Zhangzhou + Nanny-Level Guide to Explore Stunning Attractions
「🗺️Zhangzhou 3-Day Tour | Classic Combination of Tulou and Islands・Suitable for All Groups」
Zhangzhou, a city blending historical charm and natural scenery, offers abundant joy and beauty whether you stroll with family among ancient Tulou, play by the sea with friends, or experience unique folk customs with children.
🗓️ Itinerary Overview
- D1: Nanjing Tulou Cluster (Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster - Yunshuiyao - Taxia Village)
- D2: Zhangzhou Coastal Volcanic Island Tourism and Leisure Resort → Zhangzhou Ancient City
- D3: Dongshan Island (Nanmen Bay - Jinluan Bay - Sufeng Mountain Island Ring Road)
Daily Detailed Schedule
🏮🍜「🏮Day 1: Explore the Kingdom of Tulou」
- 📍Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster:
- Highlights: Famous "Four Dishes and One Soup" Tulou landscape, uniquely shaped buildings with high historical and cultural value. Elders can feel the historical depth of Tulou, and children can learn about the unique architectural style.
- 🕙 Opening Hours: Open all day, recommended visit from 9:00 to 11:00 to avoid crowds.
- 💰 Admission: 90 RMB, free for children under 1.2 meters, half price for seniors over 60.
- 📸 Photo Spots: Tianluokeng viewing platform for panoramic "Four Dishes and One Soup" view; Tulou interior courtyard.
- 📍Yunshuiyao:
- Highlights: Features a thousand-year-old banyan tree, cobblestone ancient paths, and old Tulou, picturesque scenery. Walking here feels like entering a poetic world, perfect for family leisure strolls.
- 🕙 Opening Hours: Open all day, recommended visit from 14:00 to 16:00.
- 💰 Admission: 90 RMB, same discounts for children and seniors as Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster.
- 📸 Photo Spots: Under the thousand-year-old banyan tree, Yunshuiyao ancient path.
- 📍Taxia Village:
- Highlights: Known as the "Zhouzhuang of Minnan," with small bridges, flowing water, and houses. Tulou built along the creek. You can also taste Tulou black tea and enjoy a leisurely rural time.
- 🕙 Opening Hours: Open all day, recommended visit from 16:00 to 18:00.
- 💰 Admission: Free.
- 📸 Photo Spots: By Taxia Creek, in front of Deyuantang.
- 🏨 Accommodation: Taxia Village has many characteristic homestays, such as Qingpu Cultural Inn, transformed from a century-old Tulou, full of cultural atmosphere, priced 500-800 RMB/night.
- 💡 Tips: Some roads inside Tulou are narrow; pay attention to safety when with elders and children; be cautious when purchasing tea inside Tulou.
🏮🍜「🏮Day 2: Experience Volcano and Ancient City Charm」
- 📍Zhangzhou Coastal Volcanic Island Tourism and Leisure Resort:
- Highlights: Coastal volcanic geological relics, with popular spots like Monument Valley Maze and Rainbow Mountain. Unique volcanic lava reefs and black sand beaches make great photo locations. Kids can explore volcanic mysteries.
- 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:30-17:30, recommended visit from 9:00 to 15:00.
- 💰 Admission: 60 RMB, combo ticket 198 RMB includes maze + Rainbow Mountain.
- 📸 Photo Spots: Pink castle, Sea Oath Platform.
- 📍Zhangzhou Ancient City:
- Highlights: Rich historical and cultural heritage, featuring arcade buildings, Ming Dynasty stone archways, and various local snacks. Experience the authentic Minnan flavor and lively atmosphere.
- 🕙 Opening Hours: Open all day, recommended visit after 16:00.
- 💰 Admission: Free.
- 📸 Photo Spots: Hong Kong Road arcade buildings, Confucian Temple.
- 🍖 Food Recommendations: In the ancient city, try Afang Braised Noodles, Sun’s Mochi, Jianguo Oyster Omelet, with average cost 30-50 RMB per person.
- 💡 Tips: Protect yourself from the sun when visiting the volcanic island; pay attention to food hygiene when tasting local snacks in the ancient city.
🏮🍜「🏮Day 3: Enjoy Dongshan Island」
- 📍Nanmen Bay:
- Highlights: Famous from the movie "The Left Ear," colorful houses built along the slope facing the sea, stunning scenery. You can also find the rooftop featured in the movie, perfect for photo check-ins.
- 🕙 Opening Hours: Open all day, recommended visit from 9:00 to 11:00 or 16:00 to 18:00.
- 💰 Admission: Free.
- 📸 Photo Spots: Colorful houses by the sea, rooftop.
- 📍Jinluan Bay:
- Highlights: Mirror-like beach that reflects the sky and clouds at sunrise, breathtakingly beautiful. An excellent spot to watch the sunrise, and kids can play on the beach.
- 🕙 Opening Hours: Open all day, recommended visit from 6:00 to 8:00 for sunrise.
- 💰 Admission: Free.
- 📸 Photo Spots: On the beach, seaside boardwalk.
- 📍Sufeng Mountain Island Ring Road:
- Highlights: Beautiful island ring road scenery, with green mountains on one side and blue sea on the other. The Blue Bridge section is especially picturesque, ideal for cycling or driving to enjoy the views.
- 🕙 Opening Hours: Open all day, recommended visit from 14:00 to 17:00.
- 💰 Admission: Free.
- 📸 Photo Spots: Sufeng Mountain Blue Bridge, viewing platform.
- 🍖 Food Recommendations: Tongling Town has many seafood restaurants where you can try Dongshan Island catfish porridge and Yantian oyster omelet, with average cost 80-100 RMB per person.
- 💡 Tips: Dress warmly when watching the sunrise at Jinluan Bay; pay attention to traffic safety when cycling or driving on Sufeng Mountain Island Ring Road.
✨Zhangzhou Survival Guide
1. Transportation: Attractions are scattered; renting a car for self-driving is recommended for flexible travel. There are buses in Zhangzhou city, mostly 2 RMB per ride. If you don’t want to drive, you can also choose chartered cars or direct shuttle buses to scenic spots.
2. Clothing: Spring is suitable for light jackets and shirts; summer wear short sleeves and shorts, and take sun protection and mosquito prevention measures; autumn wear long-sleeve T-shirts and light jackets; winter wear thick coats and sweaters.
3. Taboos: Keep quiet in Tulou, temples, and other places; respect local customs and religious beliefs.
4. Accommodation: To experience Tulou style, choose homestays inside Tulou; for convenient travel, choose hotels near Zhangzhou Ancient City, such as Baixiang or Overseas Chinese Hotel; to enjoy island scenery, choose sea view homestays at Nanmen Bay on Dongshan Island.
🛍️ Must-Buy Souvenirs
- Zhangzhou Pianzaihuang: Has medicinal and health value, prices vary by specification.
- Pinghe Guanxi Honey Pomelo: Full flesh and sweet taste, 10-15 RMB per jin.
- Zhangzhou Eight-Treasure Seal Inkpad: Bright colors and fragrant scent, traditional stationery, 30-50 RMB per box.
Closing Interaction
Does Zhangzhou’s Tulou, islands, and ancient city make you eager for a spontaneous trip? If you come to Zhangzhou, would you rather feel the historical depth in the Tulou or enjoy leisurely time by the sea?