Quzhou

衢州

A historic city in western Zhejiang serving as a gateway to Fujian and Anhui provinces, known for ancient temples and Confucian heritage. The city is surrounded by mountain scenery and offers a less touristy authentic experience of Zhejiang's interior.

Things to do

• Confucian Temple (孔庙) — A well-preserved Ming Dynasty temple honoring Confucius, featuring traditional architecture and serving as a center for studying classical Chinese philosophy.
• Longyou Grotto Group (龙游石窟) — A mysterious network of ancient underground caverns carved from rock, dating back over 2,000 years with purposes still debated by archaeologists.
• Quzhou Ancient Town (衢州古城) — The historic downtown core featuring Ming and Qing era wooden buildings, narrow lanes, and traditional shops that reflect authentic inland Zhejiang life.
• Wuyi Mountain scenic area (武夷山) — A short journey to Zhejiang's border offering dramatic mountain landscapes, hiking trails, and views across into Fujian Province.
• Nanxi Scenic Spot (南溪) — A riverside area with walking paths, local vegetation, and peaceful water views that locals frequent for evening strolls.
• Qidong Ancient Fortress (衢江古堡) — A historical defensive structure showcasing military architecture and offering views of the surrounding countryside and Qu River.

Food to try

• Quzhou Soup Balls (衢州汤圆) — Glutinous rice balls filled with peanut, sesame, or meat served in sweet or savory broths, a signature comfort food of the region.
• Longyou Whisker Peanuts (龙游油炸花生) — Locally roasted peanuts with distinctive thin crispy shells that have been a specialty snack of Longyou County for centuries.
• Freshwater Fish from Qu River (衢江鱼) — River fish prepared simply grilled or braised, reflecting the local culinary tradition of using fresh catches from the main waterway.
• Quzhou Pressed Duck (衢州卤鸭) — Duck marinated and pressed with traditional spices, served cold as a popular local appetizer and traveling snack.
• Mountain Bamboo Shoot dishes (竹笋) — Fresh bamboo shoots from surrounding mountains prepared stir-fried or in soups, celebrating the region's forest resources.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect for Confucian sites — Quzhou takes pride in its role as a Confucian cultural center, so showing reverence at temples and educational sites is appreciated by locals.
• River-centric lifestyle — The Qu River divides and defines the city; locals frequently reference which bank they live on, and riverside activities are central to community life.
• Dialect comprehension challenge — Local Quzhou dialect differs significantly from standard Mandarin, so learning a few phrases like 'ni hao' in local accent shows cultural respect.
• Mountain gate tourism etiquette — As a gateway city between provinces, Quzhou locals are accustomed to travelers but prefer respectful engagement rather than rushed photography.