Licheng

Getting around

Licheng District is compact, and the historic core is best covered on foot: many narrow old-city streets restrict car traffic, so you can stroll between temples, markets and traditional shophouses, and the district is considered safe enough for late-night walks along the illuminated Jinjiang River embankments. Wear comfortable shoes, carry your hotel's business card in Chinese to show a driver or passerby if you get turned around, and bring an offline translator plus Baidu Maps or Amap for navigation, since English is not widely spoken.

• Bicycle rental pairs well with walking: ride between clusters of sights, then walk the lanes.
• Cycle rickshaws and electric taxis are popular for short hops through the old city, where car traffic is restricted.
• Buses are the backbone of public transport, connecting the district to all parts of Quanzhou and covering the major attractions; fares are extremely low. Pay with coins dropped into a box by the driver, or by QR code through a mobile app.
• For longer cross-district trips, use the Didi ride-hailing app, which has an English version and operates around the clock. Have your destination written in Chinese.
• High-speed rail connects Quanzhou station to major coastal cities, and a taxi from the station to the historic center takes no more than about twenty minutes.
• Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport (JJN) is the nearest airport, roughly half an hour to forty minutes from the Licheng center by taxi or shuttle bus; Xiamen Airport is an alternative about an hour and a half away, with more international connections but a longer transfer.

Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with an international card before you travel, since it is the standard way to pay for transport and most other purchases; keep a small amount of cash for bus fares, but do not count on receiving change easily. A couple of phrases help: "Nihao" for hello and "Xiexie" for thank you.

Three days in Licheng

Day one: Base yourself in Licheng District and get your bearings along the Jinjiang River. Wear comfortable shoes and light clothing, as the weather is often warm and humid. Download Baidu Maps or Amap before you set out; both work in Chinese, though Amap has a limited English mode. Bicycle or cycle where you can, and use buses or Didi for longer hops. Pay with Alipay or WeChat Pay by QR code, and learn a few words like nihao and xiexie.

• Licheng District
• Jinjiang River
• Baidu Maps / Amap
• Bicycle / Cycle / Buses / Didi
• Alipay / WeChat Pay

Day two: Stay in Licheng and travel by bicycle, cycle, bus or Didi to cover more ground. Keep Baidu Maps or Amap open for navigation, and have Alipay or WeChat Pay ready for QR payments. If you need to reach Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport (JJN), allow time for the trip; Xiamen Airport is another option for arrivals and departures.

• Licheng District
• Bicycle / Cycle / Buses / Didi
• Baidu Maps / Amap
• Alipay / WeChat Pay
• Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport (JJN) / Xiamen Airport

Day three: Use your last day in Licheng to revisit the Jinjiang River and fill any gaps. Check Baidu Maps or Amap for bus and Didi routes, pay by QR with Alipay or WeChat Pay, and set aside time for the airport. Carry water, dress for warm and humid conditions, and keep nihao and xiexie handy.

• Licheng District
• Jinjiang River
• Baidu Maps / Amap
• Buses / Didi
• Alipay / WeChat Pay
• Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport (JJN)