Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32October 2016 9 Top 5 spiritual sights XIAN GONG SHAN TEMPLE If you speak Chinese, grab a taxi out to misty Xian Gong mountain in Majia. Either hike or take the cable car to the striking hilltop temple.  LAO ZI STATUE (QINGYUAN PARK) Carved from a single block of stone around 1000 years ago, this giant statue of the philosopher-god Lao Zi rests among shady trails, temples, caves and lakes. KAI YUAN TEMPLE The twin pagodas make this seventh-century temple an icon of Quanzhou. Don’t miss the little museum, home to a vast medieval seagoing junk and a dinky history display. LINGSHAN ISLAMIC CEMETERY According to legend, two of Muhammad’s Companions are buried in these shady gardens. The serene Islamic tombs transport you back to Quanzhou’s multicultural past. GUANDI TEMPLE Dark, smoky and endlessly atmospheric, from the beggars to the incense sellers to the sooty, gory statues, this classic Chinese temple is movie-set perfect, especially by night. insight into the city’s global past. And there are temples. Oh boy, are there temples! There are Shaolin temples, Daoist temples, Confucian temples, even a temple of the long-lost Manichaean religion. Yet Quanzhou has moved with the times. In 1916 Idea Land, an arts and culture district centred on a refurbished factory dating back to (yep!) 1916, anime companies and creative agencies nestle alongside schools that teach traditional Chinese arts from tai chi to flower arranging. At Live Show Wonderland, an entertainment complex out in the Fengze district, there’s everything the Chinese hipster could desire. Cool boutiques, coffee shops and bookstores nestle alongside microbreweries and rock venues. And, right here in China’s city of light, it’s possible to party until dawn. Fast facts FLY China Southern (csair.com) flies from Sydney and Melbourne to Quanzhou (JJN) via Guangzhou. Tiger has direct flights from Singapore. EAT Don’t miss the local oysters at Yu Fan Tian (10 Xi Jie). Try fiery, tangy Xinjiang food at Snow Lotus on “Eat Street” Meishi Jie. Sip oolong in the Gucuo Chafang teahouse behind the Guandi Temple. STAY Save with a modern ensuite room at the Over the Mountain Youth Hostel (yhachina.com), in the heart of 1916 Idea Land. Splurge on the luxurious Wanda Vista (wandahotels.com). DO Explore the alleys around Kaiyuan temple. Walk in Qingyuan Park. Check out the Maritime Museum. Shop for oolong and tea sets. Catch the nightlife at Live Show Wonderland. Take a break at Gucuo Chafang teahouse behind Guandi Temple wendywutours.com.au 1300 815 740 or see your travel agent FROM $7,680pp, twin share 27 DAYS ■ Follow along the original Silk Road ■ See the Flaming Mountains ■ Explore Kashgar’s Sunday Bazaar Departing Syd, Mel, Bne, Adl & Per INCLUSIONS: ■ All flights ■ All accommodation ■ Expert guides ■ All touring ■ Most meals ■ Visas Subject to availability. Not valid in conjunction with other offer. Group tour tipping included and subject to change. Free 2 night stopover in Hong Kong on selected departures