As a student traveler, Quanzhou gave me so many surprises. During this winter break, I spent three days exploring this city known as the 'Eastern First Great Port'. Walking on Tumen Street, ancient mosques stand side by side with Southern Fujian red brick buildings, as if telling the story of the prosperous era when thousands of merchants gathered here during the Song and Yuan dynasties.
The majestic East and West Pagodas of Kaiyuan Temple
Authentic thread noodles and jelly in West Street
What shocked me most were the East and West Pagodas of Kaiyuan Temple. Standing under the pagodas and looking up, I could feel the wisdom and devotion of craftsmen from a thousand years ago. In the alleys of West Street, I tasted authentic thread noodles and seaweed jelly. The shop owner warmly told me her family has been running this business for four generations.
"Quanzhou is like an open-air museum of maritime history, where every stone tells a story of cultural exchange."
The Qingjing Mosque, one of China's oldest mosques, particularly moved me. Seeing Arabic inscriptions alongside traditional Chinese architecture made me appreciate how different cultures coexisted harmoniously here centuries ago.
Travel Tips for Students:
- 🎫 Student discounts available for most attractions (around 50% off)
- 🚍 Well-connected public transportation (bus fare only 1-2 yuan)
- 🍜 Don't miss the local street food in West Street
- 📸 Best photo spot: Kaiyuan Temple Pagodas at sunset
- 💰 Budget: 200-300 yuan per day is comfortable
As a student on a tight budget, I found Quanzhou really friendly. Most attraction tickets are under 50 yuan, hostels cost less than 100 yuan per night, and the bus system is well-developed. If you also want to experience the charm of Maritime Silk Road culture, Quanzhou definitely deserves a spot on your travel list!