Stand on the wood-decked ferry pier on Jiangbin Lu and the Ou River opens up in front of you, with Jiangxin Island sitting in the middle of the current and the towers of Lucheng behind your shoulder. That crossing, a few minutes long, is as good an introduction as any to how Wenzhou works: a working river city that has been trading since the Song dynasty and still keeps its older streets within walking distance of the water.
Wenzhou suits travellers who are happy to move between a busy pedestrian shopping street, a wooded hill with a view, and a county town reached by bus or taxi. The city is the municipal seat of a prefecture that also governs surrounding counties, so some of the best days out sit outside the urban core and need a little planning.
This guide covers the sights named in the source material, ordered roughly by how much they repay the effort, followed by a single-day plan and answers to the questions that come up most often.
Top things to do in Wenzhou
1. Jiangxin Island
Jiangxin Island sits in the middle of the Oujiang river, and you reach it by boat from the wood-decked ferry port on Jiangbin Lu, or by bus no. 46, which crosses the Dong'ou Bridge and terminates on the west side of the island — though that bus route is noted as temporarily closed while under construction. The island holds an old pagoda and a new pagoda, large areas of garden and lakes, a water park and a theme park.
The theme park is known for its Ferris wheel, which gives views of both sides of the river, and for a roller coaster that the source advises you buckle up tightly for. Note that the theme park is listed as closed and under construction, so plan around the gardens, pagodas and river views rather than the rides. Adult admission is ¥30, ¥15 for children aged between 6 and 18, and free for children under 6 or under 1.3 metres in height; opening hours run 08:00–22:00 in winter and 08:00–23:00 in summer.
2. Jiangxin Temple
Jiangxin Temple stands at the eastern end of Jiangxin Island, a short distance west of the ferry pier, which makes it the natural first stop once you step off the boat. Entry is free.
Because it is on the same island as the pagodas, gardens and lakes, it combines easily with the rest of a Jiangxin Island visit. Pair it with the Wenzhou Revolutionary History Memorial Museum, which is next door on the southeast coast of the island.
3. Wuma Street
Wuma Street is Wenzhou's most popular pedestrian street, known for its lively atmosphere and local specialties. It is the place to try Wenzhou-style snacks, shop for unusual items and get a feel for the city's commercial culture.
To reach it, take buses no. 31, 68, 108, 108 Express, 115 or B113 and get off at Xiaogaoqiao Stop, then walk north for about 80 metres to find the entrance to the pedestrian street on your right. East Gate Street lies northeast of Wuma Street and closer to the river, so the two can be walked in one outing.
4. East Gate Street
East Gate Street is another pedestrian street in Lucheng District, northeast of Wuma Street and closer to the river. It has less to see than Wuma Street, but it is longer and has trees along it, which makes it a pleasant continuation rather than a destination on its own.
Take bus no. 71, 102, 108 or b112 and get off at the East Gate Building, then walk one block north. The obvious pairing is Wuma Street, since the two are within the same district and a short walk apart.
5. Wenzhou Museum
Wenzhou Museum on Shifu Road is the city's main museum, and entry is free. It is a sensible first stop if you want context before walking the older streets.
It is open Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00–17:00, with no entry after 16:00, and is served by bus routes 8, 31 and 89. Because it closes in the late afternoon, go earlier in the day and keep the evening free for a street or park.
6. Jiushan Park
Jiushan Park, also called Nine Mountain Park, is a small but picturesque park with a lake and a brand new, very high pagoda. Climbing to the top gives excellent views of the city.
The park is free; the times quoted — 8AM–11AM and 1PM–2PM — refer to the pagoda, so check you are inside those windows if the climb is the point of your visit. It sits on Renmin West Road in Lucheng District, with bus stops at the western, southern and eastern entrances.
7. Jingshan Park
Jingshan Park, also known as Jingshan Forest Park, is a huge area of trees and greenery to the west of Wenzhou, reached through Huanglong's backstreets near Wenzhou No. 2 Senior Middle School. It is a good place to walk and to get a view over the city, with the mountain overlooking the suburb of Huanglong.
Opening hours are 08:30–17:30 and admission is ¥30. Bus route 44 runs through the middle of the park, which is useful if you would rather not walk the whole way in.
8. Oubei
Oubei is the town on the northern side of the Ou River in Yongjia County, reached by boat from two docks east of the one serving Jiangxin Island, at ¥1.5 each way. Close to the dock there are temples at the bottom and top of a hill, and a pagoda at the top.
The cheap, short crossing makes this an easy add-on to a river day. Combine it with Jiangxin Island, since the ferry docks are close together on the same stretch of waterfront.
9. Wutian Old Street
Wutian Old Street in Ouhai District combines traditional residential architecture with the natural setting of the Tanghe River. The buildings use local materials — grey bricks, wooden structures and small black-tile roofs — with wooden balconies, arcade-style facades and intricate detailing.
It is designed for evening strolls, with scenic views, shops and local snacks, and a free night tour bus runs from Longxia Station every evening between 17:15 and 21:30, stopping at Wutian Old Street South Gate near Mengtian Music, with a travel time of about 10 minutes. Go after dark rather than in the middle of the day.
10. Epoch Art Museum
The Epoch Art Museum is devoted to contemporary art and sits in Building 4 of Bailuzhou Park in Lucheng District. Admission is ¥30.
It opens Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–21:00, and the late closing means it can follow a daytime walk rather than compete with it. Take bus no. 18, 21, 23, 68, 77 (circle route), 89, 111, 120 or b105 and get off at Heshe Bridge on the west side of the park; the museum is on the east side.
11. Wenzhou Revolutionary History Memorial Museum
This museum focuses on Wenzhou's role in the Communist revolution and is free to enter. It stands on the southeast coast of Jiangxin Island, next door to Jiangxin Temple.
It is open Tuesday to Saturday, 08:30–16:30, with no entry after 16:10, so visit it as part of a morning on the island rather than leaving it to late afternoon. Note that it is closed on Sundays, unlike the island itself.
12. Taiping Temple
Taiping Temple on Lucheng Road is a very new building but a pleasant one, on the western edge of Wenzhou. The site has a long history: the temple was originally established in 942 AD, was converted into an army barracks during the Second World War and later demolished, and the current buildings were put up between 2003 and 2006. Entry is free.
A taxi there costs ¥15–17, and a bus stop sits right outside the temple, served by routes 5, 10, 14, 23, 28, 30, 37, 43, 46, 50, 51, 55, 58, 59, 60, 80, 98, 101, 105, 107, 111, b103 and b106.
13. Dongtou Islands
The Dongtou Islands are a group of islands off the coast in Dongtou District, with a number of scenic spots, some of which charge admission. Once you are there, the easiest way to move between the scenic spots is by taxi.
Buses leave from the Wenzhou South Railway Station Bus Station, cost about ¥30 and take about 90 minutes. Be wary of touts who approach you when you get off the bus.
14. Master and Apprentice Bridges
The Master and Apprentice Bridges, also known as the Shitu Bridges, are the most famous site in Taishun County: two covered wooden bridges close together. The Dongxi Bridge dates from the Ming Dynasty and the Beijian Bridge from the Qing Dynasty, and together they form the centrepiece of the Covered Bridges Cultural Park, which also includes Zhang Shiyi's former residence and the Bao Family Ancestral Hall. Entry is free, and the site is open 08:00–21:00.
Getting there takes effort: there are no direct buses to Sixi town, so you change at Taishun County's North Bus Station, with buses to Taishun departing from Wenzhou Niushan Bus Station on Niushan Road. You may save time by getting off at Nanxi and catching a Sixi-bound bus from there.
15. Nanxi River Scenic Area
The Nanxi River Scenic Area in Yongjia County is a large park with separately ticketed areas, including Chen's Cave at ¥12, Twelve Peaks at ¥30, Jiujishimentai at ¥30, Warehouse Under the Cliff at ¥50, Daitou Ancient Village at ¥10, Furong Ancient Village at ¥20, the Cangpo Fok Museum at ¥10, a Cangpo combo ticket including a traditional wedding ceremony at ¥15, Lishui Street at ¥15, Longbaoxian Cave including a sightseeing car at ¥80, Shiwei Rock at ¥50, Taiping Rock at ¥10, Longwan Pool at ¥70 and Sihai Mountain at ¥10.
Opening hours are 08:00–17:00, though some areas of the park open at 09:00. The source suggests doing this together with nearby Yandang Mountain by renting a taxi for the whole day at ¥300–500, or taking a bus from Oubei Bus Station, in which case you need to tell the driver which area of the park you want.
If you only have one day
Morning. Take the boat from the wood-decked ferry port on Jiangbin Lu to Jiangxin Island, and start at Jiangxin Temple at the eastern end, a short distance west of the ferry pier. Continue to the Wenzhou Revolutionary History Memorial Museum next door on the southeast coast of the island, keeping in mind it opens Tuesday to Saturday, 08:30–16:30, with no entry after 16:10. Spend the rest of the morning among the pagodas, gardens and lakes.
Afternoon. Cross back and walk Wuma Street, Wenzhou's most popular pedestrian street, for local snacks and shopping. From there, continue northeast and closer to the river to East Gate Street, which is longer and tree-lined. If time remains, take bus no. 105 to the western entrance of Jiushan Park and climb the pagoda for views over the city — remembering the pagoda is open 8AM–11AM and 1PM–2PM.
Evening. Head to Wutian Old Street in Ouhai District for an evening stroll along the Tanghe River among the grey-brick and timber buildings. The free night tour bus leaves Longxia Station between 17:15 and 21:30 and stops at Wutian Old Street South Gate near Mengtian Music, about 10 minutes away.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Jiangxin Island?
Take a boat from the wood-decked ferry port on Jiangbin Lu, which costs ¥15 one way. Bus no. 46 also crosses the Dong'ou Bridge and terminates on the west side of the island, but that route is listed as temporarily closed while under construction.
Which sights are free to enter?
Wenzhou Museum, the Wenzhou Revolutionary History Memorial Museum, Jiangxin Temple, Taiping Temple, Jiushan Park and the Master and Apprentice Bridges are all free. Jiangxin Island charges ¥30 for adults and ¥15 for children aged between 6 and 18, with free admission for children under 6 or under 1.3 metres in height.
When should I visit Wutian Old Street?
In the evening. It is described as ideal for evening strolls, and the free night tour bus from Longxia Station runs between 17:15 and 21:30, reaching the South Gate in about 10 minutes.
Do I need to book transport for the Master and Apprentice Bridges?
You cannot get there on a direct bus. Buses to Taishun County leave from Wenzhou Niushan Bus Station on Niushan Road, and you change at Taishun County's North Bus Station; getting off at Nanxi and catching a Sixi-bound bus from there may save time.
Pick the days that match your pace, check the closing days for the museums, and start mapping the river crossings and bus routes before you go.