Quanzhou Things to Do

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I don't know why this temple is not so famous as the Kaiyuan Si because we found it to be very interesting.The temple is very old and has an ornate roof in the typical style of South Fujian with colourful animals and dragons. Outside are many people selling incense and praying. There are also a great many beggars whom we found rather pushy,more so than in other places in China that we have visited. Nevertheless the Temple is worth a quick look.

We had heard that Arab traders used to live in Quanzhou in Marco Polo's time and hailing from the Middle East we were curious to see a Chinese Mosque. It was not quite as ornate or fascinating as the Buddhist temples we have seen but it was interesting and dates from over 1,000 years ago. Many parts have been rebuilt.

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We went round the little Overseas Chinese Museum which was free of charge and in my view rather interesting (maybe not for everyone)
It describes the history of the Chinese who left Fujian Province to escape slave labour conditions as "coolies" for the Westerners and traveled to other parts of South East Asia such as Philippines,Vietnam and Malaysia to seek their fortune.Many of them became successful businessmen but didn't lose their ties to their Country of Origin and some came back to use their wealth in the service of the community. The museum is not very big but we found it to be enlightening and a pleasant experience.

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The West Lake Park is located in the north-west part of the city. It was called the "North-west Ocean" which was composed of three famous bridges, three sections of water and four small isles. Inside of this park there is the biggest lake in Quanzhou city. Here a lot of trees, flowers, birds and very quiet. best place for relaxing.
Open time 8:00-17:30

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A very old and famous pair of giant stone pagodas surrounded by temples and wonderful gardens and trees. Very big territory so you can walk here a long time. Unfortunately it is not possible to go inside of towers.
Closed at 17 o'clock.

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One of the oldest Mosques in the world and the only one build in that century.
Territory is very small, you will no see much there. Just some ruins, small mosque model, mango tree )
asmission is 10 rmb

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Qingyuan Mountain is main attraction in Quanzhou, it is one of the national park in China. It covers area more than 56 sq.m. The mountain situated at the north part of Quanzhou.
Here you can see the biggest statue in China of philosopher Lao Tse (Laozi). There is a legend that if you can touch his nose you will be the happiest person (his nose is very high ))

Also you can find here Islamic Holy Tombs from the Tang dynasty (618-907), "Maritime Silk Route" (the grouped stone inscriptions on Jiuri Hill),Tibetan Buddhist stone "Three Lives Buddha".

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To be more exact, it's called the China Museum for Fujian-Taiwan Kinship, in Chinese it's the Min3 Tai2 Yuan2 Bo2 Wu4 Guan3. This's the only museum in mainland China that focuses on Taiwan. It opened in end-May 2006 and there's also a new Quanzhou Museum beside it. Admission is free.
Actually, if you're able to see the entire museum compound from above, you'll realise that it resembles the Chinese character "tai", as in Taiwan. :) Since I doubt any of us can fly, look at http://www.fjsen.com/images/2008-09/16/xin_0809051611200302074712.jpg for an example.
There're interesting exhibits on folk customs (traditional musical instruments used in Fujian nanyin music, elaborate puppets and such) and the history of Fujian-Taiwan Kinship -- with loads of the obligatory proclaimations of "Taiwan's bond to the Motherland is everlasting" and etc.
Extremely unique and huge painting of a tree in the front atrium which was made partly by exploding gunpowder.
Shallow water-filled area in square in front of the museum where locals gather to dip their feet in the cool water on a hot summer's day.
The museum opens daily at 0900. The last admission is at 1600, guards start chasing people out at 1630, and the museum closes at 1700.