Giving up on Sanya! Taking my parents to Quanzhou is the ultimate winter escape

When flight and hotel prices in Sanya soar and the beaches are overcrowded, Quanzhou, an ancient city known as "half city of fireworks, half city of immortals," is becoming a hidden gem for taking parents to avoid the cold with its warm 20℃ climate, slow-paced old streets, free attractions, and healthful cuisine! I just completed a comfortable 5-day, 4-night trip with three elderly family members and have personally tested and compiled this foolproof, slow-paced, budget-friendly filial travel guide. Save this article to unlock the warmest journey that truly understands your parents～👇 🌞 Why choose Quanzhou over Sanya for parents? 1. Mild and comfortable climate - Around 20℃ daily average in November-December, comfortable feel, no harsh sun or humidity like Sanya, suitable for elderly joints. - High urban greenery rate, natural oxygen bars like Qingyuan Mountain and West Lake Park for morning exercises. 2. Rich cultural heritage - Attractions like Kaiyuan Temple, Luoyang Bridge, and Qingyuan Mountain combine history and scenery, highly interesting for the older generation. - Intangible cultural heritage performances such as puppet shows and Nanyin music have a slow pace, avoiding the crowds of trendy spots. 3. Affordable expenses - High-end hotel prices are only one-third of Sanya’s, and unique homestays cost about 150 RMB per person per night for comfortable stays. 🏯 4 warm-hearted attractions suitable for parents (slow pace + no uphill climbs) 1. Kaiyuan Temple + West Street cultural stroll - Recommended because: A free millennium-old temple in the city, flat terrain with no steps, stunning photos of the twin towers. - Parent experience: - Rest in the temple’s long corridor while listening to a free 1300-year history guided tour (10:00/15:00 daily). - Buy handmade rice cakes (5 RMB each) from old shops on West Street and sit by the street to watch the arcade crowds. - Tip: Arrive before 9 AM to avoid crowds; wheelchairs available for rent inside the temple. 2. Qingyuan Mountain tea tasting and sightseeing - Recommended because: A 5A scenic spot in the city, accessible by car to the summit with panoramic views of Quanzhou. - Parent experience: - Hire a car (200 RMB per vehicle) to avoid climbing, take photos in front of Laojun Rock. - At Nantaiyan Tea House, enjoy Tieguanyin tea with snacks for about 15 RMB per person while overlooking the city. - Tip: Sightseeing bus costs 30 RMB per person, directly reaching core spots; clean, accessible restrooms at mid-mountain. 3. Xunpu Fishing Village flower hairpin experience - Recommended because: The same flower hairpin style as Zhao Liying, flat and easy to walk fishing village, fresh seafood caught and cooked on the spot. - Parent experience: - Rent flower hairpin costumes for 20 RMB, instantly turning mom into a "Maritime Silk Road maiden" for photos. - Buy squid and oysters at the dock (30 RMB per bag), have restaurants cook them for 10 RMB per dish. - Tip: Mudflats are slippery at low tide, wear non-slip shoes; can hire a photographer for 100 RMB/hour. 4. Luoyang Bridge millennium Maritime Silk Road relic - Recommended because: One of China’s four ancient bridges, flat stone slab road, only 1 km long, perfect for slow walks. - Parent experience: - Invite local elders to explain the "raft foundation" bridge-building wisdom (20 RMB explanation fee). - Buy stone flower jelly (6 RMB per bowl) at the bridgehead shops; soft afternoon light after 4 PM is great for photos. - Tip: Electric carts (10 RMB per person) available at the entrance for those with mobility issues. 🍲 3 healthful dishes parents will love 1. Mianxian Hu (thin noodles in broth) + fried dough sticks - Recommended: Shuimen Guozai Mianxian Hu (20 years old), pork bone broth with large intestines and vinegar meat, warm and comforting. - Suitable for parents: Soft and easy to digest, can choose no MSG added. 2. Ginger Duck - Recommended: Sidian Ginger Duck (30-year-old shop), slow-cooked in a clay pot for 2 hours, ginger juice drives away cold. - Suitable for parents: Ginger warms the stomach, duck meat stewed until falling off the bone, can request less salt. 3. Four Fruit Soup + Peanut Soup - Recommended: A Ling Peanut Soup (traditional flavor), available iced or hot, sweet but not greasy. - Suitable for parents: Sugar-free version available, paired with taro, lotus seeds, and other healthful ingredients. 🏨 Accommodation recommendations: Quiet + complete medical facilities Hotel Name | Price/Night | Elderly-friendly Highlights West Street Fuxingyi Hotel | 160 RMB | Near hospital, elevator, free parking. Monsoon Homestay (West Street) | 200 RMB | Ground floor, no stairs, courtyard for sunbathing. Lüquan Hotel (Puxi Wanda) | 300 RMB | 3-star service, smart toilets, emergency call bells. 🗓️ 5-day, 4-night itinerary (tested, parents not tired) Day 1: Arrival and rest - Afternoon: Check into a hotel near West Street, 10-minute walk to Dongxing Beef Restaurant (steak set + salty rice). - Evening: Stroll West Street, buy Xiao Anji rice cakes for tea, early sleep to adjust time difference. Day 2: Cultural first experience - Morning: Kaiyuan Temple (2 hours) - Quanzhou Museum (seating available for rest). - Noon: Overseas Transportation History Museum indoor visit (air-conditioned), lunch at Bafanglin Quanzhou cuisine. - Afternoon: Hire car to Qingyuan Mountain for tea, descend by 5 PM to avoid rush hour. Day 3: Slow life in fishing village - All day: Xunpu Village flower hairpin photos (2 hours) - buy seafood at dock and have it cooked - beach shell collecting. - Evening: Return to city, watch puppet show (7:30 PM session, 1 hour). Day 4: Ancient bridge and old street - Morning: Luoyang Bridge walk (1.5 hours), buy stone flower jelly at bridgehead. - Noon: Hui’an restaurant to try radish rice and eel rolls. - Afternoon: Goldfish Alley puppet DIY experience (30 RMB per person), parents highly engaged. Day 5: Souvenir shopping - Morning: Buy dried longan and red yeast rice at the market, ship to lighten luggage. - Noon: Afeng vinegar meat freshly fried and eaten, last meal before departure. 💡 Thoughtful tips for traveling with parents 1. Transportation: Use Xiaobai ride-hailing (2 RMB per person), tell driver destination for immediate stops to avoid walking fatigue. 2. Schedule: Allow rest time between attractions, plan 1-hour afternoon naps daily. 3. Emergency: Carry common medications, note Fujian Medical University Affiliated Second Hospital phone number (1 km from West Street). 4. Expenses: Most attractions are free or low-cost, 1500 RMB per person covers food, lodging, and transport. Interaction time: Which warm side of Quanzhou do you most want to show your parents? Or have you already taken your family to Quanzhou? Share your filial travel stories in the comments! 👵❤️👴 (PS: Some temples in Quanzhou require shoe removal, it’s recommended to prepare a pair of soft, non-slip shoes for your parents～)