Get to know Wenzhou
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- Administrative area
- Prefecture-level city · 地级市
- Part of
- Zhejiang
- Chinese name
- 温州市
- Local areas
- 12 local areas
Area & population
- Population · 2020 census
- 9,572,903
- Administrative seat
- Lucheng District
Source: cited geographic source, as of the dates shown.
Archaeological evidence shows that human activity in the area dates back at least 5,000 years. The Ou people, also known as the Ouyue and part of the wider Yue people, established the polity of Dong'ou by at least the fourth century BC and voluntarily surrendered to the Han dynasty of China in 138 BC. The area was successively organised under different administrative names and ranks, including Yongning County from 138, Yongjia Commandery from 323, and Wenzhou Prefecture from 675, later being promoted to Rui'an Fu in 1265 and renamed Wenzhou Circuit in 1276. In the Ming and Qing periods, it was known as Wenzhou Fu, and in 1914 it was designated Ouhai Circuit. Despite repeated changes in administrative status and territorial extent, the seat of Wenzhou prefecture and Yongjia county has remained within the walled city first established in the 4th century, until 1958 when the county seat of Yongjia moved away.
Tourism
Wenzhou’s tourism sector is dominated by the domestic market.
Wenzhou has three national-level scenic areas, namely Yandang Mountains, the Nanxi River, and Baizhangji–Feiyun Lake, with a combined area of 1,637.39 km². It also had eight provincial-level scenic areas, namely Yaoxi, Xianyan, Zeya, Dongtou, Zhailiao Stream, the Nanji Islands, Radon Springs–Jiufeng, and the Maritime–Yucang Mountains, covering a combined area of 254.26 km².
Explore Wenzhou
Core places to explore, with English and Chinese names.
Yandang Mountains 雁荡山
Jiangxin Island 江心屿
Nanxi River (Zhejiang) 楠溪江
Baizhangxia 百丈漈
Wuma Street 五马街
Wenzhou Museum 温州博物馆
Sanyang Wetlands 三垟湿地
Liu Bowen Hometown Scenic Area 刘伯温故里景区
Nanji Islands 南麂列岛
Liu Ji Hometown 刘基故里
Furong Old Village 芙蓉古村
Cangpo Old Village 苍坡古村
Lishui Street 丽水街
Shiwei Rock 石桅岩
Taishun Covered Bridges 泰顺廊桥群
Dongtou Islands Scenic Area 洞头海岛景区
Shengjing Mountain 圣井山
Caocun Town 曹村
Wanyao Old Village 碗窑古村
Yuliao Beach 渔寮沙滩
Wuma Street and Shuomen Ancient Port Area 五马街与朔门古港片区
Lucheng District 鹿城区
Longwan District 龙湾区
Ouhai District 瓯海区
Dongtou District 洞头区
Yongjia County 永嘉县
Pingyang County 平阳县
Cangnan County 苍南县
Wencheng County 文成县
Taishun County 泰顺县
Rui'an 瑞安市
Yueqing 乐清市
Longgang 龙港市
Places to explore around Wenzhou
Rock pinnacles and wooded slopes in the Yandang Mountains of Zhejiang, November 2011.Yandang Mountains雁荡山
The main North Yandang visitor area combines volcanic rock faces, steep pinnacles and waterfalls around an ancient caldera. Lingfeng, Lingyan and Dalongqiu form three distinct scenic sections: changing rock silhouettes, a…
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Jiangxin Island's eastern tower and riverside buildings on the Ou River in Wenzhou, January 2018.Jiangxin Island江心屿
Jiangxin Island divides the Ou River in Wenzhou and is marked by its East and West Pagodas. Their long association with navigation gives the river views a historical purpose beyond scenery. Jiangxin Temple occupies the central…
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A riverbank landscape along the Nanxi River in Yongjia, Zhejiang. Photographed on 19 April 2010.Nanxi River (Zhejiang)楠溪江
The middle Nanxi valley pairs river scenery with villages built around water and local lineage life. Furong preserves Ming-and-Qing-period residences within a layout associated with the seven stars and eight dipper ponds, while…
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Baizhangji waterfall and pool, Wencheng · 文成百丈漈瀑布与水潭 Photograph date recorded by the source: 8 June 2019.Baizhangxia百丈漈
Baizhangji in Wencheng descends through three contrasting waterfall stages within a deep valley. The first is a tall drop, the second combines falling water with an overhanging rock corridor, and the third spreads into a…
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Wuma Street looking east, Wenzhou · 温州五马街东向街景 Photograph date recorded by the source: 21 March 2023, 10:07:04.Wuma Street五马街
Wuma Street is the commercial spine of Wenzhou’s old centre, connecting Jiefang South Road with Chanjie. The bronze Five Horses sculpture gives the street’s name a visible marker, while older shop fronts and adjoining lanes…
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Wenzhou Museum facade and forecourt · 温州博物馆外观 Photograph date recorded by the source: 11 May 2016, 16:14:48.Wenzhou Museum温州博物馆
Wenzhou Museum introduces the Ou region through archaeology, art and natural history. The entrance’s stone-carved banyan tree and the central hall’s mythological bronze reliefs establish a strong visual opening. Collection…
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Water channels and islands at Sanyang Wetlands · 三垟湿地水道与洲渚 Photograph date recorded by the source: Taken on 17 June 2012.Sanyang Wetlands三垟湿地
Sanyang is a water landscape within Wenzhou, where small islands, channels and bridges preserve traces of cultivation and settlement. Ougan citrus groves connect the wetland with local farming, while old banyan trees, pavilions…
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Liu Bowen Hometown Scenic Area · 刘伯温故里景区Liu Bowen Hometown Scenic Area刘伯温故里景区
The Liu Bowen Hometown attraction in Wencheng combines a memorial temple associated with Liu Ji, also known as Liu Bowen, and the Baizhangji waterfall landscape.
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Nanji Islands · 南麂列岛Nanji Islands南麂列岛
The Nanji Islands off Pingyang combine shell-sand beaches and rocky coasts with a protected marine environment rich in shellfish and algae.
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The Yao Pond area within the Hometown of Liu Bowen (Liu Ji) Scenic Area, Wencheng County · 文成县刘基故里景区内的瑶池 Source-recorded photograph date: Taken on 9 November 2003.Liu Ji Hometown刘基故里
Liu Ji's hometown in Wencheng's Nantian area preserves memorials to the late Yuan and early Ming strategist and writer also known as Liu Bowen.
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Furong Old Village · 芙蓉古村Furong Old Village芙蓉古村
Furong is a walled village in Yongjia's Yantou area, where ancestral buildings and a pond-centred landscape stand within a roughly square settlement.
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Traditional tiled-roof houses beside the pond in Cangpo Ancient Village, Yongjia County, Wenzhou · 温州市永嘉县苍坡古村，池塘边的传统瓦顶民居 Source-recorded photograph date: Taken on 9 February 2008.Cangpo Old Village苍坡古村
Cangpo is a Li-clan village in Yongjia whose streets, ponds and enclosure evoke the four traditional tools of Chinese writing.
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The historic covered corridor of Lishui Street beside the Nanxi River, Yongjia County · 永嘉县楠溪江丽水街临江长廊 Source-recorded photograph date: Taken on 23 February 2008.Lishui Street丽水街
Lishui Street is a timber-covered waterside street at the eastern edge of Yantou in Yongjia, with shops facing a long shaded corridor.
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The twin rock pinnacle of Shiweiyan rising above forest, Yongjia County · 永嘉石桅岩，耸立于林木之上的双峰石柱 Source-recorded photograph date: Taken on 3 October 2006.Shiwei Rock石桅岩
Shiweiyan rises abruptly from a stream valley in Yongjia's Hesheng area, beside the gorge scenery known as the Little Three Gorges.
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Taishun Covered Bridges (泰顺廊桥群), Taishun County. Photograph: "Beijian Bridge 027 2019-07".Taishun Covered Bridges泰顺廊桥群
Taishun's covered bridges form a dispersed architectural heritage of timber crossings, including both arch and beam structures.
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Dongtou Islands Scenic Area · 洞头海岛景区Dongtou Islands Scenic Area洞头海岛景区
Dongtou is an island destination southeast of the Ou River mouth, with rocky headlands, beaches and settlements spread across the sea.
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Shengjing Mountain · 圣井山Shengjing Mountain圣井山
Shengjingshan in Rui'an is known for a temple whose stone construction reproduces the forms of traditional timber architecture.
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Caocun Town · 曹村Caocun Town曹村
Caocun is an agricultural town in Rui'an whose visitor landscape brings together rural scenery, learning and local martial traditions.
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Wanyao Old Village · 碗窑古村Wanyao Old Village碗窑古村
Wanyao in Cangnan's Qiaodun area is a former porcelain-making village whose name recalls the bowls and kilns that shaped its economy.
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Yuliao Beach · 渔寮沙滩Yuliao Beach渔寮沙滩
Yuliao Beach is a broad crescent of sand on Cangnan's coast, with hills inland and islands offshore.
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AI illustration · AI 示意图（仅供参考，非该地点实拍）Wuma Street and Shuomen Ancient Port Area五马街与朔门古港片区
Wuma Street and the Shuomen Ancient Port area reveal two aspects of central Wenzhou's history: urban commerce and its connection to maritime trade.
Read the place guide →Local life & food
Wenzhou local specialties
温州市特色美食 · 16 specialties to discover
Wenzhou fish cake 温州鱼饼AI illustration · AI 示意图
The slices are firm and springy rather than flaky like a plain fish fillet. Their mild savory flavor makes them suitable for a starter or noodle accompaniment.
Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Wenzhou stir-fried rice vermicelli 温州炒粉干AI illustration · AI 示意图
Expect dry, springy noodles with savory pan aroma and small contrasts from cabbage, egg, shrimp or other ingredients used.
Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Pounded Fish Soup with Three Shreds 三丝敲鱼AI illustration · AI 示意图（仅供参考，非实拍）
Pounded Fish Soup with Three Shreds (三丝敲鱼) is a traditional dish of Wenzhou (温州). Its three shredded ingredients are chicken breast, ham and shiitake mushrooms, cooked with stock and thin sheets of pounded fish.
Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Wenzhou Fish Balls 温州鱼丸Reference photo of a similar dish · 同类菜品参考照片
Wenzhou Fish Balls (温州鱼丸) are a Wenzhou (温州) snack of hand-worked fish paste poached in seasoned boiling water and served in its own broth.
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Lamp-Shaped Savoury Fritters 灯盏糕
Lamp-Shaped Savoury Fritters (灯盏糕) are a fried snack associated with Wenzhou (温州).
Read the dish guide →.jpg){kind=link}
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Steamed Glutinous Rice 糯米饭
Steamed Glutinous Rice (糯米饭) in Wenzhou (温州) is a breakfast bowl of freshly steamed glutinous rice with a minced-pork and mushroom gravy poured over it, finished with crushed fried dough sticks (油条, youtiao) and chopped spring onion.
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Airen Spongy Rice Cake 矮人松糕AI illustration · AI 示意图（仅供参考，非实拍）
Airen Spongy Rice Cake (矮人松糕) is a steamed cake of glutinous rice flour, diced pork fat, osmanthus and sugar from the city of Wenzhou (温州), Zhejiang.
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Raw Marinated Crab 江蟹生AI illustration · AI 示意图（仅供参考，非实拍）
Raw Marinated Crab (江蟹生) is a traditional Wenzhou (温州) cold dish made from chopped, uncooked crab. The Wenzhou Tourism Bureau (温州市旅游局) describes it as an everyday accompaniment to drinks at home and a cold plate at banquets.
Read the dish guide →All dish names · 全部菜名 (16)
- Wenzhou fish cake · 温州鱼饼
- Wenzhou stir-fried rice vermicelli · 温州炒粉干
- Pounded Fish Soup with Three Shreds · 三丝敲鱼
- Wenzhou Fish Balls · 温州鱼丸
- Lamp-Shaped Savoury Fritters · 灯盏糕
- Steamed Glutinous Rice · 糯米饭
- Airen Spongy Rice Cake · 矮人松糕
- Raw Marinated Crab · 江蟹生
- Duck Tongues · 鸭舌
- Fish Cake · 鱼饼
- Pork Offal Rice Noodle Soup · 猪脏粉
- Twice-Steamed Rice Cake · 双炊糕
- Rui'an Cold Lamb Platter · 瑞安扎羊
- Cangnan Pounded-Pork Wrapper Wontons · 苍南肉燕
- Nanxi River Wheat Flatbread · 楠溪江麦饼
- Pingyang Stir-Fried Rice Noodles · 平阳炒粉干
More dishes from across Zhejiang are in the Zhejiang food guide.
Counties & districts in Wenzhou
12 areas belong directly to Wenzhou.
12 areas
Lucheng District 鹿城区
Lucheng District is a district of the city of Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, China. It is the central district and government seat of Wenzhou.
Explore the area →DistrictLongwan District 龙湾区
Longwan District (simplified Chinese: 龙湾区; traditional Chinese: 龍灣區; pinyin: Lóngwān Qū) is an outlying district of the city of Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, China.
Explore the area →DistrictOuhai District 瓯海区
Ouhai District (simplified Chinese: 瓯海区; traditional Chinese: 甌海區; pinyin: Ōuhǎi Qū) is a district of Wenzhou, Zhejiang. It is an outlying district of Wenzhou urban area (温州市区; 溫州市區).
Explore the area →DistrictDongtou District 洞头区
Dongtou District (simplified Chinese: 洞头区; traditional Chinese: 洞頭區; pinyin: Dòngtóu Qū) is a district consisting of 168 islands in the East China Sea, and is under the jurisdiction of prefecture-level city…
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Yongjia County 永嘉县
Yongjia County (simplified Chinese: 永嘉县; traditional Chinese: 永嘉縣; pinyin: Yǒngjiā Xiàn; Wenzhou dialect: yon2ko1/ yu3 ion ko) is a county in Wenzhou in the southeast of Zhejiang province, People's Republic…
Explore the area →CountyPingyang County 平阳县
Pingyang County (simplified Chinese: 平阳县; traditional Chinese: 平陽縣; pinyin: Píngyáng Xiàn, Wenzhounese:ben yi) is a county in the prefecture-level city of Wenzhou, located along the southern coast of Zhejiang…
Explore the area →CountyCangnan County 苍南县
Cangnan County (simplified Chinese: 苍南县; traditional Chinese: 蒼南縣; pinyin: Cāngnán Xiàn ) is a county in the prefecture-level city of Wenzhou in southern Zhejiang, China. The county government is in Lingxi.
Explore the area →CountyWencheng County 文成县
Wencheng (simplified Chinese: 文成县; traditional Chinese: 文成縣; pinyin: Wénchéng Xiàn) is one of the five counties in the prefecture-level city of Wenzhou, in southern Zhejiang province, with a population of…
Explore the area →CountyTaishun County 泰顺县
Taishun County is a county in the prefecture-level city of Wenzhou, in the southern part of Zhejiang province, China, bordering Fujian province to the southeast, south, and west.
Explore the area →County-level cityRui'an 瑞安市
Rui'an is a county-level city under the jurisdiction of Wenzhou prefecture, Zhejiang province, China. It has a population of 1,125,000 people and covers a land area of 1,271 km² (491 sq mi), 3,037 km² (1,173…
Explore the area →County-level cityYueqing 乐清市
Yueqing is a county-level city under the administration of Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, in eastern China. It lies on the coast of the East China Sea, by the Yueqing Bay.
Explore the area →County-level cityLonggang 龙港市
Longgang is a county-level city of Zhejiang, China. As of 2018, its population was 378,000, spread across 183.99 km² (71.04 sq mi) divided into 14 neighborhoods, 22 residential areas, and 171 villages.
Explore the area →No areas match this name.
Plan your visit
Getting there
Search for 温州市 in a map app to find stations and your accommodation.
Where to stay →Build your route
Yandang Mountains and Jiangxin Island are about 55 km apart in a straight line. The linked place guides have entrance and visit details.
Continue with Zhejiang →More in Zhejiang
Sources & geographic information
Administrative names and parent areas: Official geographic directory · Reference date 2026-09-06.
Background text adapted from Wenzhou — Wikipedia contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been shortened and reorganized; source revision 1373421657.
Photo: Yandang Mountains · Glasreifen · CC BY-SA 4.0. Proportionally resized and converted to WebP without cropping, retouching or changing the photographed subject.
Photo: Jiangxin Island · Popolon · CC BY-SA 4.0. Proportionally resized and converted to WebP without cropping, retouching or changing the photographed subject.
Photo: Nanxi River (Zhejiang) · rheins · CC BY 3.0. Proportionally resized and converted to WebP without cropping, retouching or changing the photographed subject.
Photo: Baizhangxia · 黑揍红 · 黑揍红 — Baizhangji_waterfall_02.jpg — CC BY 2.5 · CC BY 2.5. Full frame retained; proportionally resized and converted to WebP. No retouching or changes to the photographed subject. Card displays may crop the view.
Photo: Wuma Street · User:CatOnMars · User:CatOnMars — Wumajie_20230321_100704.jpg — CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0. Full frame retained; proportionally resized and converted to WebP. No retouching or changes to the photographed subject. Card displays may crop the view.
Photo: Wenzhou Museum · Gmbsfd · Gmbsfd — Wenzhou_Museum_2016.5.11.jpg — CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0. Full frame retained; proportionally resized and converted to WebP. No retouching or changes to the photographed subject. Card displays may crop the view.
Photo: Sanyang Wetlands · 江上清风1961 · CC BY 3.0. The exact downloaded source bytes are separately retained and hashed. Prepared JPEG is proportionally reduced to a maximum 720-pixel long edge; full frame retained, no subject alteration. Final website rendition: full frame retained, proportionally resized to at most 720 pixels and converted to WebP. No additional retouching or subject alteration. Card displays may crop the view.
Photo: Liu Bowen Hometown Scenic Area · Source photographer · License not provided. EXIF orientation normalized; resized without changing aspect ratio; converted to WebP. No subject edits.
Photo: Nanji Islands · ZeroSimple · CC BY-SA 4.0. EXIF orientation normalized; resized without changing aspect ratio; converted to WebP. No subject edits.
Photo: Liu Ji Hometown · 江上清风1961 · CC BY 3.0. Full frame retained; proportionally resized and converted to WebP. No retouching or changes to the photographed subject. Card displays may crop the view.
Photo: Furong Old Village · Source photographer · License not provided. EXIF orientation normalized; resized without changing aspect ratio; converted to WebP. No subject edits.
Photo: Cangpo Old Village · 江上清风1961 · CC BY 3.0. Full frame retained; proportionally resized and converted to WebP. No retouching or changes to the photographed subject. Card displays may crop the view.
Photo: Lishui Street · 江上清风1961 · CC BY 3.0. Full frame retained; proportionally resized and converted to WebP. No retouching or changes to the photographed subject. Card displays may crop the view.
Photo: Shiwei Rock · 江上清风1961 · CC BY 3.0. Full frame retained; proportionally resized and converted to WebP. No retouching or changes to the photographed subject. Card displays may crop the view.
Photo: Taishun Covered Bridges · 猫猫的日记本 · CC BY-SA 4.0. Full frame retained; EXIF orientation normalized, proportionally resized to at most 800 pixels and converted to WebP. No generated pixels or subject changes. Cards may crop the display.
Photo: Dongtou Islands Scenic Area · Source photographer · License not provided. EXIF orientation normalized; resized without changing aspect ratio; converted to WebP. No subject edits.
Photo: Shengjing Mountain · Source photographer · License not provided. EXIF orientation normalized; resized without changing aspect ratio; converted to WebP. No subject edits.
Photo: Caocun Town · Source photographer · License not provided. EXIF orientation normalized; resized without changing aspect ratio; converted to WebP. No subject edits.
Photo: Wanyao Old Village · Source photographer · License not provided. EXIF orientation normalized; resized without changing aspect ratio; converted to WebP. No subject edits.
Photo: Yuliao Beach · Source photographer · License not provided. EXIF orientation normalized; resized without changing aspect ratio; converted to WebP. No subject edits.
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