Homestays in Fujian, China

This place makes me wish there was an option for six stars. I study Asian art for a living, and I travelled to Jianyang to visit the home of Jian ware, classic tea bowls of the Song dynasty (960 to 1279 CE), distinguished by their black and brown glazes. Over the last few decades, firing Jian ware in the Song tradition has been revived in the area. I chose Nanping Colourful Village Homestay because it was in Jianyang, affordable, and accepted international guests. What I found was a luxury resort with all the warmth and personal attention of a homestay. I asked the front desk about an excavated Song kiln site in a nearby village, and the receptionist brought me the manager, who arranged for someone to take me the next day. My driver was Ms. Huang, an employee of the resort whose job involves buying and selling contemporary pieces. She knew everything about Jian ware! The kiln site isn’t run as a tourist site, so I was only able to view it because Ms. Huang arranged for it to be opened for me. I had told them I was vegetarian, so for lunch they took me to lunch at a vegetarian buffet. Then we visited the town’s Jian ware museum, where they have exhibits on the history of tea and Jian ware, historical pieces, and the work of contemporary Jianyang potters. To my delight, Mr. Gao, the potter-in-residence at the resort, uses a Song-style wood-fired dragon kiln, built right on the grounds! His pieces that range from beautiful but quite affordable to exquisite and appropriately expensive. They include both iridescent silvery oil spot and orange-to-black hare’s fur pieces. I am still thrilled that I was able to purchase wood-fired pieces on my limited budget. For dinner, the resort’s restaurant prepared vegetarian versions of Fujian cuisine for me. The food was all delicious, featuring classic Fujianese mountain ingredients like local bamboo and mushrooms. Then we visited Mr. Gao’s dragon kiln, and later his studio, where he experiments with different local clays and glaze recipes. The rich colours and iridescence of Jian ware are the result of the iron-rich local material fired at high temperature, and the results are as unpredictable as they are beautiful. The next day, they drove me to Mr. Chen’s family tea plantation in the mountains, where they grow famous northern Fujian teas. These fine teas were all wonderful, smooth and rich with a touch of smoke, and sometimes fruity in flavour. We strolled through mountainsides of tea bushes and visited groves of centuries-old tea trees. This is a perfect place for an immersive experience in China that is also very comfortable and convenient. I often find tourist experiences in China claustrophobic due to the press of people, but the resort was spacious and airy, and they took me to places where there was no one else but us and the occasional local going about their business. Everyone was very patient with my limited Chinese language skills. They were also happy to work with translator apps on our phones, so if you don’t speak any Chinese, you will be fine. This would be a great place to come as a family. There are gardens and rides for kids right next to the resort. You can learn how to whip Song-style tea and carve your name into the base of your own Jian ware cup. Not far away is a historical theme park with a collection of real architecture from the Ming (1368 to 1644 CE) and Qing (1636 to 1912 CE) dynasties. The employees wear period dress and there are performances and activities. Nearby there are hiking trails, historical sites, and lovely villages to visit. It’s also very close to Wuyi Mountain National Park, so it would be a perfect place to stay if the mountains are your destination. If you ask, they could arrange for you to visit famous sites or take you to breathtaking places that only locals know, whatever you want. They can also arrange transport to and from the train station or airport.

Highly recommend this guesthouse suite! Beautifully decorated, incredibly comfortable, and with plenty of rooms. The rooms are clean, spacious, and fully equipped. The bed is very comfortable, and the soundproofing is decent. The location is convenient yet quiet, making for a perfect stay – a truly therapeutic experience!

Located at the end of Nanmen Bay, on the upper left of Dongshan Fengdongshi Scenic Area, the room we stayed in has no noise mirrors and looks like it is in the scenic area. The super invincible sea view, we can take postcard-like photos on our own private balcony. In terms of geographical location, other B&Bs or hotels on Dongshan Island may really not be able to compare with his home. In terms of the luxury of the room, many B&Bs I have stayed in in China are really not on the same level as his home. The decoration in the room is simple but high-end, and many equipment and furniture are imported (so although the room fee has been collected, pre-authorization is still required). His shower room is one of the few hotels and B&Bs I have stayed in in China that will not leak. The projector also has a high-definition picture. There are many snacks in the room. Basically, you don’t want to go out when you stay in the room, because the beautiful sea view can make you lie on the rocking chair on the balcony for an afternoon. It’s really a bit like our vacation in Seychelles or Six Senses Yao Noi. Because it is relatively hidden, it is a little far from the parking and commercial areas (many restaurants are in this area), and the owner of the B&B will drive a battery car to pick you up. The B&B is not far from the only remaining ancient street in Dongshan, and there are many snack shops and small restaurants on the ancient street. Go to the lower left after leaving the B&B, and you will see many piers where fishing boats are moored after passing the Fengdongshi ticket office. The more famous Fish Ball Grandma on the island is nearby. His Liufu fish balls, peanut sesame cakes and meat dumplings are delicious. The B&B does not provide breakfast, but you can take it out, which is not inconvenient. The main thing here is the high-end rooms and the unbeatable sea view. The most important thing is that dogs are also welcome. My two short legs also like it here very much.

It is located a few dozen meters away from the Huaiyuan Building parking lot. There are two parking spaces at the door of the B&B that can be used, so there is no need to drag suitcases of various sizes along the stone road. B&B owners also operate their own restaurants, which solves the problem of dining out. Take a few steps in from the entrance path to Huaiyuan Tower. Then along the stream, you can pass by Yunshuiyao Ancient Town with its big waterwheel and big banyan tree. After walking for more than 1 kilometer, you will reach Hegui Tower. Chatting with the landlord was like family, very cordial. We originally agreed to pay 10 yuan for breakfast per person, but ended up giving away breakfast for the two of us without charge. Each person has a bowl of hot porridge, a meat bun, steamed buns, eggs, and a plate of side dishes. Although it is an ordinary home-cooked meal, it is full of heart. For those who eat greasy meals out, this light breakfast is more considerate. There is a tea field at the door of the B&B, and corn, ginger, and green onions are planted... It is simply used to save the cognition of children who grow up in reinforced concrete houses. Falling asleep to the sounds of insects and frogs at night is like going back to childhood. Each room is equipped with screen windows so no mosquitoes can enter. If you have the chance, you should come back and wander around in a daze.

Found a gem for our family trip to Xiamen! The Weishang Garden Hotel's family room is simply divine. It's in a prime location on Zhongshan Road, with a charming Nanyang retro vibe. Stepping out, you're surrounded by street food and shopping districts. It's super close to the ferry terminal and the Bashi market, saving us a lot of travel time. The room is incredibly spacious, bursting with a playful, child-friendly atmosphere. My kids instantly fell in love with the bunk bed with a slide, and the safety rails gave us parents peace of mind. There were dolls, building blocks, and a small tent – enough to keep the little ones entertained for half the day, meaning we didn't have to keep an eye on them constantly. The room also features a private little balcony, and the faint scent of tea in the corridor made us feel instantly relaxed upon entering. The entire room is equipped with smart devices, and the toiletries were clean and high-quality. The bathroom has a separate wet and dry area, and the floor is covered with soft mats, so we didn't have to worry about the kids bumping themselves while running barefoot. Robot delivery is available 24/7, and the concierge was incredibly responsive to our requests. The bedding was soft, ensuring a comfortable night's sleep. It's spacious and comfortable enough for a family of three or even families with two children. Our kids were already asking to come back next time we left. This is definitely our top choice for family accommodation!

The room was clean and tidy, the bed was very comfortable, and the room smelled delicious. All toiletries, including the bath towels, were disposable, so they were safe to use. Any needs were met, including a pick-up and drop-off service, and you could rent an electric scooter. When the owner picked us up at the station, he offered us milk tea after we'd missed our meals. During the May Day holiday, he gathered everyone for a barbecue and chat, and his hands were practically spitting out sparks from the skewers he was skewering. The only downside was being woken one morning by the sound of firecrackers outside. 😂

The apartment is located inside a modern high rise building (with four elevators) in the middle of what appears to be a middle class neighborhood. The building is within walking distance (I estimate 10-15 minutes tops) of the Fuzhou-South railway station. However. When me and my friend arrived there we decided to take a cab due to heavy rain - and we got yelled at because the driver was unhappy about the destination being so close to the railway station We yelled back and the driver apologized. We later realized that it would have been smarter to order a DiDi as cab drivers have to wait in line long time to get a railway customer and it is understandable that they want a customer who wants to go to the city center. Still. He had no right to yell at us. This is what the minimum fee is for. Anyway. It is one of those high rise buildings that is built around a huge mall. Plenty of shops, drug stores, markets, restaurants (outside the mall) are within 5 minute radius. A mall entrance is within 3 minute walking distance. Very very convenient location. Not only so. Every day after 10:00pm there is a night market down the street where you can buy all sorts of delicious snacks even grilled oysters and steak. Me and my friend had no issue locating the apartment because upon arriving at Fuzhou-South we got in touch with the owner. The owner then befriended me on WeChat, sent us the address, pictures of the entrance, description of how to open the main apartment door and the key lockers. Piece of cake. TBH I initially did not understand how to enter the code into the electronic door lock and so the owner came to assist. She was there within minutes after we asked for help. The apartment is basically a bedroom with huge screen, beamer, queensize bed, workplace with sink, water cooker, washing machine, dining table and a nice, big fridge. Naturally you also have your own bathroom with sink, toilet and shower. Everything was very clean and me and my friend were super happy with our choice. I initially thought that the mattress was too firm but then I slept very well on it. You have to take a cab or DiDi to the city center but its not far so it is not expensive. The A/C works very well. The view from the 18th floor is amazing. Would I stay there again? Given the good location, hygiene and price I would absolutely stay there again.

This hotel truly exceeded my expectations! The location is fantastic; you can see the sea right outside the door, and taking a walk with the sea breeze is so relaxing. The service was exceptionally attentive and thoughtful; the staff were warm and attentive, making me feel very welcome. There are tons of food options nearby, so it's convenient to find whatever you want to eat, and the price-performance ratio is excellent. The rooms were fully equipped, clean, and tidy, providing a comfortable and reassuring stay. Overall, a perfect experience, I'll definitely choose this hotel again next time!

First-timers in Xiamen after taking the high speed rail from West Kowloon, the hotel was a short ride away, which was convenient. Please note: the hotel is right next to Mercure in Building B on the 20th floor. We were thrilled it was walking distance to the 8th Street as well as the main pedestrian street. We enjoyed eating in very local restaurants which were also walking distance away. There’s also a luckin coffee next door at a main bus station area. The ferry is across the road. When you take the ferry back from the island, you are right across the road to the hotel. The staff members were very helpful and went out of their way to help us. For example, our food was delivered to Building A and they actively helped us to pick it up and then messaged us the correct address to use. This is a very rare service and we never expected them to help us like that. We liked the room a lot, it had everything you needed in an eco-friendly manner. The views from the lounge area were amazing. We would definitely return to the hotel next time we are in Xiamen. ☀️

I usually do not choose homestay when other modes are available. However in Yunshuiyao homestay is the only choice. Given that 1949 has to preserve the local architecture do not expect 5 star hotel facilities. For all the constraints of a ”min su” the staff do go the distance to ensure they meet the demands of guests. I checked out a happy guest and will recommend 1949 to other travelers.