Wikivoyage:Currency
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Revision as of 17:26, 9 April 2013
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===By boat===
===By boat===
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There is regular ferry service from Taiwan-controlled [[Kinmen]] (Quemoy) Island to the port of Shijing (石井), some 50 km south of downtown Quanzhou. (CNY150, or NT750). However, as of early 2012, [http://vmenkov.blogspot.com/2012/03/jinmen-kinmen-ferries.html only PRC (China) and ROC (Taiwan) citizens can use it]. The ferries from [[Xiamen]] to Kinmen, however, are open to many nations.
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There is regular ferry service from Taiwan-controlled [[Kinmen]] (Quemoy) Island to the port of Shijing (石井), some 50 km south of downtown Quanzhou. (¥150, or NT$750). However, as of early 2012, [http://vmenkov.blogspot.com/2012/03/jinmen-kinmen-ferries.html only PRC (China) and ROC (Taiwan) citizens can use it]. The ferries from [[Xiamen]] to Kinmen, however, are open to many nations.
==Get around==
==Get around==
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The town has an assortment of religious buildings, some quite old. It has been called a museum of world religions. There are Taoist, Buddhist, and Confucian temples, as anywhere in China, plus Christian churches and one mosque. There are also Hindu and Zoroastrian temples.
The town has an assortment of religious buildings, some quite old. It has been called a museum of world religions. There are Taoist, Buddhist, and Confucian temples, as anywhere in China, plus Christian churches and one mosque. There are also Hindu and Zoroastrian temples.
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The largest and most famous Buddhist temple complex in the area. The well-landscaped grounds house two famous tall pagodas, several temple buildings, an ancient stone turtle, and a variety of religious art. The Xi Jie (West Lane) outside of the temple is a busy shopping street, with all kind of shops selling souvenirs, joss paper and other Buddhist items, snacks, and books.
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The largest and most famous Buddhist temple complex in the area. The well-landscaped grounds house two famous tall pagodas, several temple buildings, an ancient stone turtle, and a variety of religious art. The Xi Jie (West Lane) outside of the temple is a busy shopping street, with all kind of shops selling souvenirs, joss paper and other Buddhist items, snacks, and books.
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The only surviving mosque of the many that used to exist. It is over 1,000 years old, and was rebuilt in 2009 so the dome is now restored after a 200-year absence. Well worth a visit.
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The only surviving mosque of the many that used to exist. It is over 1,000 years old, and was rebuilt in 2009 so the dome is now restored after a 200-year absence. Well worth a visit.
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Large and impressive. Note the huge (over 2 stories tall) ritual furnace for burning joss paper.
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Large and impressive. Note the huge (over 2 stories tall) ritual furnace for burning joss paper.
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'''Books and maps.''' The labirynthine Quanzhou Book City (泉州书城), located underground in Zhongshan Park (Zhongshan North Road, just south of Quanshan Gate)， is pretty good for books and maps of all kinds (mostly in Chinese, of course). This is the only book shop in China where I simultaneously saw many provincial atlases from from StarMaps "军民双用" ("Military and civil use") series, which are superior to most other publishers' products.
'''Books and maps.''' The labirynthine Quanzhou Book City (泉州书城), located underground in Zhongshan Park (Zhongshan North Road, just south of Quanshan Gate)， is pretty good for books and maps of all kinds (mostly in Chinese, of course). This is the only book shop in China where I simultaneously saw many provincial atlases from from StarMaps "军民双用" ("Military and civil use") series, which are superior to most other publishers' products.
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'''Bicycles.''' Quanzhou's bike shops of all kinds are concentrated in Zhongshan Nan Lu (Zhongshan South Road). The more southern section, from Tianhou Lu to Yiquan Lu, has primarily electric bike shops. More to the north, from Yiquan Lu to Tumen Lu, regular (pedal) bicycles are found as well, in a at least a dozen shops. There are a few high-end places for various brands, as well as several shops for Chinese mass-market bikes, in the CNY200-500 range. The small family-owned Triace shop at 376 Zhongshan South Road (山南路376号) can be recommended for its friendly and knowledgeable staff. They speak good Mandarin and a bit of English, and can provide local advice and help you get in touch with local bicycle enthusiasts.
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'''Bicycles.''' Quanzhou's bike shops of all kinds are concentrated in Zhongshan Nan Lu (Zhongshan South Road). The more southern section, from Tianhou Lu to Yiquan Lu, has primarily electric bike shops. More to the north, from Yiquan Lu to Tumen Lu, regular (pedal) bicycles are found as well, in a at least a dozen shops. There are a few high-end places for various brands, as well as several shops for Chinese mass-market bikes, in the ¥200-500 range. The small family-owned Triace shop at 376 Zhongshan South Road (山南路376号) can be recommended for its friendly and knowledgeable staff. They speak good Mandarin and a bit of English, and can provide local advice and help you get in touch with local bicycle enthusiasts.
'''Electronics.''' Need a new iPad? A Chinese cell phone? Some spare parts for your laptop? Computer, cell phone, and electronics shops can be found in Jiuyi St (九一街), west of Wenling Rd. There are also many cell phone shops farther east, as Jiuyi St becomes Fengce Rd (丰泽路)。
'''Electronics.''' Need a new iPad? A Chinese cell phone? Some spare parts for your laptop? Computer, cell phone, and electronics shops can be found in Jiuyi St (九一街), west of Wenling Rd. There are also many cell phone shops farther east, as Jiuyi St becomes Fengce Rd (丰泽路)。
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==Eat==
==Eat==
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The best Southeast Asian and Western cuisine in town. And they provide English menu.
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The best Southeast Asian and Western cuisine in town. And they provide English menu.
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Best Western and Eastern lunch (160 RMB) and dinner (270 RMB) buffet in town. Don't waste your money on buffet at the other 5-star hotel; The Quanzhou Hotel.
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Best Western and Eastern lunch (¥160) and dinner (¥270) buffet in town. Don't waste your money on buffet at the other 5-star hotel; The Quanzhou Hotel.
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All-you-can-eat at moderate prices. Food is generally mediocre, but will hit the spot if you are feeling both hungry and canivorous; the menu includes lots of meat. They brew their own beer, mostly excellent (the green one tastes like lawn clippings, but gold, red and black are ''very'' good) and also moderately priced. There are several locations across town. The lunch buffet is 40 RMB and the dinner buffet is 60 RMB.
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All-you-can-eat at moderate prices. Food is generally mediocre, but will hit the spot if you are feeling both hungry and canivorous; the menu includes lots of meat. They brew their own beer, mostly excellent (the green one tastes like lawn clippings, but gold, red and black are ''very'' good) and also moderately priced. There are several locations across town. The lunch buffet is ¥40 and the dinner buffet is ¥60.
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Best Japanese sushi in town with buffet prices starting at 118 RMB.
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Best Japanese sushi in town with buffet prices starting at ¥118.
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Delicious slow-cooked cubes of beef served in a mild Chinese curry sauce.
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Delicious slow-cooked cubes of beef served in a mild Chinese curry sauce.
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===Budget===
===Budget===
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Inconveniently located on Wenling Road or Chongfu Road are several cheap business hotels, for ¥50-100. There is a hotel in the main bus station (turn right as you come out, look for the London/Moscow/Beijing/... row of clocks in the reception area) and several more along the (fairly long) street between it and the more central bus station. But there are also other budget options in town.
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Inconveniently located on Wenling Road or Chongfu Road are several cheap business hotels, for ¥50-100. There is a hotel in the main bus station (turn right as you come out, look for the London/Moscow/Beijing/... row of clocks in the reception area) and several more along the (fairly long) street between it and the more central bus station. But there are also other budget options in town.
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A convenient hotel for cheap travelers. Rooms are relatively large and clean, but fixtures are old so have a careful look at the room first, and ask for a different room if needed.
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A convenient hotel for cheap travelers. Rooms are relatively large and clean, but fixtures are old so have a careful look at the room first, and ask for a different room if needed.
===Mid-range===
===Mid-range===
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A three star hotel in a fairly central location.
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A three star hotel in a fairly central location.
===Splurge===
===Splurge===
Several hotels exist on the high end, alongside Baiyuan Road and the surroundings, they look like palaces and are easy to spot.
Several hotels exist on the high end, alongside Baiyuan Road and the surroundings, they look like palaces and are easy to spot.
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Fancy. Excellent but expensive weekend brunch.
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Fancy. Excellent but expensive weekend brunch.
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* The new Fuzhou - Xiamen High Speed train stops at Quanzhou which means Quanzhou is connected to Shanghai by train via Fuzhou.
* The new Fuzhou - Xiamen High Speed train stops at Quanzhou which means Quanzhou is connected to Shanghai by train via Fuzhou.
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* Bus to Fuzhou leaves from the bus station at the southern end of the main tourist street (not the main bus station) and takes about 3 hours (¥60-70). There are also Fuzhou busses from the small station next to the Overseas Chinese Hotel.
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* Bus to Fuzhou leaves from the bus station at the southern end of the main tourist street (not the main bus station) and takes about 3 hours (¥60-70). There are also Fuzhou busses from the small station next to the Overseas Chinese Hotel.
* Several times a week, there is an early-morning bus to [[Mount Wuyi]] and [[Jingdezhen]]. This bus is small dirty sleepers, arrives at many of its destinations very late at night, and drops passengers off by the side of the highway rather than the bus station. So book with care.
* Several times a week, there is an early-morning bus to [[Mount Wuyi]] and [[Jingdezhen]]. This bus is small dirty sleepers, arrives at many of its destinations very late at night, and drops passengers off by the side of the highway rather than the bus station. So book with care.