Three Lanes and Seven Alleys（三坊七巷）

Three Lanes and Seven Alleys [File photo]

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