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Capital of Fujian, China
Photo: Lennartbj, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Fuzhou (福州; Hók-ciŭ in Fuzhou dialect, Fúzhōu in Mandarin) is the capital of Fujian Province in China. An older romanisation is "Foochow". Population is about 4.4 million in the city, 7.1 million for the whole prefecture.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
三坊七巷
This historic district in the heart of the city is one of the largest historic downtown areas in China, boasting about 268 ancient residences dating from Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). Most of these residences feature the typical Foochow architectural style, which can only be found in the Eastern and Northeastern part of Fujian. The area was extensively restored (rebuilt) around 2007. Ten of the finest residences require admission fees of ¥15 or ¥20 per person. A combo admission ticket including all ten is available for ¥120 (valid for 2 days). Many of the residences in the area are private homes, so tourists need permission from the residents to enter them.
中洲岛
In 2003, the city government together with foreign investors constructed a "fairytale island" with European architecture on Zhongzhou Island. The project was a failure since no shops and restaurants moved in, and has been turned into a wholesale market since 2006. The entire island is brightly illuminated at night and a very beautiful sight of traditional architecture, with the contrast of modern skyscapers in the background. This island is also featured on the banner of this page. Not worth visiting, just a good photo spot.
烟台山
The former Western nations trading area of fuzhou. Several buildings and the general layout remain. The lower part is now shops, cafes and restaurants.
上下杭
Shangxiahang is a historic commercial district about 5 kilometers south of the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys. The area first emerged as a commercial center in the 11th century, but it was during the late 19th and early 20th centuries that Shangxiahang witnessed the peak of its prosperity, and most of the historical buildings date from that time. Some of the highlights include the Fuzhou Chamber of Commerce, the Gutian Guildhouse, and the Caifeng Villa.
福州文庙
This is the oldest Confucius Temple in Fujian Province. It was first built during the Tang Dynasty but destroyed three times due to fires. The current structures date from the Qing Dynasty. In the side buildings, there are exhibitions about China’s imperial examination system.
华林寺
Hualin Temple is a Buddhist temple in downtown Fuzhou, which functions as a small museum and no longer provides Buddhist services. Built in 964 AD and survived over 10 centuries, this is the oldest wood architecture extant in South China (south of Yangtze River). The temple has a typical Tang dynasty style with simplicity and elegance. Despite its great historic and architectural importance, the site is rarely visited, but it is truly a hidden treasure for serious lovers of ancient Chinese architecture.
Less heavily trafficked than Gu Mountain. After the grueling top section, you will be rewarded by some genuinely beautiful hospitality and refreshing tea in a cave! Magic. Plus some great views over the city.
福道 (Fudao)
Fudao is an elevated urban forest trail on metal bridges within Fuzhou city. With a total length of 19 km and an east-west extension of 6km, it crosses Jinniu Mountain. There are several entrances to the trail: No. 1 entrance (福道-1号入口) is the eastern end near West Lake, go to Shanhaiguan (山海观) bus stop. No. 3 entrance (福道-3号入口) is in the north, get off at Meifenglu bus stop (梅峰路站). No. 10 entrance (福道-10号入口) in the west near Min river and Hongshanqiaoxiaoqu (洪山桥小区) bus stop.
鼓山, Gu Shan; lit.: Drum Mountain
A Taoist temple houses nationally important archives written in monks' blood as well as superb veggie restaurant. It is a 1,900-meter climb, or a 20-minute cable car journey to the top. Take bus 303 from the city to the start of the tourist cable car (鼓山旅游索道).
旗山, Qi Shan, 旗山国家森林公园 Qi Shan National Forest Park
A forest park with big, waterfalls and stunning views over receding mountain ranges from a vertigo-inducing suspension bridge. All this and monkeys to feed.
西湖公园, Xihu Gongyuan
Attractive urban lake in the center of Fuzhou. Rent paddle or electric boats and explore the lake. Walk over the arching footbridge to the Fuzhou Science Museum, a small but nice museum featuring dinosaurs. Or walk around the lake; it is surrounded by sidewalks and a boardwalk. They also have some pandas in an enclosure where you can see them. There is also an area with some fine bonsai.
乌山 Wu Shan, literally "Black Hill"
This is near Yu Shan, and is the location of the black pagoda. There are many gazebos and stone-carved calligraphy by various notable people, one of which was written by Emperor Kangxi when he visited. The hill can be reached on the road to the left of the internationally well known brands of luxury shops.
五一广场, Wuyi Guangchang
A central square with a huge statue of Mao. Visit at dawn or dusk to watch the ceremonial raising or lowering of the flag by highly trained and immaculate soldiers; Fuzhou is the only city other than Beijing that maintains this state-sanctioned ritual. Or visit at 06:00-08:00 or later on weekends to watch at least half a dozen styles of martial arts, both armed and unarmed, being practiced. The founder of Uechi-ryu karate, Uechi Kanbun, spent 13 years in Fuzhou, from 1897 to 1910. There are a group on the East side of the park who say their style is what he studied.
于山, Yu Shan
Overlooking the main square, a short walk to the hilltop which houses a pretty average temple. However, on the way up there is plenty of entertainment in the form of musicians and singers who congregate here to practice. The White Pagoda is also accessed by the same road behind Mao Tse Dong's statue and worth a look. There are several very good arts and crafts shops at the base of the hill. Haggle for all you are worth to obtain good prices. There is also an excellent Xinjiang restaurant near the top of the road up the hill.
榕城广场, Rongcheng Guang Chan
An abandoned shopping plaza by day, Rongcheng Plaza turns into an invariable lively hub of Western Fuzhou at night. Elderly residents of West Fuzhou use the plaza as a space for square dancing, partner dancing and conversing. Kids run around playing. Many of the stores there market clothing for kids, and the restaurants tend to be mid-range. It is worth visiting if you are interested in seeing authentic Fuzhou nightlife among older generations.
江心公园, Jiangxin Gongyuan
Jiangxin Gongyuan is a beautiful small park on a small island. The view is not particularly notable but the community that exists on the island is worth a visit. There is a small children's book store that requires a child and WeChat to enter. The entire park is accessible only by footbridge from the mainland. Getting here and leaving is a problem due to the lack of parking spaces, and you must leave by walking to a taxi stand. Calling a ride share from the footbridge will result in the pickup point being the parking lot that is a 12 minute walk from the footbridge.
福州国家森林公园, also known as Fuzhou Botanical Garden
福建博物院
A comprehensive museum about the history and culture of Fujian Province. All major signs and some minor ones are translated to English. The history exhibition gives you a good understanding of five millennia of history in Fujian, including wars, migration, arts and trade. Downstairs, there are further exhibitions on Fujian art (sculptures and porcelain) as well as local opera. There might be temporary exhibitions as well, which are usually only in Chinese.
福建博物院-自然馆
The nature branch of Fujian Museum. There are dinosaur skeletons and maps of excavation sites, a very small exhibition about wetlands and a room introducing aquatic life. About half of all signs have English translations. A good place to take kids, adults may not find it very interesting.
福州市博物馆
Lin Zexu (林则徐, 1785—1850) was a Fuzhou native who did brilliantly on the Imperial Examinations and became an official. Lin was appointed as an Imperial Commissioner to clean up the opium trade in Canton, where he seized and burned a large supply of opium. This provoked the First Opium War, which China immediately lost. Lin was blamed for some of this, despite his orders, and exiled to Xinjiang. Later, his reputation was restored and he is now considered a national hero. There are still officials surnamed Lin in Fuzhou, some of whom say they are his descendants.
林则徐纪念馆
A museum about Commissioner Lin who tried to stop the opium trade when he was in charge of Canton (now called Guangzhou), provoking the first Opium War. The museum incorporates Lin's former residence and the Lin Wenzhong Ancestral Hall (Lin Wenzhong is the honorary name given to Lin Zexu after his death).
雨田古代玉器博物馆
Private museum specializing in old jade artifacts.
Fujian Provincial Revolutionary History Memorial Hall, 福建省革命历史纪念馆
Memorial museum dedicated to the history of the Communist Party’s activities in Fujian Province. Visitors are advised to make a booking on WeChat before visiting the museum. The museum’s WeChat ID is fjgmls.
福建省科技馆
Not to be confused with the Fuzhou Science and Technology Museum. Unlike that museum, this one does not require visitors to make a booking before visiting.
福州市美术馆
The art museum is inside the former residence of Huang Peisong. Huang Peisong was a senior government official during the late Qing Dynasty and this was his official residence.
If pool is your game, you would be hard pushed to find better tables anywhere in China than here. Cheap drinks and open very late too.
A motley assortment of nationalities who play at Jinshan Wentizhongxin every Sunday at 09:15. Like football, only funnier!
Great fun for those masochists among us who enjoy being hit by high velocity projectiles in delicate parts of the body. Not to be attempted in summertime!
Freshly renovated pedestrian street, back into time atmosphere, lots of small alleys to stroll by, great for shopping but avoid overpriced restaurants and bars.
Fuzhou is famous for its hotsprings; many hotels have a sauna and spa. They often have three different pools, one hot, one boiling (by western standards), and a normal one. Sauna and Turkish bath used to be available, staff gives you all you need. Most of the saunas have massage center with different services.
吴清源围棋会馆
The board game called Weiqi in Chinese or Go in Japanese and English is quite popular throughout East Asia; there are professional players and the better ones are major celebrities. Wu Qingyuan (吳清源, 1914—2014) is considered by many to be the best player of the 20th century and one of the greatest of all time. He was born in Fuzhou but lived in Japan most of his life and is generally known in the West by the Japanese name Go Seigen. A film biography is The Go Master and the wiki on the game has an online biography. The site has a small museum, some shops and a hall for playing the game.
鱼丸
Fish balls, a Fuzhou delicacy, minced beef and pork inside a fishy flour ball of dough in a thin broth, excellent. Also just called 肉丸 (rou wan) but check they are fish nonetheless.
鯊魚滑
A Geng (thick soup) using shark's meat, it won't have a strong smell
肉燕
A boiled pork dumpling using a local special skin called Yanpi
锅边糊
Large steaming hot soft rice noodles inside soup of rice powder and water, hint of shrimp or oyster, under ¥11 a bowl. Only eaten for breakfast.
海蛎煎饼
A traditional food in Fuzhou Kind like a pancake but with fly oyster and leek in it. Native people usually eat it in breakfast and prepare in various styles so if you do not find the exact name do not be surprised.
佛跳墙
A soup dish that contains abalone, shark fin, Jinhua ham, dried scallops, sea cucumber and numerous other ingredients. The name refers to the idea that it smells good enough to tempt even a vegetarian monk. Due to the amount of premium ingredients and time that goes into making it, it is very expensive and must usually be ordered several days in advance.
葱肉饼
Scallion Pork Pastry are a highly representative traditional snack in Fuzhou, Fujian Province, and are loved by locals and tourists alike. They are typically found at small stalls or long-established shops, and are one of the most representative snacks of Fuzhou's street food culture.
荔枝肉
Litchi Pork (Lizhi Rou) is one of the most iconic dishes of Fuzhou cuisine, a branch of Fujian (Min) cooking. Despite its name, the dish contains no lychees; it is named for the rounded, reddish appearance of the pork pieces, which resemble peeled lychees after cooking.
茉莉花茶
Fuzhou jasmine tea is one of the city’s most famous traditional drinks and a hallmark of Fuzhou (Min) tea culture. Fuzhou is widely regarded as one of the birthplaces and major centers of jasmine tea production in China.
蛎饼
Oyster cakes (Li bing) are a classic Fuzhou street snack, commonly found at roadside stalls and small eateries. The dish is made from fresh oysters mixed with a rice or wheat batter, often flavored with scallions, garlic, and celery.
鼎边糊
Dingbianhu is a traditional Fuzhou breakfast dish known for its distinctive preparation method. A thin rice batter is poured along the edge of a hot pot, where it instantly sets into delicate sheets before being scraped into a light, savory broth.
肉松
Pork floss (Rousong) is a signature food product of Fuzhou and a familiar part of everyday local cuisine. Fuzhou is widely regarded as one of the key centers for traditional pork floss production in China.
达明美食街
A typical Chinese streetfood street with all kind of 小吃 (xiaochi, snacks) such as BBQ skewers, desserts, etc. A popular place for young locals and couples to hang out at night.
好世界
Very expensive if you go upstairs, but stay on the ground floor and eat the dim sum which is cheap (under ¥250/head) and delicious.
Good quality meals in a box and reasonably priced coffee, but the service can sometimes be atrocious. Hit it on a good day, it is great. On a bad day, it is dire.
味千拉面
A great range of noodles and tasty side dishes. Friendly service and pictures in the menu for those who can not read Chinese which is a real Godsend.
Very good Thai food. Featured dish: lemon fish and curry crab.
Likely the best Italian food in Fuzhou. Excellent pizza and pasta. Also, some good fusion Japanese/Italian/Chinese dishes.
Chinese alternative to Pizza Hut, good pizza and cheaper, salads and pasta are ok, too.
Steak house, you choose one steak and can use the salad and dessert buffet.
Italian food, very good quality for Fuzhou standards. They have a set menu for lunch and dinner. Upstairs there is a good Japanese restaurant. Can communicate in English, in which the menu is also written.
behind Grand Ocean Mall
More than a dozen restaurants, mostly upmarket.
Good Italian restaurant, cheaper than Panevino. You can also find some Chinese food among the Italian dishes. ¥150-200. Menu in English.
Japanese food buffet. Free flow of drinks, sushi, sashimi and teppanyaki for ¥150/person. The sashimi used to be served frozen, not so good but sushi is acceptable and teppanyaki is good.
French restaurant in Fuzhou, and perhaps the only one. More than ¥400/person
Another Italian restaurant but not so good, pizzas are small and expensive, salads no good. ¥100 or more per person.
Typical Shanghainese food, menu only in Chinese but with pictures, less than ¥100/person.
Baima Road
Has a host of foreign beers, British, German and Belgian as well as fine wines, a few single malts, and beautiful decor and people. Bit pricey, but worth it for the music and atmosphere. It is a beautifully remodelled warehouse, the sort of design you might expect in a Western city or perhaps Shanghai, but unique in Fuzhou.
Cheap beer, convivial atmosphere, sometimes live music, stays open as long as you are drinking/semi-conscious. The sign says 1-2-3, but Chinese pronounce it "do-re-mi" for reasons that are not at all clear.
A coffee shop managed by a Western resident that overlooks West Lake.
A lively and convivial atmosphere, cheap, cold beer, live music every night.
Cheap beer, waterside tables, live football games on TV. Pushy owner, but easily ignored after a couple of beers!
The most mysterious club in fuzhou with cheap beer and good indie music. An anti-fuzhou look which makes you feel like a traveler lost in an unknown city.
The preferred bar for expats in Fuzhou. Local style, people playing dice and live singers. Few staff speak English, try to get a VIP card from the manager. Main drink is beer but you can order some cocktails.
Similar to prada. Staff dressed in army style clothing. Manager is friendly and speaks a little English
Small bar, live music, cheap beer (¥100 for 10), cocktails (¥25 each) and a relaxed atmosphere. Has a country music theme. Great place to go to enjoy something different from the usual fuzhou bar. Couches for free
喜福食舍
Maybe the only 'speakeasy' bar in Fuzhou, mimicking the illegal establishments during Prohibition in the US. The bar is hidden behind a noodle shop (thus the Chinese name 喜福食舍 meaning Lucky Food House). Enter the noodle shop and go through a concealed door in the left-most shelf on the wall. The bar offers an upper-class atmosphere with dimmed lights and not too loud music. In addition to a large number of imported whiskys and gins, this place is known for special cocktails infused with traditional Chinese medicine.
锦江之星（福州火车站店）
Located at the intersection of Qinyuan Road and Hualin Road, the Jinjiang Inn's full name tells you all you really need to know-the Jinjiang Inn (Fuzhou Railway Station) is adjacent to Fuzhou bus station. (The full name in Mandarin: Jinjiang Zhixing Fuzhou Huochenzhan Dian). The North Long-distance Bus Station is also within a short walking distance from the hotel.
福州华林大饭店
The Hualin Hotel (Hualin Dafandian) is within easy reach of provincial government buildings, Wenquan Park and the commercial district. This Fuzhou hotel offers Chinese buffet breakfast, 24-hour access to natural hot springs and free broadband internet.
海云酒店(三坊七巷南门兜地铁站店)
A cheap hotel with rooms with private bathrooms near very close to the city center of Fuzhou, walking distance to some scenic spots and direct access to a subway station. Not a nice place by all means, but clean enough for a night or two.
聚春园大酒店
Very central for shopping and such. Has a well-reputed Chinese buffet, a KFC and a UBC coffee shop.
平潭温德姆酒店
西湖大酒店
Ask for a room with view of West Lake. This was Fuzhou's first five star hotel, now past its prime. Still a lovely location, though.
世纪金源大饭店, lit.: Golden Resources Hotel
Good Macau restaurant on ground floor.
香格里拉大酒店
5-star luxury. Try the burger in the lobby if you are tired of Chinese food. Also has a great and (by five-star standards) inexpensive coffee bar with free internet access.
Don't be fooled by the name - this is not the HoJos you are accustomed to in the US. Very classy hotel with a good western restaurant on the ground floor and an excellent Japanese restaurant on the second floor.
Nice western hotel with soft beds in a good location. Half block to Panevino's (Italian restaurant) and Hot Springs Park.
福州万达威斯汀大酒店
The 5sense Restaurant has high level Chinese cuisine with imported seafood and meat and western touch. Live music in the lobby bar in the evening.
寿山石
A unique variety of alabaster found only in Shou Shan (寿山) (about 40km from Fuzhou) used to make name chops and all types of beautiful carving.
漆器
Especially the Fujian bodiless lacquerware (脱胎漆器), considered one of the three treasures of Chinese arts and crafts. It is lightweight, durable, and often lovely. There is a factory on Wuyi Road (五一路).
Hundreds of little shops plenty of fake iPhones and similar. Bargaining is recommended, but the first price is not as far off the real price as in Shanghai. There are also some big stores with real stuff.
Baolong
It used to be the highlight mall of Fuzhou, with more than 300 shops and a cinema, but has become considerably less attractive than it was with the construction of several new malls in the region. It has attempted to revitalize itself with a significant new extension building with a department store. Premium brands are in first floor of the main building and have direct access to the street, or in the extension building. Smaller shops are receiving virtually no business after the advent of online shopping, and will likely be quite aggressive in drawing you in. Most of the smaller shops resell fake items and Chinese low-cost brands from Taobao or T-Mall, generally at prices higher than what you would find on those websites online. There are many restaurants like McDonald's, KFC and a Jazzy pizza. There are a few small traditional Chinese restaurants, with staff speaking only in Chinese, so it may be difficult to communicate with them. Cinema (last floor) and Carrefour (second floor) are available in the main building. It is located along Ninghua Station on the No. 1 line of the Subway system.
Cangshan Wanda
Considered to be the most popular mall in Western Fuzhou, Wanda Plaza offers a Chinese national-only hotel, premium brands, a Walmart and numerous restaurants (ranging from high-end to fast-food such as KFC and Starbucks to budget hole-in-the-walls). The mall is separated into a street portion and covered building portion. The hotel and Walmart are at the south end of the mall. The street portion offers no protection from the rain and features numerous restaurants, bubble tea shops (at least 20), coffee shops, fast-food, bulk grocery stores and small tech plazas. The covered building portion houses all the premium and Western brands, Walmart, as well as a not-particularly-noteworthy department store. The Walmart is notoriously staffed with rude and impolite employees, and you should always watch your possessions as people do steal there (don't use the self checkout without a mobile wallet). Getting here is usually fairly easy as your taxi driver will select a location to drop you off, but leaving can be problematic as much of the South road is a highway with only 1 taxi stand near the end by the Starbucks (hidden behind a bush on the highway). Therefore, you should hail a cab or Didi from the North road that borders a residential neighborhood, ideally crossing into the neighbourhood if you are able.
By bus
By train
There are two railway stations in Fuzhou. The (old) Fuzhou Railway Station in the northeast of the city (the northern edge of the city center).
By bus
Buses are often crowded, but run often and more-or-less everywhere for ¥1. Most are air conditioned.
By Metro
Fuzhou has opened several metro lines, including lines , , , and , and the Binhai Express Line. Another two lines are under construction, and several more are planned.
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Fuzhou (Changle) · International · FOC
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