Putian Jiulong Valley Glass Drift Carnival, Summer Cooling Hotspot!

Itinerary Planning Classic Three-Day Tour Route Day 1: Meizhou Island Pilgrimage and Island Scenery · Morning: Take the ferry from Wenjia Pier to Meizhou Island (ticket 125 RMB/person, round trip included), visit the Mazu Ancestral Temple complex (65 RMB combo ticket). From the Pilgrimage Square to the Prince Hall, then to the Ascension Relics, don’t forget to touch the Mazu Jade Ruyi for blessings. Climb to the top of the ancestral temple hill to admire the 14-meter-high Mazu statue and overlook the magnificent Taiwan Strait views. · Afternoon: Taste local specialties on the island, recommended dishes include Mazu Peace Noodles (oysters + seaweed, 38 RMB) and Fisherman’s Fried Oyster Cake (8 RMB each). Then head to Ewei Divine Stone Park, known for its unique sea erosion landforms. The popular photo spot Feiji Cave offers stunning light and shadow effects at low tide; wearing a solid color long dress is recommended for photos. Enjoy the sunset at Golden Sand Beach in the evening. · Night: Stay at a seaside guesthouse on Meizhou Island to experience the tranquility of the island. Day 2: Jiuli Lake Dream Prayer and Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience · Morning: Visit Jiuli Lake Scenic Area (ticket 50 RMB), praised by Xu Xiake as one of the "Three Wonders of Fujian." Admire the spectacular nine-level waterfalls, take photos in front of the three-tiered waterfalls: Leihongji, Zhuliangji, and Yuzhuji. Try lying on the "Immortal Dream Pillow" stone bed beside Leihongji to experience the thousand-year-old dream prayer ritual. · Noon: Enjoy farmhouse dishes near Jiuli Lake, recommended are Jiuli Lake creek fish (freshly caught and cooked, 48 RMB per jin) and stir-fried Xinghua rice noodles (with crushed peanuts for extra flavor, 28 RMB). · Afternoon: Return to the city and visit Putian Arts and Crafts City. It is one of China’s four major arts and crafts bases, where you can watch master woodcarvers at work and buy intangible cultural heritage souvenirs such as Liqing bamboo carvings (50-300 RMB) and sandalwood fans (starting at 80 RMB). · Night: Head to Putian Grand Theater to watch Putian Opera performances, recommended classic plays include "Spring Grass Breaks In" and "The Top Scholar and the Beggar." Day 3: Cultural Exploration and Food Street Tour · Morning: Choose to visit Nanshaolin Temple (free admission), one of the birthplaces of Southern Fist martial arts, and watch the martial monk performances (daily at 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM). Alternatively, climb Wuhou Mountain Observation Deck to capture the "Putian version of Rio de Janeiro" scenery. · Noon: Start the old town food crawl: Guqiao Tower → Dalu Street → Shizi Street. Taste local specialties like Survival Pan-fried Buns (3 RMB each), Tianjiu Wang Spicy Pork (15 RMB), and Longhua Dan Si Noodles (10 RMB). · Afternoon: Visit Putian Museum (free admission, closed on Mondays), which houses rich collections showcasing Putian’s history, culture, and maritime civilization. Highly recommend the Museum’s Hall 5, the Taiwu Light Year XR Immersive Exploration Center, featuring three XR themed exhibitions: "Deep Sea Adventure," "Space Odyssey," and "Time-Space Mystery: Dinosaur Crisis," perfect for family experiences. · Night: Night tour of Shouxi Park to enjoy the light show and Song-style ancient bridges. If Time is Limited One-day tour: Choose either a Meizhou Island day trip focusing on Mazu culture and island scenery, or a city day tour visiting Putian Museum, Shouxi Park, and tasting authentic local food. Two-day tour: Day 1 on Meizhou Island, Day 2 at Jiuli Lake or Nanshaolin Temple plus city cultural experiences. Attraction Details Below are detailed information on Putian’s main attractions to help you better plan your trip: Attraction Name Recommended Rating Approx. Visit Time Ticket Price Highlights Meizhou Island Mazu Ancestral Temple ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Half day 125 RMB (includes round-trip ferry) Global pilgrimage center for Mazu believers, 14m high Mazu statue, spectacular strait views Jiuli Lake Scenic Area ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 3-4 hours 50 RMB Praised by Xu Xiake as one of Fujian’s "Three Wonders," spectacular nine-level waterfall, dream prayer culture experience Putian Arts and Crafts City ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 2-3 hours Free One of China’s four major arts and crafts bases, exquisite wood and jade carvings, unique souvenirs available Nanshaolin Temple ⭐⭐⭐ 2 hours Free One of the birthplaces of Southern Fist, martial monk performances available Shouxi Park ⭐⭐⭐ 2 hours Free Thousand-year-old lychee forest, boat rides, beautiful night light show Putian Museum ⭐⭐⭐ 2-3 hours Free (closed Mondays) Window into Putian’s history and culture, interesting XR immersive experience Ewei Divine Stone Park ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 2 hours Included in Meizhou Island combo ticket Unique sea erosion landforms, excellent light and shadow effects in Feiji Cave Jiulong Valley National Forest Park ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 3-4 hours Not provided Over 95% forest coverage, glass viewing platform, rafting and other exciting activities Special Experiences Mazu Culture Experience: As the pilgrimage center for over 300 million Mazu believers worldwide, Meizhou Island’s Mazu Ancestral Temple is the core place to experience Mazu culture. If you visit on the 23rd day of the third lunar month, Mazu’s birthday, you can join grand celebrations. Putian Opera Appreciation: Putian Opera is one of China’s oldest opera genres. In the evening, visit Putian Grand Theater to watch classics like "Spring Grass Breaks In" and "The Top Scholar and the Beggar" to feel the charm of local opera. Intangible Cultural Heritage Handcraft Experience: At Putian Arts and Crafts City, you can not only admire exquisite wood and jade carving skills but also try your hand at making crafts and customize your own souvenirs. XR Technology Experience: The Taiwu Light Year XR Immersive Exploration Center at Putian Museum offers three major XR themed exhibitions: "Deep Sea Adventure," "Space Odyssey," and "Time-Space Mystery: Dinosaur Crisis," combining tradition with modern technology, ideal for family fun. Food Recommendations Putian cuisine is rich and diverse. Here are must-try specialties and recommended shops: Dish Name Recommended Shop Price Range Features Braised Noodles Lao Pu Xian vs Xiang Li Xiang 25-38 RMB Lao Pu Xian uses red mushroom broth, Xiang Li Xiang is richly seasoned Wonton A Er Spicy Pork 12 RMB Thin as paper skin, crisp water chestnut filling Fried Rice Noodles Tianjiuwan Spicy Pork Shop 20 RMB Dried shrimp bits enhance flavor, not greasy Red Tuan (Rice Cake) Zheng’s Red Tuan on Shizi Street 3 RMB each Traditional sacrificial food Seafood Braised Noodles Jiangkou Town Big Stall 30 RMB Adds dried scallops for extra sweetness Mazu Peace Noodles "Meizhou Flavor" on Meizhou Island 38 RMB Oysters + seaweed Fisherman’s Fried Oyster Cake Meizhou Island Snack Stalls 8 RMB each Freshly fried, crispy outside and tender inside Survival Pan-fried Buns Old Town Snack Shop 3 RMB each Full filling, crispy bottom Practical Information Best Travel Time: Spring and autumn (March-May, September-November) are the best seasons to visit Putian, with pleasant weather suitable for outdoor activities. Summer (June-August) is hot but good for cooling off at Jiulong Valley and other scenic spots. The 23rd day of the third lunar month, Mazu’s birthday, features grand celebrations on Meizhou Island but also the largest crowds. Transportation: · Airplane: Fly to Fuzhou Changle Airport or Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, then transfer by high-speed train to Putian Station. · Train/High-speed Rail: Putian Station is a major railway hub with many trains stopping. · Local Transport: Buses cover main attractions, taxis are convenient. Meizhou Island requires ferry from Wenjia Pier. Renting electric scooters on the island is recommended. Accommodation Recommendations: · Meizhou Island: Seaside guesthouses to experience the peaceful island nights. · City: Choose hotels in Licheng or Chengxiang districts for convenient transport and diverse dining options. Budget Suggestions (3 days/person): · Budget: 600-700 RMB (budget accommodation + casual dining + public transport) · Comfortable: 1000-1200 RMB (mid-range hotels + specialty dining + taxis) · Premium: 1500 RMB and above (high-end hotels or boutique guesthouses + private car throughout) Useful Tips: 1. Meizhou Island ferry costs 125 RMB/person round trip; island transport options include bus (2 RMB) or electric scooter rental; avoid overpriced unlicensed taxis. 2. Bargain when shopping at Arts and Crafts City (redwood small items priced in the tens of thousands can be bargained down to 30%), and look for the "Jinggong" mark. 3. When visiting natural sites like Jiuli Lake, wear non-slip shoes; stone paths near waterfalls are mossy and slippery. 4. Confirm prices before ordering seafood; steamed dishes are recommended to avoid being shortchanged. 5. Driving to scenic spots like Caixi Rock involves winding mountain roads; novice drivers should be cautious. 6. On rainy days, consider indoor or nighttime activities like Putian Museum or Shouxi Park night tour. Closing Remarks Putian, a city blending millennia of Mazu culture, magnificent mountain and sea landscapes, and rich intangible cultural heritage, offers rewarding experiences whether for pilgrimage, nature exploration, or cultural immersion. We hope this guide helps you plan an unforgettable trip to Putian!