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3 Days in Quzhou: Itinerary 2026
Begin your trip at Quzhou Railway Station, which connects to major cities like Hangzhou and Shanghai via high-speed trains. From the station, take bus 27 or a 20-minute taxi to tβ¦ πΊοΈ Where to Start
Begin your trip at Quzhou Railway Station, which connects to major cities like Hangzhou and Shanghai via high-speed trains. From the station, take bus 27 or a 20-minute taxi to the city center near the Confucian Temple area. This central location puts you within walking distance of many key attractions.
ποΈ Day 1: Confucian Culture
Start your morning at the Quzhou Confucian Temple (address: 162 Xinshi Street, Kecheng District), open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM with an entrance fee of 10 RMB. Spend about two hours exploring the halls and gardens, then walk 10 minutes to the nearby Quzhou Museum (free entry, closed on Mondays) for exhibits on local history. In the afternoon, head to the Water Pavilion Gate (Shuimen) on the Qujiang River, a scenic spot for photos and a short boat ride (30 RMB per person).
π Local Food Highlights
For lunch on Day 1, try the famous Quzhou wontons at Lao Ma Tou Wonton (address: 23 Fangmen Street), where a bowl costs around 12 RMB. Dinner should feature Quzhou's signature dish, braised duck head, at a local restaurant like Quzhou Flavor (address: 88 Shang Street, Kecheng District), with mains averaging 40-60 RMB. Don't miss the crispy sesame cakes sold by street vendors near the Confucian Temple for a quick snack.
π³ Day 2: Nature and Temples
Take a 30-minute bus ride (route 1 or 15) from the city center to Lanke Mountain, a scenic area with hiking trails and ancient temples. The entrance fee is 20 RMB, and the hike to the top takes about 1.5 hours, offering panoramic views of Quzhou. After descending, visit the nearby Longyou Grottoes (address: Longyou County, 40 minutes by bus from Lanke Mountain), an underground complex of man-made caves open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (tickets 50 RMB).
ποΈ Evening Strolls
On Day 2 evening, explore the historic Shuimen Street, a pedestrian-only lane lined with traditional architecture and tea houses. Stop for a cup of local green tea at Mingqian Teahouse (address: 45 Shuimen Street), where a pot costs 25 RMB. The street is beautifully lit after dark, making it perfect for a relaxed walk.
ποΈ Day 3: Markets and Departure
Spend your final morning at the Quzhou Antique Market (address: 12 Renmin Road, Kecheng District), open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, where you can browse calligraphy, ceramics, and local crafts. Bargaining is expected, so start at half the asking price. For lunch, grab a quick bowl of noodles at the nearby Noodle King (address: 56 Renmin Road), with bowls starting at 15 RMB.
π Getting Around
Quzhou's public bus system covers most attractions with fares of 2 RMB per ride; you can pay with a local transit card or mobile QR code. Taxis start at 8 RMB for the first 3 kilometers, and ride-hailing apps like Didi are widely available. For Day 2's trip to Longyou Grottoes, consider renting a car or joining a small group tour (around 150 RMB per person) to save time.
π° Budget Tips
Most attractions in Quzhou cost under 50 RMB, making it a budget-friendly destination. Street food meals average 15-25 RMB, while sit-down dinners run 40-80 RMB per person. Carry cash for small vendors, as not all accept mobile payments. A 3-day budget of 800-1000 RMB per person (excluding accommodation and transport to Quzhou) is sufficient for a comfortable trip.
Lived in Quzhou for a bit and that itinerary covers the highlights well. One thing the guide doesn't mention is that the Confucian Temple has a small stele forest in the back courtyard with some genuinely old carvings, not just the replica steles you see out front. Most people miss it because it's past the gift shop and through an unmarked door.
For the braised duck head, I'd actually recommend going to the night market on Fangmen Street instead of a sit-down restaurant. After 7pm there are three or four stalls that set up right where the street dead-ends at the river, and they grill the duck heads over charcoal instead of braising them. Costs about 10 rmb each and you can eat them while walking along the water. The vendors there are also the ones who sell the best crispy sesame cakes, fresher than the ones near the temple during the day.
The Longyou Grottoes are impressive but the bus situation is annoying. If you're not in a rush, the local bus from Quzhou's south station to Longyou county costs 8 rmb and drops you at the county bus terminal, then you transfer to a minibus that goes the last 15 minutes to the grottoes. It takes about 90 minutes total but you get to see the countryside, lots of bamboo groves and little villages along the way.
the water pavilion gate boat ride is worth it but honestly the 30 rmb version is just a short loop, i'd skip it and walk along the river instead. there's a path that goes east from the gate for about a kilometer, ends at this old stone bridge where you can see the whole city skyline at sunset. hardly any tourists there
for the braised duck head, quzhou flavor is fine but if you want the real deal go to a place called xiao li's on beimen street, it's a tiny hole-in-the-wall with no english sign. their duck head is 15 rmb and they do this pickled chili side that cuts through the richness. gets crowded by 6pm though
lanke mountain hike is doable in sneakers but there's a section near the top with loose gravel, take it slow. the temple at the summit has a monk who sells cold tea for 2 rmb, way better than lugging water up
this itinerary is pretty solid tbh, i've lived in quzhou for two years and i can vouch for most of it. one thing i'd add is that the confucian temple gets packed by 10am on weekends, so if you're going in 2026 maybe aim for a weekday or get there right when it opens at 8. the garden out back is actually my favorite part, most people rush through it but there's this little pond with koi that's real quiet in the morning.
for the longyou grottoes, the bus from lanke mountain can be a pain tbh, it only runs every hour and drops you a 15-min walk from the entrance. i'd recommend taking a didi from the mountain base instead, it's like 40-50 rmb and saves you an hour of waiting. also the grottoes are cooler inside than you'd expect, bring a light jacket even in summer.
the antique market on renmin road is hit or miss tbh, most of the "antique" stuff is mass-produced replicas. but there's a guy at the far end near the pharmacy who sells legit old coins and jade, he's the only one who doesn't haggle much because he knows what he's got. noodle king is solid for lunch though, their beef noodle soup is 18 rmb and way better than the ones near the train station.
Things to Do in Quzhou (2026)
Begin your Quzhou journey at the ancient Water Pavilion Gate, a Ming dynasty landmark that once guarded the city's waterways. The surrounding old town streets are lined wiβ¦ π― Start at the Old City
Begin your Quzhou journey at the ancient Water Pavilion Gate, a Ming dynasty landmark that once guarded the city's waterways. The surrounding old town streets are lined with traditional tea houses and calligraphy shops, perfect for a morning stroll. Entry to the gate is free, and it's located at 1 Nanjie Road.
β°οΈ Hike the Lanke Mountain
Lanke Mountain, just 15 minutes by bus from the city center, offers a scenic hike with sweeping views of Quzhou. The trail takes about two hours round trip and passes the famous Lanke Temple, where you can rest and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Admission is 30 RMB, and buses run from the main station every 20 minutes.
π Taste Local Snacks
Quzhou is famous for its savory baked cakes called 'Quzhou bing', best enjoyed fresh from street stalls near the Confucian Temple. Try the version stuffed with pickled vegetables and pork at the stall on 88 Fushan Street, open from 7 AM to 6 PM. Another must-try is the local 'three-cup chicken', a fragrant clay pot dish served at many family-run eateries.
ποΈ Visit the Confucian Temple
The Quzhou Confucian Temple is one of the most important in China, second only to the one in Qufu. Located at 162 Xinhe Street, it houses ancient steles and a serene garden where locals practice tai chi in the mornings. Admission is 20 RMB, and it's open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM.
π€ Cruise the Qu River
A leisurely boat ride along the Qu River gives you a different perspective of the city, especially at sunset when the lights reflect on the water. Boats depart from the pier near the Water Pavilion Gate every hour from 10 AM to 8 PM, with tickets costing 50 RMB per person. The 40-minute trip passes under historic bridges and by modern parks.
π¨ Explore the Art District
The Wenhua Art District, tucked away in a former factory complex on 12 Jiefang Road, is a hub for contemporary painters and ceramicists. You can watch artists at work in their studios and buy unique souvenirs directly from them. Most studios are open from 10 AM to 6 PM, and entry is free.
π Evening Stroll at Nanhu Park
Nanhu Park, located in the city center, transforms into a lively gathering spot after dark with illuminated pagodas and a musical fountain show at 7:30 PM. Locals come here to dance, play chess, or simply enjoy the cool breeze by the lake. The park is free and open until 10 PM.
π Getting Around
Quzhou's public bus system covers all major attractions, with single rides costing 2 RMB. For more flexibility, you can rent a bicycle from stations near the train station for 1 RMB per hour via the local app. Taxis are also affordable, with most trips within the city center costing under 20 RMB.
fwiw the confucian temple garden is prob the best spot in quzhou for a quiet afternoon, i usually bring a book and sit on the bench near the koi pond around 3pm when the light filters through the old trees. most people rush through but theres a small side gate that leads to a bamboo grove with a stone table where the monks used to play chess, nobody ever goes back there. also if you're into food the three-cup chicken is great but the real hidden gem is the stinky tofu at the night market on zhongshan road, it's at the third stall from the north end and they serve it with a fermented bean paste that cuts the funk perfectly
the water pavilion gate area is great but honestly i think the real charm is getting lost in the side alleys just off nanjie road. there's a tiny family-run shop at 23 hua yuan alley that does the best θ‘’ε·ι₯Ό i've ever had, they use a secret chili oil that'll wake u right up. also if u go to lanke mountain, skip the main trail and take the left fork at the big pine tree, it leads to a little waterfall nobody talks about. for evening stuff, nanhu park is fine but i prefer hanging out at the old city wall near the river, there's usually a few folks playing erhu and the lights on the water are better than the fountain show imo
nice write up, i'd say the art district is worth a stop but don't expect a ton of stuff, it's small and quiet. if you're into ceramics though there's an old guy in studio 7 who does these blue glaze pots that are really pretty, he'll chat with you for ages if you show interest