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5 Days in Putian

Five days adds the South Shaolin site in the wooded hills and the Jiuli Lake waterfalls out in Xianyou county to Meizhou Island, Guanghua Temple and the old-town lanes.

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Best time: April-May and October-November, outside the July-September typhoon peakBudget: mid-range

Quick Answer

Is 5 days enough for Putian?

5 days is the sweet spot for Putian: enough time for the must-sees plus one day trip or food/rest day.

Source: NihaoVisit Putian guide

5-day Putian itinerary at a glance

Use our full Putian travel guide as the base and adapt it to 5 days. Keep the city's three signature attractions as the backbone; fill the rest with neighborhood walks, food markets, and an easy day trip.

Meizhou Island and the Mazu ancestral templeGuanghua Temple and its Song pagodaSouth Shaolin siteJiuli Lake waterfallsXinghuafu historic streets

Day 1

Arrival and Xinghuafu Lanes

Putian station sits on the coastal HSR opened in 2023 (about 30 minutes from Fuzhou at 350 km/h); ease in with the Xinghuafu lanes, the 983 Gujiao Tower and a braised-noodle dinner.

putian xinghuafu old streets
putian gujiao tower

Day 2

Meizhou Island - Mazu Homeland

The Wenjia wharf ferry takes about 20 minutes to the 14.35-sq-km island; the ancestral temple was founded in 987, the giant stone Mazu stands 14.35 m, and the belief customs entered UNESCO's list in 2009.

putian meizhou island
putian mazu ancestral temple

Day 3

Guanghua Temple and Riverside

Founded in 558, Guanghua Temple keeps its five-storey 1165 stone pagoda of about 30 m; pair it with Shouxi park and the Song-era bridge over the creek.

putian guanghua temple
putian shouxi park

Day 4

South Shaolin and Jiulong Valley

Excavations in the early 1990s identified the Linquan monastery foundations on Jiulian Mountain, some 15 km northwest of downtown; add the forest gullies of Jiulong Valley and a country-lunch afternoon.

putian south shaolin site
putian jiulong valley

Day 5

Jiuli Lake and Departure

An honest county day - Jiuli Lake lies about 60 km west in Xianyou, where nine tiers of falls inspired a diary by the Ming traveller Xu Xiake; return for an evening HSR out of Putian.

putian jiuli lake

Budget for 5 days in Putian

Tier	Per day	5 days total
Backpacker	USD $50–$80	USD $250–$400
Mid-range	USD $100–$200	USD $500–$1,000
Luxury	USD $300+	USD $1,500+

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Frequently asked questions

What is the daily budget for Putian?

Budget travelers: USD $50–$80/day. Mid-range: $100–$200/day. Luxury: $300+/day. These cover hotel, three meals, transit, and one paid attraction per day.

Do I need a visa to visit Putian?

It depends on your passport — see our <a href="/china-visa-2026/">China visa guide</a> for the latest country-by-country list. Most Western passport holders can enter visa-free for 30 days as of 2026.

How do I get from the airport to the center of Putian?

Putian's main airport connects to the city center via airport bus, taxi, or metro where available. See the airport transfer section of our Putian guide.

Can I use 5 days for both Putian and a side trip?

Tight. With only 5 days, focus on Putian proper; save side trips for a future trip.

Is Putian safe for tourists?

Yes. Putian has very low violent crime rates and is widely considered safe for foreign tourists. Standard petty-theft precautions apply. See our <a href="/is-china-safe-2026/">is China safe</a> page.