1. The Lovers' Island That Rings Everyone's Bells
Picturesquely known as "Lover Island", this island lies just north of Wenzhou, in the middle of the Oujiang River, and it's a magical place to explore. At around 70,000 square meters, you can see everything in half a day, and there's plenty to see. Highlights include 1,000 year-old banyan trees, a charming bonsai garden and - most of all - the Jiangxin Temple. The temple is well over 1,000 years old, and features a Song-era bell, and pagodas that have been wowing the faithful since the 700s.
2. Stunning Scenery And Spiritual Sites
Bracketed among China's most scenic mountains, Yandang is located around 50 miles northwest of Wenzhou itself, and has been accepted as a UNESCO "World Geopark" due to its interesting rock formations. Plan your route around the park before you go, as it occupies some 173 square miles, and there are some must-sees. For instance, the Spiritual Rocks are sublime (particularly at sunset), as is the 190 meter Big Dragon Waterfall. And you must also visit the Guanyin Temple, with its amazing location in the crevice between two peaks.
3. A Living Window Into An Ancient Past
Situated in the Yantou district, a short drive north of Wenzhou, Cangpo offers a portal back into a pre-revolutionary era. In fact, this inexpressibly scenic little village dates back to the Song Dynasty, so it's pre-Ming and Qing, too. Try to trace the street pattern, which takes an octagonal "eight diagrams" shape, visit the Wangxiong pavilion, and just take some time out next to the gently flowing Nanxi river, imagining yourself 1,300 years in the past. History comes alive in places like Cangpo, and it's an amazing experience.
4. Dig Deep Into Local Archaeological Discoveries
Situated just south of the center of town, the Wenzhou Museum offers more than enough interest to occupy a lazy afternoon, and some exhibits are absolutely fascinating. There are 20,000 artifacts in total, with everything from carved bricks and lacquer items, to sculptures, brooches, and exquisite pottery - the kind of sublime creations you'd expect from high-class Chinese museums. But you won't find hand-written texts from the Tang Dynasty (around 600-900 AD), or the wealth of Song Dynasty discoveries, in which the area specializes. A must for Chinese history lovers.
5. Souvenirs And Seafood Specialties
When you've trekked to the beauty spots and seen the museums, Wenzhou is a fabulous place to relax. The city has long had a reputation for pleasure and a laid-back attitude, and all of this is on display on Wuma Street, the town's major commercial center. It's only about 400 meters in length, but Wuma Street is crammed with restaurants where you can try Wenzhou's trademark fish dishes and dumplings. It's all pedestrianized, so you can stroll and browse at your leisure - and it's also a great souvenir hunting spot.
