Fuzhou

1.Sanfang Qixiang (Three Lanes and Seven Alleys)

A well-preserved ancient neighborhood with a history spanning over 1,700 years, known as a “living fossil of China’s lane system”. It was a residential area for Fuzhou’s gentry and elites during the Ming and Qing dynasties, featuring traditional wooden courtyard houses with gray-tiled roofs and delicate wood carvings. Many historical figures, including the patriotic minister Lin Zexu, once lived here. Today, the lanes are lined with time-honored shops selling Fuzhou snacks like fish balls and glutinous rice cakes, and cultural venues displaying Min-style craftsmanship such as Shoushan stone carving and Fuzhou lacquerware. It perfectly integrates historical heritage, folk customs, and modern tourism.

2.Shangxiahang Historical and Cultural District

A former commercial center along the Min River with a history of over 300 years, once bustling with merchants and boats from all over the country. It features a mix of Minnan-style arcaded buildings, courtyard residences, and western-style structures, reflecting Fuzhou’s status as a coastal trade hub. The renovated district now houses cultural and creative workshops, traditional teahouses, and local gourmet restaurants. The night view here is particularly charming, with red lanterns hanging along the streets and the reflection of lights on the water, recreating the prosperity of the old riverside town.

3.Yantai Mountain Park

Perched on a small hill by the Min River estuary, Yantai Mountain has been a strategic coastal defense point since the Ming Dynasty, with ancient beacon towers standing on the mountain. In the late 19th century, it became a concession area, attracting consulates and foreign merchants to build villas and mansions here. Today, the park preserves over 160 well-preserved historical buildings of various styles, including Gothic, Baroque, and colonial architecture. Climbing to the top of the mountain, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Min River flowing into the sea, the modern skyline of Fuzhou, and the distant islands.

4.China Shipping Culture City (Mawei)

The birthplace of China’s modern naval industry and shipbuilding, with a history closely linked to the Westernization Movement in the late Qing Dynasty. It includes the former site of the Fuzhou Naval Academy, which trained many outstanding naval officers in modern China. The exhibition halls here display precious cultural relics such as old warships, naval uniforms, and navigation instruments, telling the story of China’s arduous exploration of maritime power. The scenic area also has a beautiful riverside landscape, with ancient docks and green trees creating a serene atmosphere.

5.Gushan Scenic Area & Yongquan Temple

A famous Buddhist mountain on the outskirts of Fuzhou, known for its lush forests, steep cliffs, and ancient temples. Yongquan Temple, located halfway up the mountain, is one of the four major ancient Buddhist temples in Fujian, founded in the Tang Dynasty. The temple complex includes magnificent halls, pagodas, and stone carvings, with a precious collection of Buddhist scriptures. The “Thousand-Buddha Pagoda” in the temple is an exquisite stone carving art work. Climbing to the top of Gushan, you can overlook the entire city of Fuzhou and the vast Min River.

6.West Lake Park

One of the three major classical gardens in Fuzhou, with a history of over 1,700 years, initially built as a moat and later transformed into a garden for the gentry. It features pavilions, terraces, towers, and corridors scattered among lakes and hills, with willow trees lining the banks and lotus flowers blooming in summer. The park also houses cultural relics such as the Ziyang Academy, which was a place for scholars to study and discuss. It is a peaceful retreat in the bustling city, loved by locals for morning exercises and leisurely walks.

7.Shoushan Stone Cultural Village

Located in the birthplace of China’s famous Shoushan Stone, this village has a long history of stone mining and carving. The village is surrounded by green mountains, with ancient stone mines and workshops. Visitors can watch craftsmen carve Shoushan Stone into exquisite artworks, from small seals to large-scale landscape sculptures. There is also a museum displaying rare Shoushan Stone varieties and precious carved works, introducing the cultural connotation and craftsmanship inheritance of Shoushan Stone carving, a national intangible cultural heritage.