Fuzhou, a city in south China across the strait from Taiwan, is famous for its sea views, mountains and historical sites. As the capital and one of the largest cities in Fujian Province, Fuzhou is also known as the "city of banyans", because of the numerous Banyan trees planted there.
Fuzhou may not be as popular as the top Chinese tourist cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Qingdao, but it is an ideal tourist destination with mild weather and graceful natural scenery. It features spectacular forest parks, unique gardens, historic temples, ancient-style architecture and old streets.
Below are the top 10 attractions in Fuzhou.
West Lake Park（西湖公园）
Located in northwestern Fuzhou, the West Lake Park is by far the best-preserved classical garden in the city, with a history of more than 1,700 years. It was built in 282 AD during the Western Jin Dynasty (265-316) and became a famous tourist attraction in the end of the Tang Dynasty (618-907).
The park covers a total area of 42.51 hectares, and features pavilions, open halls, houses and towers.
Its graceful natural scenery attracted many painters and writers in ancient times. It is known as "the bright pearl of Fuzhou gardens." Strolling along the walkways in the park, enjoying the calligraphy works or paintings created by the ancient people, taking a rest in a pavilion, or going on a boat on the lake, are all good choices for visitors.
Admission: Free
Qishan Mountain Forest Park（旗山国家森林公园）
The Qishan Mountain Forest Park is located to the west of Fuzhou City, only 20 minutes drive from the city. Covering an area of 3,587 hectares, the mountain boasts fresh air, wild plants and animals, ancient roads, waterfalls, lakes, deep ponds, bridges and caves. It also features granite landscapes. It is a perfect place for summer vacations, exploration, camping, picnics and hiking.
Admission: 20 yuan (US$3.26) / person
Pingtan Island（平潭岛）
Pingtan Island, also known as Haitan Island, is the largest island in Fujian, and the fifth largest in China. It is located on the eastern coast of Fujian Province, 128 kilometers (79.54 miles) from the center of Fuzhou.
The island boasts a beautiful coastal landscape with clean and fresh water and soft and fine sand. It is an area free from pollution. The sea erosion landscapes are a unique feature of the island. Covering an area of 267.13 square kilometers (26,713 hectares), the island has 6 tourist sections and 2 beach resorts. It is an ideal place for a summer vacation.
Xichan Temple（西禅寺）
Xichan Temple is an ancient temple which can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It is located in the west of Fuzhou City, at the foot of the Yi Mountain. It is one of five Buddhist temples in the city.
There are 38 buildings in the temple, including halls, pavilions, houses, towers and a dagoba, as well as lakes, bridges and a garden, covering an area of 7.7 hectares. The temple contains Emperor Kangxi's handwriting and Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) murals. The litchi trees planted in the Song Dynasty (960-1279) are another feature.
Admission: 20 yuan (US$3.26) / person
Yushan Mountain（于山景区）
Located in the center of Fuzhou's downtown area, Yushan Mountain has been an attraction since China's Warring States period (476-221 BC), when the mountain was called Jiuri. Covering an area of 11.9 hectares, it resembles a huge legendary turtle.
As a historical protection zone, Yushan Mountain now has a number of historical sites, including a white tower, temples, platforms, wells, palaces and over 100 stone inscriptions. The 7-story octagonal tower, 45.35 meters high, is the symbol of the city.
Admission: Free
Shizhu Mountain（石竹山）
Shizhu Mountain is located in Honglu County, Fuqing, a county-level city administrated by Fuzhou.
It is a major attraction in Fujian Province and has been officially listed as an intangible cultural heritage.
The name Shizhu, which means stone and bamboo in Chinese, comes from the mountain's bizarre rock formations and beautiful bamboo. Although it is a Taoist Holy Mountain, it is home to all three dominant religions in China: Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. The mountain has 128 scenic spots, featuring temples, caves, stones and towers, among which, Shizhu Temple, Lion Rock and
Ziyun Cave and Ziyun Tower are the most impressive.
Admission: 25 yuan (US$4.08) / person
Qingyun Mountain（青云山）
Located in Linglu Town in Yongtai County, 76 kilometers (47.22 miles) south of Fuzhou city center and 58 kilometers (36.04 miles) north of Putia, Qingyun Mountain is a national-level scenic area boasting towering peaks. It covers a total area of 47 square kilometers (4,700 hectares), with several peaks over 1,000 meters above sea level.
The most unique feature of the mountain is the 12-level stone corridor which was formed naturally, and is 1,028 meters long. Features along the corridor include waterfalls, caves, trees and cliffs, attracting a great number of visitors. Wild plants and animals, such as ferns, gazelles and monkeys can also be found there.
Admission: 25 yuan (US$4.08) / person (summer)
20 yuan (US$3.26) / person (winter)
Gushan Mountain（鼓山）
Located in the eastern suburbs of Fuzhou, about eight kilometers (4.97 miles) from the city center, Gushan Mountain is one of the most famous scenic areas in the city. It was named after a huge rock on the summit which resembles a drum and sounds like a drum in the wind or rain.
Measuring 925 meters high, the mountain has more than 100 scenic spots, including pavilions, temples, caves and peaks. The most impressive feature is the 300 inscriptions on the cliff face left by literati in ancient times, including 109 from the Song Dynasty (960-1279).
Admission: 40 yuan (US$6.53) / person
Fuzhou National Forest Park（福州国家森林公园）
Also known as the Fuzhou Botanical Garden, the Fuzhou National Forest Park is one of the 10 national forest parks in China. It is situated in the north suburb of Fuzhou, 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) from the downtown area.
Surrounded by mountains on three sides and water on one side, the park features Chinese and exotic plants, rare animals, lakes, flowing waterfalls, unusual rocky outcrops and stone carvings. The area is divided into six sections: the bamboo section, trees section, cultural landscape section, dragon pool section, forest museum and bird forest.
Admission: Free
Three Lanes and Seven Alleys（三坊七巷）
Located in the downtown area of Fuzhou, the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys (Sanfang-Qixiang) is a district of streets featuring a cluster of ancient residential buildings and is the largest well-preserved historical heritage site in China, covering an area of 40 hectares.
With the Southern Street acting as the central axis, the original three lanes were in the west and the seven alleys are in the east. The layout dates back to the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, almost 1,000 years ago. The street is unique as it is the only district in China with this pattern..
The lanes and alleys contain hundreds of houses constructed by wealthy people in the Ming and Qing dynasties, and 159 of the buildings remain well-preserved to this day. As a result, the district has been nicknamed "an architectural museum of the Ming and Qing dynasties." The houses were built using huge old bricks and they carry seashell decorations. The ornaments, wood carvings and stone carvings all testify to the past glory of the area and its buildings.
The area has been home to many famous people, including politicians, military leaders, writers and poets. Some of their descendants still reside there today, continuing in the habits of their ancestors.
Jiqi Alley, Yangqiao Alley and Guanglu Lane have now been converted into driveways. Only two lanes and five alleys remain.
Admission: Free
Source: china.org by xu lin
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