Fuzhou

In the 19th century, Fuzhou was China's largest tea port, and even today Fujian's capital (population 6 million) remains a major manufacturing and export point on the southeastern China coast, home to a large Nike plant. The historic sites are of modest interest, although Fujian was once a major treaty port for Western traders. In the heart of the city, the "Three Lanes and Seven Alleys" is a preserve of 268 old residences from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, many in the local Foochow architectural style. Of note among downtown monuments is the Hualin Temple, built in 964 AD and now a museum. It is China's oldest surviving wooden structure ...

In the 19th century, Fuzhou was China's largest tea port, and even today Fujian's capital (population 6 million) remains a major manufacturing and export point on the southeastern China coast, home to a large Nike plant. The historic sites are of modest interest, although Fujian was once a major treaty port for Western traders. In the heart of the city, the "Three Lanes and Seven Alleys" is a preserve of 268 old residences from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, many in the local Foochow architectural style. Of note among downtown monuments is the Hualin Temple, built in 964 AD and now a museum. It is China's oldest surviving wooden structure south of the Yangzi River. The Yu Shan Scenic Area downtown, fronted by a statue of Chairman Mao (a gathering point for martial arts groups at sunrise) contains sections of the old city wall. Fuzhou was once a hotbed of Western missionary work. Among surviving monuments of the colonial period is Flower Lane Church, a Medthodist mission last rebuilt in 1938. West Lake Park in the northwest is the city's recreational center with a boardwalk, arched causeways, the Fujian Provincial Museum (mummies and dinosaur bones on display), Panda World, and a new zoo (2008). Architecture Street (Nan Hou Jie) is a pedestrian walkway of craft shops and alleys. Hikers are drawn to the nearby Gu, Wu, Qi and Baiyun mountain peaks. Gu Mountain is served by cable car. Fuzhou is a gateway to the ancient coastal city of Quanzhou and the sacred mountain and nature preserve of Wuyi Shan.

About the Expert

J.D. Brown is a contributor to Frommer's China and Frommer's Beijing, coauthor of Frommer's China: The 50 Most Memorable Trips, Berlitz Shanghai, Berlitz Singapore, and other books.