City Guild：Fuzhou

CONTENT

                                                                                              
1. General introduction

Fuzhou is a unique ancient city. It is so named after a mountain situated in

the north called Mt. Fu. Additionally, many banyans were planted in the Song Dynasty

(960-1279), and now provide shade for the entire city giving it another name - Rong

Cheng (Banyan City). Besides, the city is renowned for both quality and quantity of

hot springs throughout China. The cultured sights of this city are not as overwhelming

as many of the top attractions in China, but the modern infrastructures of supporting

establishments for tourism are complete, and a dazzling array of local dishes and

snacks await your patronage.

The Min river runs across the whole city, and two hills--Yu hill and Wu hill, stand

at the city center. In the city, there are over 50 places of historical interest,

and many hot springs which are suitable for recuperation. Fuzhou is also one of

the birthplaces of many overseas Chinese (about 2.5 million Chinese now live in

over 50 countries in the world. ) The city has rich religious culture with 6 key

Buddhist temples , you can travel there through two touring lines, one is called

Gushan Mountain line, centering around Yongquan Temple, the other is called Mingyuan

line, centering around the West lake.

More information on
www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/fujian/fuzhou/
www.chinahighlights.com/fuzhou/

Location & population

Located in the lower reaches of the Min River, Fuzhou is the capital city of Fujian

Province. Situated in the eastern part of Fujian, it serves as the economy, politics,

culture and transport center of the province. Fuzhou's counties south of the Min

border on Putian, Quanzhou, Sanming and Nanping prefectures.

Its population was 7,115,370 inhabitants as of the 2010 census, of whom 4,408,076

inhabitants are urban representing around 61.95%, while rural population is at

2,707,294 representing around 38.05 percent.

Climate

Fuzhou has a humid subtropical climate influenced by the East Asian Monsoon; the

summers are long, very hot and humid, the winters are short, mild and dry. In

most years torrential rain occurs during the monsoon in the second half of May.

Fuzhou is also liable to typhoons in late summer and early autumn.

The monthly 24-hour average temperature ranges from 10.9 °C (51.6 °F) in January

to 28.9 °C (84.0 °F) in July, while the annual mean is 19.84 °C (67.7 °F).

With monthly percent possible sunshine ranging from 24 percent in March to 54

percent in July, the city receives 1,607 hours of bright sunshine annually.

Economy & industry

Industry in the city is supplied with power by a grid running from the Gutian

hydroelectric scheme in the mountains to the northwest. The city is a center for

industrial chemicals and has food-processing, timber-working, engineering, papermaking,

printing, and textile industries. A small iron and steel plant was built in 1958. In

1984 Fuzhou was designated one of China's "open" cities in the new open-door policy

inviting foreign investments. Handicrafts remain important in the rural areas, and

the city is famous for its lacquer and wood products.

Its GDP was ¥43,615 (c. US$6,240) per capita in 2010, ranked no. 21 among 659

Chinese cities. Fuzhou is undoubtedly the province’s political, economic and

cultural center as well as an industrial center and seaport on the Min River. In

2008, Fuzhou’s GDP amounted to ¥228.4 billion, an increase of 13 percent.

Manufactured products include chemicals, silk and cotton textiles, iron and steel,

and processed food. Among Fuzhou's exports are fine lacquerware and handcrafted

fans and umbrellas. The city's trade is mainly with Chinese coastal ports. Its

exports of timber, food products, and paper move through the harbor at Guantou

located about 50 kilometers (31 mi) downstream.

As one of the first five trading ports opening up in modern history, Fuzhou is

a cradle of Chinese modern navy, and one of the origins of Chinese modern industry

and technology. With its regional advantages as a coastal city, Fuzhou is developing

rapidly with great achievements in economy, technology, high technology, electronic

information and port business. Enjoy preferable policies and great support by the

government, the city is blooming in an all-round way especially after the reform

and opening up in 1978. Today, it has become one of the capital cities in China

with highest speed in economy development, which also prosperous in all fields of

science, technology, education, environment and urban construction. It is features

with graceful sceneries, evergreen trees, well-preserved historical sites and

profound cultural deposits. No wonder the city is given many times for all kinds

of honorary titles, such as National Sanitation City, National Garden City, Model

City for Environment Protection, National Civilized City, National Science and

Technology Progress Advanced City, etc.

2. Transportation

Air
The city is served by two airports: Fuzhou Changle International Airport and Fuzhou

Yixu Airport (old airfield). The former is its main international airport and an

air-hub in the southeast China, while the latter was turned into a PLA airbase

after 1997.



Railways
Fuzhou is a railway hub in northern Fujian. The Wenzhou–Fuzhou and Fuzhou–Xiamen

Railways form part of the Southeast Coast High-Speed Rail Corridor and can accommodate

high-speed trains at speeds of up to 250 km/h (155 mph). The Nanping–Fuzhou Railway

and Xiangtang–Putian Railway provide rail access inland. The latter line can carry

trains at speeds of 200 km/h (124 mph). The regional Fuzhou-Mawei Railway runs from

the city centre to Mawei District. There are also plans for 2 metro lines, with the

first line expected to be completed by late 2015.
The Fuzhou Rail Station is located north of city center, near the North Second Ring

Road. Construction on the Strait Rail Station, also known as Fuzhou South Station,

in Cangshan district, a key landmark of the New City development scheme, began in

2007 and was completed in 2010.

3. Education & Health care

International Schools

Fuzhou Lakeside International School
Fuzhou Lakeside International School was established in September 2012 and is the

only international school located in Fuzhou and authorized to accept overseas

students, include those who from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. We provide an

international education with English as its mainstream language from Preschool

to High school. Students who have successfully completed the required credit

units may receive diplomas which are recognized by both China government and

worldwide.
CONTACT  ( http://www.flis.cn/):
4008 - 717 - 555
0591 - 83155555
Email:admissions@flis.cn
 Address：No.90 Bei mengshan Road，GulouDistrict，Fuzhou City

Hospitals
1. Fujian Cancer Hospital
Address:  Fengban Maluding, Fuma Lu, Jin'an District, Fuzhou 
Contact:  0591 366 0063  
Website:  http://www.fjzl.com.cn (Chinese)

2. Fujian Provincial Hospital
Address:  134 Dongjie, Fuzhou 
Contact:  0591 8755 7768  
Website:  http://www.fjsl.com.cn/ (Chinese)

3. Fujian Provincial People's Hospital
Address:  602 817 Zhonglu, Fuzhou 
Contact:  0591 8325 8135  

4. Recreation

Shopping

1. Dongjiekou Shopping District
It’s a major commercial and shopping district of Fuzhou where you can find

Dongjiekou Department Store, Xinhuadu Department Store and Ruimin Department Store.

The streets are lined with stores of all sizes, many of which offer good bargains.

Book lovers can visit Xinhua Book Store for a wide variety of Chinese and English

books.Wuyi Road shopping District
This is a popular shopping district consisting of Xianshi Department Store, Fuzhou

Shopping Center, Federal Department Store, Wal-Mart and many other retailers.Bayiqi

Road Shopping District
Dating back to the Tang Dynasty, Bayiqi Road is Fuzhou's oldest shopping district.

Its current name (literally meaning ''8,1,7'') was given to commemorate Fuzhou's

Liberation Day-August 17, 1949. This comprehensive shopping district consists of

South Street Shopping Street, Jintai Road Fine Clothing Street, Zhizifang Walking

Street, Nanhou Street and Xianta Women's Street.Taijiang Road Shopping District
It sells medium and small-sized commodities (building supplies, clothing, electronic

appliances) and features a special flea market.

2. Zhongzhou Island Shopping District
Zhongzhou Island is located between Wanshou Bridge and Jiangnan Bridge. Today, the

island is a commercial center resembling Shanghai's Bund. It is the home of the

largest small commodity wholesale market, Haixia International Clothing Wholesale

Market. This is a great place for you to find women's fashion brands, souvenirs,

bags, hardware supplies and daily-use merchandise.

3. Zhongting Commercial Street
Auchan Supermarket, Hong Kong Huanyu Department Store, Korea Commodity City and

China Food City are just a few of the well known retailers in this commercial

center. Clothing, furniture, electronics and textiles are all sold here. This

street is adorned into an Architectural European style.

4. Chating Commercial Street
Chating Commercial Street is a 6,000-meter long street stretching from the south

of Yangtoukou Bridge to the north of Nanmendou. One of its buildings, Qilou, is a

unique structure that adds to the street's ambiance. The name Qilou literally means

''building riding on top''. The building gives the appearance of riding above a

passageway suspended on pillars. The street's overall building arrangement is a

harmonious fusion of western and Chinese styles. Once a cluster of handicraft

shops selling horn combs, clay figures and lacquer goods, Chating Commercial Street

has now flourished into a fascinating marketplace for all different types of handicrafts.
5. Fuzhou Clothing, Shoes and Hat Market
Address: opposite to Yuanhong City, Taijiang Road, Taijiang District, Fuzhou
Phone: 0591-83281546
Bus: 1, 30, 43 (off at Yuan Hong Cheng)
Hours: 7:00-17:00

6. Antai Center Night Market
Address: Antai Center, North Bayiqi Road, Gulou District, FuzhouSupermarkets in

FuzhouWhat and where to buy: If you want to buy some daily consumer goods, there

are many supermarkets for this purpose.

International chain supermarkets like Metro, and Carrefour have branches in Fuzhou.
1. Metro
Address: 162 Sangao Road, Cangshan District, Fuzhou
Phone: 0591-83448888
2. Carrefour
Address: 90 Middle Fuxin Road, Jin'an District, Fuzhou
Phone: 0591-88058085
3. SAM'S CLUB
Address: 128 West Yangqiao Road, Gulou District, Fuzhou
Phone: 0591-83775620, 800-8581167(free)
4. Yonghui Supermarket
Liming Branch
Address: 436 Middle Xierhuan Road, Fuzhou
Phone: 0591-83777196
Railway Station Branch
Address: 1-3F, Jinhui Bldg., 492 Hualin Road, Jin'an District, Fuzhou
Phone: 0591-87570873

Nightlife
Fuzhou is a modern city in South China and a flourishing entertainment center and

it has developed an entertainment industry with night clubs and sauna etc. line

the busy streets. Besides those common entertainment activities like visiting pubs,

clubs, cafés and teahouses, bathing in a hot spring will be a nice choice in the

night. In addition, the performances in theaters also add more choices to the

nightlife in Fuzhou.These places are massed in the area of Jiangjun Temple, Liuyi

Lu and Dong Jie Kou. The Hot Springs are a feature of Fuzhou, and are scattered

around the Hot Spring Hotel. The recreation programs are elaborately designed each

day to cater to your taste - song and dance shows, instrumental performances,

fashionable dress shows and honorable guests' performances on Friday and Saturday.

Pyramid Music Square, in the parking lot of Fuzhou International Exhibition Center,

offers light music, disco and entertainment shows and also they invite stars from

different regions to give performances every day. Taoyuan Tea House has a high

grade and well served elegant environment. Although there are some wonderful

recreational places for tourists to visit in Fuzhou City, the nightlife there

is not as glamorous and fascinating as the metropolis of Shanghai and Beijing.

Prada Bar
Location: Facing the Main Entrance of Xihu Park (a park located in 70 Hubing Road,

Gulou District 鼓楼区湖滨路70号)
Average price per person: 105 yuan

Shaoyuan Yihao Pub
Address: Baima Road, Gulou District (鼓楼区白马路)

Alun's Story Café & Bar
Address: 75 Wusi Road, Gulou District (鼓楼区五四路75号)
Tel: 0591-8722 0708
Average price per person: 100 yuan

Party Bar
Address: 26 Tonghu Road, Gulou District (鼓楼区通湖路26号)
Tel: 0591-8751 6499

Cuisine
Fuzhou cuisine is most notably one of the four traditional cooking styles of Fujian

cuisine, which in turn is one of the eight Chinese regional cuisines. Dishes are

light but flavorful, with particular emphasis on umami taste, known in Chinese

cooking as xianwei (simplified Chinese:鲜味; traditional Chinese: 鮮味; pinyin:

xiānwèi), as well as retaining the original flavor of the main ingredients instead

of masking them.

In Fuzhou cuisine, the taste is light compared to that of some other Chinese cooking

styles, and often have a mixed sweet and sour taste. Soup, served as an indispensable

dish in meals, is cooked in various ways with local seasonal fresh vegetables and

seafood. Distinctive snack foods are also an important part of Fuzhou culture.
Throughout the year during Chinese national holidays, a variety of different foods

are traditionally served; Red and white rice cakes (年糕) during Chinese New Year,

stuffed yuanxiao (元宵) during the Lantern Festival, zongzi during the Dragon Boat

Festival, and sweet soy bean powder-covered plain yuanxiao during the winter

solstice are just some of the traditional foods enjoyed by the masses of Fuzhou.

Attractions

Sanfang Qixiang (三坊七巷) "Three Lanes and Seven Alleys": A cluster of ancient

residential buildings dating from the late Jin dynasty.)
Lin Zexu Memorial Hall (林则徐纪念馆) (Aomen Rd): West Lake (福州西湖) (An artificial

landscape-style lake built in 282)
Hualin Temple (华林寺) (Built in 964, Song dynasty): Its main hall is known as the

oldest surviving wooden building in south China and was confirmed as an important

heritage site under state protection in 1982.
Dizang Temple (The Temple of Sacrificing Guardian of the Earth, founded in 527)
Xichan Temple (西禅寺) (Founded in 867)
Wu Ta (乌塔) "Black Pagoda" (Originally built in 799, rebuilt in 936)
Bai Ta (白塔) "White Pagoda" (On the top of Mount Yu, originally built in 905, 67 m

in height, collapsed in 1534, rebuilt in 1548, 41 m in height.)Yongquan Temple

(涌泉寺) (Founded in 915, and located on the top of Mount Gu.)
Mount Gu (鼓山), Mount Qi (旗山) (In Nanyu, Minhou County.）
Luoxing Tower (罗星塔) (In Mawei District and built in the Song dynasty. Was called

"China Tower".)
Tanshishan cultural relics (昙石山文化遗址) (In Ganzhe, Minhou County.)
Saint Dominic's Cathedral
Fujian Provincial Museum (福建省博物院) (Near West Lake.)
Wulongjiang Shidi Park (乌龙江湿地公园) (A wetland park. However, the park is in

distress due to ineffective environmental protection and construction.)
Chating Park (茶亭公园), Zuohai Park (左海公园), Minjiang Park (闽江公园) (On the

two banks of the Min River), Pingshan Park (屏山公园), Mount Jinniu Park (金牛山公园)

(Near the Fuzhou West Long-Distance Bus Station), Mount Jinji Park (金鸡山公园),

Fuzhou National Forest Park (福州国家森林公园), Sandiejing Forest Park (三叠井森林公园),

Fuzhou Hot Spring Park (福州温泉公园), Fuzhou Zoo (福州动物园) (This new zoo was built

in 2008 after moving from its old location by West Lake.)