Weird & Unusual Attractions in Quanzhou, China
1. Anbing Temple Fairy Pagoda
A unique seven-story wooden pagoda filled with statues of Jade Emperor and his courtiers.
- Wooden Construction: Constructed without nails, showcasing traditional craftsmanship.
- Jade Emperor Statues: Rare collection of statues representing the Jade Emperor and his court.
- Fairy Tale Connection: Believed to be built as a setting for the Chinese fairy tale 'The Journey to the West'.
2. Quanzhou Underground City
An underground network of tunnels and rooms, built during the Ming Dynasty for shelter.
- Underground Layout: The city's layout is unique and complex, with multiple levels and exits.
- Historical Significance: A rare surviving example of ancient urban defense structures.
- Survival Shelter: The tunnels have been used throughout history as bomb shelters and hideouts.
3. Longyan's Tree of a Thousand Tigers
A massive banyan tree with several trunks resembling tigers' heads.
- Unique Root System: The roots have grown into the shape of a thousand tiger heads.
- Natural Wonder: A natural phenomenon, attracting visitors for centuries.
- Local Legends: Surrounded by various local legends and folklore.
4. Yong Chun Tang Teapot Museum
A museum dedicated to the history and art of teapots, with over 50,000 pieces.
- Largest Collection: Holds the largest collection of Yong Chun teapots in the world.
- Artistic Variety: Features a wide variety of designs and styles from different eras.
- Teapot Appreciation: Encourages appreciation for the artistry and history of teapots.
5. Luoyuan Garden Upside-Down House
A house designed to appear as if it is upside-down, providing an unusual experience.
- Upside-Down Design: The house is built in a way that appears to be upside-down.
- Interactive Experience: Visitors can enter and explore the house, adding to the fun.
- Photography Opportunities: Offers unique photo opportunities for visitors.
6. Gulangyu Island's Piano Museum
A museum dedicated to the history and evolution of pianos on Gulangyu Island.
- Largest Collection: Features the largest collection of pianos in China.
- Historical Context: Provides insight into the historical context of piano manufacturing on Gulangyu Island.
- Interactive Exhibits: Offers interactive exhibits, allowing visitors to play some of the pianos.
7. Quanzhou's Dragon Tiger Pagoda
A unique pagoda with a dragon head and a tiger tail, symbolizing the coexistence of China and the West.
- Symbolic Design: Represents the harmonious coexistence of Chinese and Western cultures.
- Rare Architecture: One of only a few remaining Dragon-Tiger Pagodas in China.
- Religious Significance: Served as a Buddhist stupa and houses relics of the Buddha.
8. Quanzhou Maritime Museum's Oar Collection
A museum dedicated to maritime history, with a unique collection of oars.
- Largest Collection: Holds the largest collection of oars in China.
- Historical Context: Provides insight into Quanzhou's maritime history and culture.
- Interactive Exhibits: Offers interactive exhibits, allowing visitors to learn about the use of oars in ancient sailing.
9. Quanzhou's Ghost City Ruins
An abandoned city, rumored to be haunted, left untouched since the Ming Dynasty.
- Ghost Legend: Associated with local ghost legends and folklore.
- Historical Significance: A well-preserved example of an abandoned city from the Ming Dynasty.
- Urban Exploration: Offers an interesting opportunity for urban exploration.
10. Quanzhou's Ghost Statues of Kaiyuan Temple
A collection of eerie ghost statues at Kaiyuan Temple, representing various demon gods.
- Supernatural Connection: Represents various demon gods and supernatural elements.
- Rare Collection: One of the few temples in China with such a collection.
- Cultural Significance: Provides insight into Chinese beliefs about supernatural entities.
11. Longhu Mountain's Three-legged Buddha
A unique statue of Buddha with three legs, representing the union of heaven, earth, and man.
- Unique Design: The three-legged design is unique to this statue.
- Religious Significance: Symbolizes the union of heaven, earth, and man.
- Spiritual Experience: Offers a unique spiritual experience for visitors.
12. Yongchun's Teapot Windmills
Windmills designed in the shape of teapots, a unique blend of function and aesthetics.
- Unique Design: The windmills are shaped like traditional Chinese teapots.
- Functional Aesthetic: Both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
- Historical Significance: Represents the rich history of teapot production in Yongchun.
13. Quanzhou's Tulou Cluster
A cluster of circular earth buildings, known as Tulous, used for communal living.
- Circular Construction: The round shape provides natural defense and insulation.
- Communal Living: Designed for communal living, promoting social cohesion.
- Historical Significance: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, representing traditional Fujian architecture.
14. Gulangyu Island's Magic Tower
An optical illusion tower that creates an illusion of a leaning tower.
- Optical Illusion: Creates an optical illusion, making it appear as if the tower is leaning.
- Photography Opportunities: Offers unique photo opportunities for visitors.
- Interactive Experience: Provides an interactive and fun experience for visitors.
15. Quanzhou's Underwater Museum
A museum showcasing underwater artifacts and marine life in a giant aquarium.
- Largest Aquarium: One of the largest aquariums in China, housing various marine species.
- Historical Artifacts: Displays underwater artifacts from various eras.
- Educational Experience: Provides an educational experience about marine life and archaeology.