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.

Staying at this homestay, it really feels great! The boss is warm and hospitable, please let us eat his own passion fruit and taste his tea. Breakfast is cheap and affordable. Parking is convenient and free. Below the corridor pavilion of the room is the vegetable plot, standing in front of the window can enjoy the pastoral scenery. It is very close to the scenic Huaiyuan Tulou, just a few minutes walk. You can walk from Yunshuiyao Ancient Town. If you come here again in the future, this homestay is the first choice.

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. 😂

🚧Facilities: The rooms are quite new and spacious, with two floors and a desk, dining table and sofa. The kitchen has a range hood but no stove. 😂The bathroom is a bit small, there is no waterproof mat, and no bath slippers are provided. I hope at least one is provided. There is also no hand soap. The hot water was very hot and the water was very large. 🩹 Hygiene: Fairly clean, except for some shiny stains on the floor under the table and plastic bags under the cupboard, nothing else. 🌲Environment: It is only a 10-minute walk to Guanyinshan Beach and about 3 minutes by car. It is enough to set off around 6 o'clock in the morning to watch the sunrise in late December. There is a Bawangcha Gee, KFC, a Shacha noodle shop and a convenience store downstairs. It is only 5 minutes away from the subway station. ✅Overall, I am quite satisfied. Long-term stay is also available here. It is also good for short-term stay when traveling.

✨ A few friends and I chose this hotel for our trip, and it was unexpectedly satisfying! The room type we booked was originally listed as a family room, and the space was incredibly spacious – absolutely no crowding for four people. The new Chinese-style decor was elegant and grand, and the public areas, courtyard, and reading lounge had a great ambiance. Wandering through the corridors and taking photos turned out beautifully. The room was clean and tidy, and the bedding was comfortable. The most pleasant surprise was the hot spring bath, which was incredibly relaxing after a tiring journey. The bathroom had a wet/dry separation, and the facilities were very well-maintained. The front desk service was warm and attentive, and check-in was efficient. The environment was quiet and serene, making it perfect for a short getaway with friends. Highly recommended for small groups traveling together!

Loved this hotel super close to the beach and incredibly dog friendly. One of the reviews talked about a long uphill walk from the parking to the hotel so we were really worried, but decided to book after all because we really liked the room and the closeness to a quiet beach for my dog. On the day of check in I was contacted by the hotel to confirm that I was checking in, traveling with a dog and needed parking. I was sent a location for the parking to navigate to, which was quite easy. When I struggled with finding a parking spot, the staff came out to help me find one and assist with bringing the suitcases to the hotel, which was a very short 5 minute walk we didn’t have to worry about at all. The staff then waited for us to settle in and showed us the way to the beach. We were impressed by his English and helpful attitude. The room was beautiful with amazing views and the access to the beach was amazing and easy to find.

Facilities: Very complete, the hairdryer was great, and the illuminated makeup mirror by the entrance was a nice touch. Ambiance: Seaview room with excellent natural light. Service: The staff were very accommodating. Cleanliness: Exceptionally clean, the bedding, living room, and bathroom were all bright and spotless.