Fuzhou Travel Guide
Introduction
Known as one of the biggest exporters of Chinese grown tea for centuries, Fuzhou is more of an industrial city in modern times.
Despite this, it retains much of its old cultural charm, as its Old City, mountains, and museums make this place a solid place to stop on a tour of Southern China.
Come check out our Fuzhou travel guide as we cover the best things to do in Fuzhou, China.
Top Attractions
Start your time in Fuzhou by spending time exploring the exhibits of the Fujian Museum. Containing artifacts recovered in archaeological surveys throughout Fujian Province, there are over 170,000 pieces in this institution’s collection, 30,000 of which are considered to be valuable relics by the Chinese government.
The items here date back as far as the Neolithic Era, and with many of them being in excellent condition, this place is thought to be one of China’s better museums; in short, those looking for a worthwhile experience while travelling Southern China will do well to spend a few hours here.
Those wanting to delve deeper into the history of Fuzhou as a lively port city will want to dedicate the better part of a day towards exploring its old district. Known locally as the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys of Old Fuzhou, travellers walking these streets will find plenty of classic Chinese architecture along these narrow streets, as well as numerous example authentic culture.
Retaining the street patterns when they were laid out in the Tang and Song Dynasties, and much of the buildings constructed in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, you’ll find the homes of many revered poets, intellectuals, and government officials here, as well as restaurants which serve food (like fish balls) which has been enjoyed by residents of this city for aeons.
The following day, make sure Linzexu Memorial Hall is at the top of your list of things to see. Memorialized in the present day as a hero for daring to resist the importation of opium from Western powers, he was instead made into a scapegoat for causing the war that resulted from the hard-line opposition he spearheaded.
In this hall, you’ll find artifacts which tell the story of both his life and the issues that led to him being embroiled in controversy for taking the moral high ground against a powerful drug.
Want to check out a notable religious hall of worship during your visit to Fuzhou? Make room in your travel itinerary for a visit to Xichan Temple. Constructed in the Tang Dynasty, this glorious complex has stood up against numerous wars and cyclones over its 1,100-year history.
Consisting of 36 buildings, a grand garden with a placid lake and plenty of greenery, and being famous for hosting monks from a variety of Southeast Asian countries, it is a place that temple fans can spend hours wandering without losing interest.
Other Attractions
Need a break from the busy city centre of Fuzhou? Head out on a day trip to the lush environs of Fuzhou National Forest Park. Situated at a high elevation, many locals come here to escape the heat and humidity of the city and the subtropical lowlands, as temperatures here are often 3 to 5 degrees Celsius lower than at sea level.
The types of vegetation found here reflects this, as you will find hardier pine and evergreen trees capable of surviving the cool nights which reign here. Take a forest bath on the trails, check out the variety of plants from across the world that can grow in this subtropical highland microclimate, and get in touch with numerous species of birds in this park’s aviary.
If that wasn’t enough, you and other nature lovers will also want to check out Drum Mountain during your visit to Fuzhou. At an elevation of 925 metres above sea level, it is another great spot to go when the heat and humidity of the city become too much to bear, and when you are looking to capture great vistas of the city from above.
However, it is also a cultural landmark, as it is home to Yongquan Temple, a Buddhist hall of worship known for its Ming Dynasty architecture and its collection of Buddhist scriptures. Start from the base and walk the ancient staircase to the temple grounds, as the stone walls along the way are inlaid with inscriptions that have been there for centuries.
Looking for a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of Fuzhou’s city streets? Spend an hour or so in West Lake Park. As the name indicates, a big lake is the centrepiece of this green space, with an island as its centre being its star attraction.
Its flowering shrubs and trees are a big hit in the spring, and with a panda hall where baby pandas are raised, the kids will love this place as well.