Quanzhou: The Mainland City That's Basically Taiwan.
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Wow, I've just returned from Quanzhou to Zhejiang, but the feeling there still lingers in my heart! You must know that Quanzhou is in the southern Fujian Province, on the southeastern coast of China, right across from Taiwan. My impressions of Quanzhou were strikingly similar to Taipei when I visited a few years back—be it in the sentiments of the locals, the cuisine, or the cultural ambiance, they were all so incredibly亲切.
Quanzhou is a city that brims with everyday energy—a lively aura of real-life happenings, very vibrant, which is quite rare in our cities in Zhejiang.
After a brief stay in Zhejiang, I'll be heading back to Fujian again tomorrow for a full taste.
Seriously, I strongly suggest not to overcrowd in popular spots like Xijie Street.
There are many cozy cafes and tea houses in Quanzhou's bustling streets and lanes. Immersing in the authentic atmosphere and distinct charm of the city is much more rewarding this way.
Regarding Xijie Street, I won't say too much—I think it's merely bustling commercial street with nothing special (according to me).Warning signs and tips for traveling in Quanzhou:
About Xijie (Xī Jiē):
- Be aware: Xijie is one of the most famous streets in Quanzhou. But beware, as it has become highly commercialized with an overabundance of crowds. Therefore, this might not be your best option if you wish to experience the genuine essence of Quanzhou.
- What to do instead: Turn down the smaller alleys or walk through other areas around the city. You will discover many delightful surprises!
About the transportation:
- Be aware: Quanzhou’s public transportation system may not be as convenient as big cities, hence may lead to some frustrating moments while commuting.
- What to do instead: With a bit of pre-planning and using ride-sharing platforms can alleviate travel stress significantly. Plan extra time for a bus ride as needed.
Apart from some travel warts, everything else about Quanzhou is nearly perfect:
- It enjoys coastal scenes (for it is indeed a seaside city)!
- It boasts profound cultural legacies.
- It offers a diverse array of foods.
- It features charming ancient architecture.
- Also, it preserves many nicely renovated Western-style old bungalows from past times.
- Plus, museums and various fascinating cultural creations products.
- “Intangible Cultural Heritage”, the local traditional craftsmanship showcasing such as puppet show, Nanqu (an aged tune), are at your disposal.
- And girls, surely would adore “zanhua weilian”—it's a local custom decoration of lovely flowers atop their heads, a unique experience among them.
I'm looking forward to returning to Quanzhou for another stay soon! First, I'll set off to Fuzhou, another city in Fujian tomorrow, hoping for the same terrific journey.
#TravelQuanzhou #SlowLifeInQuanzhou #AvoidCrowdToExploreQuanzhou #CulturalExplorationInQuanzhou #FujianIsGreat -
Many Taiwanese people, including celebrities like Jay Chou, Nicky Wu, Jam Hsiao, and Jolin Tsai, trace their ancestry back to Quanzhou. So, it's more accurate to say Taiwan resembles Quanzhou, not the other way around. Also, if you travel to Southeast Asia, to places like Singapore or Penang, you'll find that the Minnan dialect (Hokkien) is widely spoken there too.
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I really like Quanzhou too, but the traffic is just chaotic with electric scooters zipping all over the streets.
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Once you immerse yourself and get used to it, you'll understand why it's like that.
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Actually, I feel Quanzhou is more like Tainan, while Xiamen is more similar to Taipei.
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The Minnan (Hokkien) accent in some parts of northern Taiwan sounds a lot like the one in Xiamen.
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Spot on! That's like saying the father resembles the son – it's completely backward. Who ever says the father is like the son?
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Hahahahahahaha (that slightly awkward feeling).
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But most of the things you mentioned—the delicious food, architecture, Western-style villas, cultural and creative products, etc.—are predominantly found within the old city area.
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Do you understand what 'most' means? I can communicate effortlessly in the Quanzhou dialect; it's basically the same as my hometown's dialect.
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As someone from Hefei who's lived in Quanzhou for over a decade, I have to say I still haven't grown to like the local culture, climate, food, or even the dialect.
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But isn't winter there much warmer than in Anhui? And summer isn't as hot as Anhui either. So why the dislike?
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Quanzhou is so boring...
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Fuzhou is even more boring.
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So, where would you recommend going, dear?
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Don't go to Xi Street; it's always incredibly crowded. It's just like those touristy snack streets you find all over the country. Locals rarely go to Xi Street; we prefer exploring the smaller alleyways.
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Let me save up a bit first.
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Quanzhou is essentially the ancestor of Taiwan. Think about it: how many years of history does Quanzhou have compared to Taiwan's relatively recent history?