Fujian Longyan: Vast Cherry Blossoms Five Times Larger Than Japan's Amaze the World, While This Underrated Western Fujian Town Deserves Far More Attention!
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This small town, home to the most beautiful cherry blossom sea in the country,
is worth another trip to Fujian!
Gulangyu, Quanzhou, Wuyi Mountain, Tulou, Dongshan Island... When it comes to Fujian, most people think of these labels.
But in spring, the image of Fujian in our minds is reduced to the cherry blossom sea hidden among the vast tea fields of Yongfu Cherry Blossom Garden.
From January to March, 100,000 cherry trees of 42 varieties bloom in succession, so beautiful it feels like a springtime fairy tale, becoming a stunning focal point and even featured by CCTV.
Yet the small western Fujian city behind it, equally captivating and a private retreat for locals, is often overlooked by tourists.
©Tuchong: Shunqi Ziran Lin
©Tuchong: Jianwang's Travel Photography World
This underrated Fujian city is Longyan.
Though not as popular as Xiamen, it lacks the crowds, and every brick and tile carries the rich cultural history of the Hakka people and the slow-paced charm of the past.
©Xiaohongshu: Lengshan Mao Travel
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A hidden gem overshadowed by stunning cherry blossoms
Every spring, Yongfu Cherry Blossom Garden becomes a must-visit spot, but most come and go in a hurry.
Few remember to ask: What kind of city is Longyan, home to such breathtaking cherry blossoms?
Longyan, the closest inland coastal city to Xiamen (just 1h by high-speed rail), may be low-key but is far from dull:
A prefecture-level city named after the "dragon,"
A ancestral home of the Hakka and Heluo people,
One of the key starting points of the Red Army's Long March...
After visiting, you'll realize that even if you've been to Fujian many times, Longyan is still worth another journey.
Though nestled inland in western Fujian without a sea, it harbors China's most beautiful cherry blossom sea, enchanting countless visitors.
© Douyin: Doulvshe_Lin Shixiong
Though lacking famous mountains like Wuyishan, it boasts scenic landscapes and is renowned as "Northern Yi and Southern Zhai, the Twin Wonders of Danxia."
Though without the elegant ancient towns of Jiangnan, it has the world-famous Yongding Tulou and authentic Hakka villages.
© Tuchong: Jianwang's Travel Photography
© Xiaohongshu: Lengshanmao Travel
Though its cuisine hasn't spread nationwide like Shaxian snacks, Longyan peanuts have won over every Fujianese.
Plus, the nostalgic flavors found on every street corner offer endless variety, even attracting the show "Breakfast in China" to film here!
Longyan's diverse cuisine @ "Breakfast in China"
This spring, follow Qilv's footsteps to this western Fujian town—admire stunning cherry blossoms, experience pure Hakka culture, and savor countless delicious foods!
It will become your reason to revisit Fujian!
Spend a few leisurely days in Longyan, where the slow pace of life will make you forget urban worries instantly.
Yet it reaches its peak beauty every spring!
In late January, when Japan's cherry blossoms are still dormant and Dali's Wuliangshan blooms fade, its splendor is just beginning.
In Yongfu Town at 755m altitude, 55,000 acres of tea fields set off over 100,000 cherry trees, creating a grandeur unseen in Wuxi and a震撼 unmatched by Wuhan University, melting every visitor's heart with layers of red.
Moreover, its blooming season is exceptionally long—42 varieties bloom sequentially from January to March.
Whenever you visit in spring, you'll witness cherry blossoms dancing amid emerald tea bushes.
Even in non-blossom seasons, this tea garden dubbed "Mainland Alishan" is worth the trip.
The serene, undulating tea mountains offer crisp air, perfect for strolling and watching tea-picking and processing.
Yet it has the most authentic Hakka charm!
Here, a large number of unique ancient Hakka villages, exquisite architecture, simple Hakka life, and rich cultural atmosphere make people want to stay.
© Xiaohongshu: Lengshanmao Travel
You may have heard of Yongding Tulou, but you might not know it is located in Longyan, Fujian.
This tulou cluster, listed in the "World Cultural Heritage," holds four Guinness World Records and served as the architectural prototype for the movie "Big Fish & Begonia."
When visiting Yongding Tulou, be sure to see Chengqi Lou, known as the "King of Tulou."
The entire structure is grand, with 400 rooms in total. At its peak, 800 people lived together in one building—just two words describe the first impression: awe-inspiring!
There are also Yongding's oldest existing tulou, Jiqing Lou, and Zhencheng Lou, known as the "Prince of Tulou," each worth a visit.
Inside the tulou, life is leisurely and unhurried; outside, the scenery of streams and rice fields paints a pastoral picture.
© Tuchong: MoorWorld
Peitian Ancient Village is one of the best-preserved ancient residential communities in southern China, with blue-brick houses, slate streets, and well-preserved Ming and Qing-era architecture everywhere.
Over 30 grand halls, 21 ancient ancestral temples, and water features running through the village have earned it the nickname "Folk Forbidden City."
© Tuchong: Jianwang's Travel Photography
In Peitian Village, you’ll witness the most authentic Hakka lifestyle.
Old-style tofu shops, barbershops, and grocery stores still line the streets. You can enjoy homemade dishes like white duck, braised river fish with tofu, and preserved vegetable pork, paired with local fragrant rice wine.
It’s one of China’s two most beautiful small towns. While its sister city, Fenghuang, is widely renowned, it remains "half-hidden behind a pipa."
This is Changting Ancient City, hailed as the "World Hakka Capital," with a history of over 1,300 years.
Nestled among mountains and rivers, this small town was once the political center of western Fujian. Its winding alleys hide numerous ancestral temples, with exquisite carvings and plaques.
At night, you can dress in ancient attire and stroll along the majestic city walls or Shop Head Street, as if traveling back a thousand years.
Zhuguan Ancient Village is surrounded by mountains, a rustic settlement hidden deep in the hills.
Remote and untouched by commerce, it’s a paradise of green hills, clear waters, kind elderly, and sunbathing orange cats.
© Xiaohongshu: Abies Cat Travel
Dingwuling is also a little-known remote ancient village with pristine and tranquil scenery.
The most remarkable thing here is the absence of mosquitoes year-round, making it the perfect summer retreat, cool and refreshing.
But it also boasts green mountains that rival Wuyi Mountain!
When it comes to famous mountains in Fujian, many people only think of Wuyi Mountain, but the scenery of Guanzhai Mountain is equally stunning, renowned as "Northern Wuyi, Southern Guanzhai, the Twin Wonders of Danxia."
Guanzhai Mountain is also a sacred mountain for the Hakka people, featuring typical Danxia landforms. From the summit, you can overlook the entire Liancheng County.
© Tuchong: Forgetful Travel Photography World
Visiting here allows you to check off Longyan's most breathtaking landscapes in one go.
The gentle and picturesque Shimen Lake, the winding and looping Jiulong Lake, and the twisting, secluded Zhu'an Village and Qishi Village.
© Tuchong: Forgetful Travel Photography World
Longyan Forest Water Town, the best spring outing destination in Longyan.
With a forest coverage rate of 92%, dense streams, and a serene environment, it’s sure to relax your mind and body.
It’s also the source of the Jiulong River, with crystal-clear streams drinkable straight from the source, and summer rafting here is incredibly refreshing.
Even just strolling here and breathing the "intoxicating" oxygen is a delightful experience.
Truly Fujian’s premier "Fresh City,"
Where Hakka traditional flavors offer endless variety for days!
Though small, Longyan boasts a rich and diverse culinary culture, with an array of snacks and dishes to satisfy even the pickiest palate.
© Xiaohongshu: Pineapple Bun Loves Food
Even a single breakfast in Longyan can surprise you with its variety.
The centuries-old clear soup noodles,
Specially filmed by "Breakfast in China"
Braised beef offal soup that fills the house with its aroma,
Not just a soup, but a treasure to pair with rice!
The silky and thick beef dou soup,
Is a delicacy Longyan people crave for all three meals a day.
Longyan people pay great attention to dietary therapy, and every dish served at meals has its significance.
Cooling and heat-reducing, but bitter-averse friends should proceed with caution.
Using the nine most premium parts of the cow,
Drunken Hetian chicken, a classic Hakka dish,
The chicken is hailed as one of the world's five famous chicken breeds,
Cooked with Hakka rice wine, combining freshness, tenderness, and fragrance.
Liancheng white egret duck, known as the "quintessence of ducks in China,"
The white egret duck is China's only medicinal duck,
With tender meat and a soup that is neither greasy nor fishy.
Dishes like "stuffed tofu" and "stuffed bitter gourd,"
Are enough to awaken all your taste senses.
In this small city in western Fujian, eating requires restraint, because once full, you can only drool over the abundant snacks.
Longyan ghost cake, somewhat resembling qingtuan,
Is called the "Winter Solstice bun," a seasonal limited on the dining table.
A delicacy you can't find outside Longyan.
The unforgettable taste of home that no one can part with;
In the low-key city of Longyan, you never need to search for guides deliberately. Any local eatery can offer you the unforgettable Hakka delicacies.
With landscapes and ancient towns, gourmet food and cultural heritage, as well as tulou clusters and flower seas... Such a treasure of a small city is truly hard to share.
It’s also hard to imagine that such a Longyan remains "little-known and secluded." While it’s still underrated and spring is in full bloom, set off now!
1. Transportation: Many domestic cities have direct high-speed rail access to Longyan Station; although Longyan has an airport, it’s far from downtown. You can fly directly to Xiamen and transfer to a high-speed train, taking only 1 hour.
Transportation: Take a bullet train or bus to Longyan city center, then transfer to a Longyan-Yongfu minibus at Longyan Bus Station, with hourly departures for convenience. Self-driving travelers can use navigation apps to reach Yongfu directly.
Best viewing time: Mid-February to early March.
Late January to early February: The first bloom, mainly red varieties like Feihan Ying, China Red, Misty Cherry, Yaezakura, and Peony Cherry.
Late February to early March: The second bloom, mainly pink Yunnan Cherry and white Somei Yoshino Cherry.
After March: The third bloom, featuring pink varieties like Shogetsu Cherry, Kanzan Cherry, Fugenzo Cherry, and Mikado Yoshino Cherry.