Visited Beijing or Shanghai? You can visit Quanzhou, China, for less than S$400 in Aug. 2025

Are you looking for a destination with rich culture, good food, and ample photo opportunities for the gram without being squeezed by other tourists?

Look no further. Quanzhou, a port city located in China’s Fujian province, is the answer.

Plus, Xiamen Airlines can get you there for less than S$400 (but more on this later).

First time hearing about Quanzhou? We got you.

By visiting Quanzhou, you will join the ranks of Venetian explorer Marco Polo, who regarded the city as “defying imagination” with its bustling trade scene during the Maritime Silk Road.

With Singapore dollars being valued at a record high against Renminbi, take this chance to visit this part of China in the next few months while the exchange rate is to our advantage.

And no, you do not need a visa to visit Quanzhou, thanks to the mutual 30-day visa-exemption arrangement between Singapore and China.

Still not convinced? Here are more reasons to visit Quanzhou.

Journey through time with Quanzhou’s 22 world heritage sites

For history connoisseurs, Quanzhou houses 22 sites that are included in the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage List.

These sites range from archaeological remains, such as ancient bridges and porcelain kiln sites, to religious architecture built by Taoism, Buddhism, and Islamic faithfuls.

The reason behind this diversity is that Quanzhou was an important trade centre for centuries, connecting China with Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, the Arabian peninsula, and regions in Africa.

One of these world heritage sites is Kaiyuan Temple (开元寺), a Buddhist temple built in 686 AD during the Tang dynasty.

If you are a fan of “Black Myth: Wukong,” this temple may look familiar, as it inspired one of the scenes in the game.

Just like many other fans of the game, you can recreate the scene in front of the temple — great for social media.

Another noteworthy world heritage site is Qingjing Mosque (清净寺), also known as Masjid al-Ashab in Arabic.

No matter the time of day, the mosque exudes its own unique charm.

Built in 1009 AD during the Northern Song dynasty, it is the oldest surviving mosque in China.

Spanning 2,184 sqm, the mosque was built from stones and modelled after similar architectures in Damascus, Syria.

While you are around the mosque, you can complete the day with a city walk at Xijie (西街), the oldest street in Quanzhou that was built more than 1,300 years ago during the Tang dynasty.

Xijie is popular amongst locals and tourists, because it has something for everyone — you can enjoy traditional cuisine, shop for souvenirs and snacks, and take more photos against iconic backdrops such as this wall with a huge Chinese character of “Love”.

Craft your Minnan story

If you’re looking for a culturally immersive experience in Quanzhou, try out zanhuawei (簪花围), a traditional practice in southern Fujian, also known as Minnan, where you adorn your hair with flowers.

In particular, you should swing by Xiapu village (蟳埔村), where the tradition of zanhuawei is alive and bustling.

Over there, a skilful artist, usually an elderly woman, will style your hair into a bun before placing a hairpin inside.

She will then wrap several wreaths of flower buds, silk flowers, and fresh flowers around your head before fixing them with hairpins.

While women in Xiapu village traditionally adorn their hair with jasmine, camellia, and chrysanthemum, you can opt for other flowers and select your own colour scheme for your zanhuawei.

You can also make your own oil paper lantern (油纸灯笼) in Quanzhou.

In southern Fujian, such lanterns convey people’s wishes for a strong family lineage and prosperity that lasts for generations.

With their ability to light up their surroundings, even on rainy days, such lanterns also symbolise a bright future.

Many households will also add auspicious words and symbols, such as tigers and peonies, onto the lanterns.

The good news is you do not need to build the lantern from scratch (unless you really want to).

All you need to do is bring your creativity to the handicraft studios, and all the other materials, including a blank lantern, paint, and brushes, will be provided.

Be one with nature

If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of a city, Quanzhou has two notable natural sanctuaries to offer.

One of them is Qingyuan Mountain (清源山), a national park that comprises three mountainous ranges, including Qingyuan Mountain, Jiuri Mountain, and Ling Mountain.

With an altitude of 615m, the park will allow you to overlook Quanzhou’s skyline without overstraining yourself on your holiday.

While you rejuvenate in the natural scenery, you can also explore cultural artefacts scattered across the park, which include a stone statue of Taoism founder Laozi, nine stone Buddha statues from the Song and Yuan dynasties, and over 600 cliff carvings.

If you are tired, you can take a break by the lake in the park, named Tianhu (天湖), and enjoy a cup of coffee at the cafe there.

Luojia Temple

If you are not a fan of mountains, you can visit Luojia Temple (洛伽寺), a Buddhist temple built along the coastline of Quanzhou.

The temple appears as if it is floating above the sea when the tide rises, even though you can still walk across a small bridge to reach the temple from the mainland.

As the temple lies in close proximity to the Golden Coast (黄金海岸), you can also ride a bike along the coastline or simply sit by the sea after visiting the temple, freeing your mind from the worries of everyday life.

If you are not afraid of getting your feet wet, you can try out the swings located along the coastline — a great photo opportunity for the gram.

Symphony of flavours from sea to street

This article won’t be complete without mentioning the mouthwatering food at Quanzhou.

As someone who visited Quanzhou, the one that left the deepest impression on me was Mee Sua Soup (面线糊), which is typically paired with seafood and fried dough sticks.

With a slightly thicker soup texture, the dish will offer you a taste of the sea while filling your tummy with warmth.

Alternatively, if you are looking for a more savoury option, you might like Quanzhou’s Ginger Duck Stew (姜母鸭).

Braised in a slightly tingly sauce, the duck meat has a soft yet tight texture.

Last but not least, you cannot miss out on Quanzhou’s seafood.

Being a port city means that Quanzhou can offer you ample amount of fresh seafood without burning a hole in your wallet.

One restaurant worth mentioning is Qing You Yu (庆有余), which allows you to choose your seafood from a three-tier fish tank and serves dishes in generous portions.

Two signature dishes at the Michelin Guide-featured restaurant are chilled swimmer crab (招牌冻花乐) and mantis shrimp with shrimp paste filling (溏心富贵虾).

After your meals, you can order Four Fruit Soup (四果汤), a local dessert, to sweeten up your day and beat the heat.

In Quanzhou, the dessert used an agar-agar that is made from red algae, and you can add on other toppings, such as grass jelly, fruits, and lotus seeds.

Travel to Quanzhou with Xiamen Airlines

If you are planning a visit to Quanzhou, book your tickets with Xiamen Airlines soon to enjoy the most affordable fares.

For example, a trip at the end of August costs less than S$400 at the time of writing.

Besides operating four weekly flights to Quanzhou, Xiamen Airlines also offers flights to Xiamen, Fuzhou, and Hangzhou.

Visiting multiple Chinese cities in the same trip? You can also enjoy convenient flight timings with Xiamen Airlines, making it easier to plan flights from one city to another.

Find out more about Xiamen Airlines and its offerings here.

This branded article by Xiamen Airlines makes the writer eager to embark on another trip to Quanzhou.

Top images via 舰载豆浆机, 看星 & 海丝泉州文旅之声/Xiaohongshu