- Location: Licheng District of Quanzhou, China
- Opening hours: all day (shops and attractions on the street have varying hours).
- Tickets: free
- Time needed: at least 2 or 3 hours
- Best time of the year: all year round
- Suited to: families, couples, solo travelers, and anyone interested in history, culture, and shopping
What to See and Do on Quanzhou West Street
There are plenty of things to do on Quanzhou West Street. Here are some of the highlights.
1. UniqueĀ Architecture
Take a walk down the street, and admire the interesting blend of Chinese and Western styles of architecture. The buildings have a long history and are still well-preserved. The famous landmark is a clock tower. Its unique shape might have looked strange if it had been placed anywhere else. But it’s loved by locals and visitors here because it adds character to Quanzhou West Street.
2. Quanzhou Museum of Overseas ChineseĀ History
Itās a museum that showcases the history and culture of overseas Chinese from Quanzhou. There are over 6000 pieces in its exhibitions mostly donated by overseas Chinese people. The museum is dedicated to celebrating and commemorating the contribution of overseas Chinese people to global and Chinese culture.
3. Shopping for Local Specialties
Quanzhou West Street is famous for special handicrafts, silk products, tea, and traditional Chinese medicine. You might even find some specialties youāve never heard of before.
4. Local Cuisine
Try the local cuisines such as spicy noodles, steamed buns, and seafood, at one of the restaurants and food stalls on the street. At many stalls, you can watch as the owner makes your order. Their skills are very impressive.
If youāre looking for groceries, youāll find whatever you need at the West Street Vegetable Market. Itās a great place for breakfast and local snacks as well.
Best Time to Visit Quanzhou West Street
The best time to visit Quanzhou is from October to May as the city is in the dry season. The rainy season lasts from March to September. Summers can have high temperatures and be very humid in Quanzhou. It is also tourist season when there will be crowds at the attractions.
Attractions Nearby Quanzhou West Street
Quanzhou is a popular tourism city because of its rich historical and cultural heritage. Here are some attractions near West Street for your Quanzhou tour.
- Kaiyuan Temple is a famous Buddhist temple dating back to Tang Dynasty. It is the largest temple in Fujian. Itās known for having magnificent size, architecture, and history.
- Qingjing Mosque literally means the pure and clean mosque in Chinese. It is the oldest existing Islamic Mosque with an Arabic architectural style in the region.
- Qingyuan MountainĀ is about 1.9 miles (3 kilometers) from Quanzhou. Itās famous for the Taoism sculpture Laojun Rock and many hiking trails.
Getting to Quanzhou West Street
Quanzhou West Street is about a 30-minute drive from Quanzhou Railway Station and 40 minutes from Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport.
