Sanfang Qixiang Scenic Area is located in Gulou District, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, on both east and west sides of Nanhou Street in the downtown area of Fuzhou. As a national 5A-level tourist attraction, the scenic area covers an area of 40.2 hectares, consisting of ten east-west small streets forming a "chessboard-shaped" block branch system. Among them, three on the west side of Nanhou Street are "Three Alleys," and seven on the east side are "Seven Lanes." It is one of the largest and best-preserved ancient residential blocks in southeastern China, known as the "living fossil" of the ancient li-fang system and the "Museum of Ming and Qing Architecture." The courtyards in the alleys are mostly symmetrically distributed along the central axis, with enclosures outside the houses and multi-entry courtyards arranged along the vertical axis inside, presenting a central-axis symmetrical layout that highly embodies Fuzhou's architectural style.
History and Culture
The history of Sanfang Qixiang can be traced back to the Jin Dynasty, was improved during the Tang and Five Dynasties, and reached its peak in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. This area has long been a settlement for high-ranking officials and renowned scholars in Fuzhou. During the late Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China, many figures who had important influences on China's modern history, such as Lin Zexu, Bing Xin, and Lin Juemin, once lived here. Due to factors like wars, Sanfang Qixiang was once damaged. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, multiple protection and renovation activities were carried out. In 2005, the Fuzhou Municipal Government launched another protection project, preserving a large number of ancient buildings and rare old trees. In 2006, Sanfang Qixiang was listed as a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit; in 2009, it won the honorary title of "China's Top Ten Historical and Cultural Streets"; in 2015, it was rated as a national 5A-level scenic area and received the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Conservation Award.
Main Attractions
Yijin Fang
Located on the west side of Nanhou Street, at the northernmost end of the Three Alleys, it is also known as the first alley of the Three Alleys. Opposite to Huang Lane, it runs east-west, starting from Nanhou Street in the east and crossing Tonghu Road to Yiqian Bridge in the west, with a total length of 395 meters and a width of 4 to 5.5 meters. It was formerly called Tongchao Lane, known as Dijin Lane during the Xuanhe period of the Song Dynasty, and was renamed Yijin Lane in the Southern Song Dynasty because Wang Yixiang, the provincial judicial commissioner of Jiangdong, lived here. The alley preserves ancient buildings such as Zheng's Courtyard (Water Pavilion Stage), Ouyang's Courtyard and Flower Hall, and Zheng Pengcheng's Former Residence, as well as rare tree species with a century-old age like tassel, cycas, and magnolia grandiflora.
Wenru Fang
Located south of Yijin Fang and north of Guanglu Fang, in the middle of the Three Alleys, opposite to Anmin Lane. It was once a settlemen for many scholars and literati, where many celebrities lived in history, and the alley retains many ancient buildings of historical and cultural significance.
Guanglu Fang
Specifically located on the south side of the Three Alleys. This area has a profound historical and cultural heritage, with ancient buildings such as Liu's Courtyard. Liu's Courtyard covers an area of about 4,000 square meters and is now the central exhibition hall of the community museum.
Yangqiao Lane
One of the Seven Lanes, located relatively north. The Lin Juemin-Bing Xin Former Residence at No. 17 Yangqiao Road is a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit. This former residence was originally the settlemen of seven families of Lin Juemin's ancestors (including Lin Changmin). Currently, it has two exhibition areas: "Exhibition of Lin Juemin's Deeds" and "Bing Xin and Her Hometown Fuzhou."
Langguan Lane
Located among the Seven Lanes. Yan Fu's Former Residence at No. 20 covers an area of about 600+ square meters and is a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit. The residence is divided into the main house and the flower hall. The main house is a typical Fuzhou ancient residence, while the flower hall is a late Qing to early Republic of China building integrating Chinese and Western styles. The former residence was built during the Tongzhi period of the Qing Dynasty, with a history of more than 140 years.
Ta Xiang (Tower Lane)
One of the Seven Lanes. Ta Xiang has had many stories and legends in history, and its architectural style also reflects the local characteristics of Fuzhou. In the late Qing Dynasty, the Fuzhou Reading Newspaper Society was founded here.
Huang Lane
Xiaohuang Building at No. 36 covers an area of about 3,600+ square meters and is a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit. The courtyard is exquisitely decorated with carved beams and painted rafters, featuring garden scenes such as the Tenghua Yin Pavilion, Xiaocanglang Pavilion, and Xiaobi Corridor. The Fuzhou Taiwan Hall is located at No. 51 Huang Lane, with a total construction area of 1,611 square meters. Its predecessor was the Fuzhou-Taiwan Joint Examination Hall, initiated by Liu Ao, the inspector of Taiwan in the late Qing Dynasty, in 1884. It was a place for Taiwan scholars to stay when coming to Fuzhou for the Fujian provincial examination and the imperial examination in Beijing during the late Qing Dynasty.
Anmin Lane
Opposite to Wenru Fang. Historically, Huang Chao's peasant army came here and posted a notice to pacify the people at the entrance of the lane. It also retains many ancient buildings with traditional Fuzhou styles.
Gong Lane
Most buildings in Gong Lane have high historical and artistic values. Shen Baozhen's Former Residence at No. 26 is one of the oldest ancient dwellings with the highest historical and cultural value in Sanfang Qixiang, and it is also a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit.
Jibi Lane
Xie's Ancestral Hall at No. 60 covers an area of about 1,000 square meters and is a Fujian Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Unit. The back wall is adjacent to Gong Lane, and it is now used as the Fujian Zhuangyuan Mansion Art Museum. In 2009, Fuzhou City renamed it "Jibi Lane" and renovated the damaged ancient buildings on the north side.
Nanhou Street
Starting from Yangqiao Road in the north and reaching Macau Bridge via Jibi Road in the south, with a total length of about 1,000 meters, it is the central axis of Sanfang Qixiang. It has seven lanes on the east side and three alleys on the west side. From the rise of Sanfang Qixiang to the Republic of China, it has always been the main commercial street. At that time, the street was crowded with merchants, and all kinds of daily necessities (36 shops representing various industries) were available, as well as book engraving workshops, second-hand book stalls, and framing shops for cultural people, as well as lantern fairs during the Lantern Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival.
Water Pavilion Stage
Located at No. 4 Yijin Fang, it is a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit. The courtyard was built during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, with a history of more than 400 years. Regular performances such as Min Opera, Chou Singing, Shifan Music, and instrumental music are now staged here. The building complex where the stage is located faces south, all using dougong-style wooden structures, with a total area of 2,675 square meters. The Water Pavilion Stage in the flower hall is the only remaining water pavilion stage in Fuzhou. The pool covers an area of 60 square meters, and the stage on the pool faces north, a single-layer platform covering 30 square meters. The stage is surrounded by water on three sides, with a courtyard in the middle and facing a pavilion, having good sound pickup effects.
Fujian Provincial Folk Custom Museum
Renovated from the Ermei Former Residence, which was announced as a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit in 2006. The museum displays nearly 1,000 pieces of Fujian folk custom cultural relics, with scene-style exhibitions restoring the life scenes of Minnan people in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
Fujian Intangible Cultural Heritage Expo Garden
Located in Ye's Residence, in 2009, the Fujian Provincial People's Government designated Ye's Residence as the permanent exhibition center for Fujian's intangible cultural heritage. It displays more than 1,000 pieces of intangible cultural heritage exhibits and is now a national cultural relic protection unit.
Delicacies
Meat Yan (Wonton)
A characteristic food in Fuzhou, the Meat Yan skin is made from pork and starch, thin and tough, wrapped with delicious meat filling. After cooking, it has a crisp and tender taste and a fresh soup. It can be tasted in many snack shops around Sanfang Qixiang.
Fish Balls
Made with fresh fish as the main ingredient and appropriate starch, the outer skin is elastic, and the inner filling is usually pork, etc. It tastes delicious, and the soup overflows when bitten. There are many shops around the scenic area selling fish balls with different characteristics.
Buddha Jumps Over the Wall
A famous Fujian dish with rich ingredients, including abalone, sea cucumber, fish lips, yak tendon, abalone mushroom, tendons, flower mushrooms, cuttlefish, scallops, quail eggs, etc. It is cooked in a unique way, with a rich soup and mellow taste. Authentic Buddha Jumps Over the Wall can be tasted in some mid-to-high-end Fujian restaurants.
Taro Puree
Made from high-quality taro, steamed and mashed, added with sugar, lard, and other seasonings, it has a delicate taste and sweet flavor. It can be found in dessert shops near Sanfang Qixiang.
Tickets
Free admission. Some attractions charge separately.
Opening Hours
Open all day. The opening hours of charged attractions are generally 8:30 - 21:00, but the specific time may be adjusted due to seasons or special circumstances.
Tour Routes
One-day tour route: Enter the scenic area from Nanhou Street, first visit Yijin Fang to admire ancient buildings such as the Water Pavilion Stage; then go to Wenru Fang to feel the scholarly atmosphere; then visit Liu's Courtyard in Guanglu Fang. After that, go to Langguan Lane to visit Yan Fu's Former Residence, then sequentially tour Ta Xiang, Huang Lane (visit Xiaohuang Building and Fuzhou Taiwan Hall), Anmin Lane, Gong Lane, Jibi Lane. Finally, return to Nanhou Street, stroll through the commercial street, and taste delicious food.
Two-day tour route: On the first day, visit Lin Juemin-Bing Xin's Former Residence in Yangqiao Lane in the morning, then go to Langguan Lane and Ta Xiang. Visit Huang Lane in the afternoon and experience the night view and local nightlife in Sanfang Qixiang at night. On the second day, tour Anmin Lane, Gong Lane, Jibi Lane, then go to Yijin Fang, Wenru Fang, Guanglu Fang to deeply understand the history and culture of each alley, and also visit attractions such as the Fujian Provincial Folk Custom Museum and Fujian Intangible Cultural Heritage Expo Garden.
Transportation
- Bus: There are multiple bus routes to Sanfang Qixiang, such as taking buses No. 1, 2, 8, 11, etc., and getting off at Nanjie Station or Sanfang Qixiang Station.
- Metro: Take Metro Line 1, get off at Dongjiekou Station, exit from B or C, and walk to the scenic area.
- Self-driving: For self-driving tourists, there are parking lots around the scenic area, but parking may be tight during the tourist season. Navigate to Sanfang Qixiang Scenic Area and follow the signs to find a suitable parking spot.
Must-visit Attractions
- Lin Juemin-Bing Xin's Former Residence: A National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit. Through the two exhibition areas of "Exhibition of Lin Juemin's Deeds" and "Bing Xin and Her Hometown Fuzhou", you can understand the relevant history with the help of multimedia audio-visual and physical exhibitions.
- Yan Fu's Former Residence: Covering an area of about 600+ square meters, a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit. The residence is divided into the main house and the flower hall, showing the typical Fuzhou ancient residential style and the architectural characteristics of integrating Chinese and Western styles in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China.
- Water Pavilion Stage: A National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit, built in the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, with a history of more than 400 years. You can enjoy regular performances such as Min Opera and Chou Singing, and feel the unique stage architecture and performance atmosphere.
- Xiaohuang Building: Covering an area of about 3,600+ square meters, a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit. The courtyard is exquisitely decorated with carved beams and painted rafters, and has many characteristic garden scenes.
- Fujian Provincial Folk Custom Museum: Renovated from the Ermei Former Residence, a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit. Through nearly 1,000 pieces of folk custom cultural relics and scene-style exhibitions, it restores the life scenes of Minnan people in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended to spend 1 - 2 days visiting. Spring and autumn are pleasant seasons, the best time to visit. Take sun protection and mosquito prevention measures in summer, and keep warm in winter.
- The scenic area is mainly for walking, so it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes.
- You can hire a scenic area guide or rent a voice guide to better understand the historical and cultural background of the attractions.
- You can taste local characteristic foods, but pay attention to choosing regular and hygienic shops.
- You can buy some local characteristic cultural and creative products as souvenirs.
Notes
- Respect the historical and cultural relics in the scenic area, and do not touch or damage ancient buildings and cultural relics at will.
- Keep quiet and follow the regulations when visiting celebrity former residences and other places.
- There are many tourists in the scenic area, especially during holidays and other tourist seasons. Pay attention to keeping personal belongings.
- Take good care of the environment in the scenic area and do not litter.
- Follow the on-site order when watching performances and other activities.