Sanfang Qixiang (Three Lanes and Seven Alleys)

Sanfang Qixiang, the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, is a historic district along Nanhou Street in Gulou District, Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian province in China. The district preserves a grid of narrow lanes lined with whitewashed walls, horse-head gables and old residences once occupied by scholars, officials and merchants. Three lanes, Yijin, Wenru and Guanglu, and seven alleys run off the main street, and several houses have been restored as small museums, including former homes linked to the writer Bing Xin and the translator Yan Fu. Entry to walk the streets is free, while some historic houses charge about ¥20 to ¥50. Visitors usually walk Nanhou Street from end to end, enter courtyards to see carved beams and stone door frames, and browse shops selling lacquerware, wood-bead combs, tea and local snacks such as fish balls and oyster omelettes. A relaxed visit takes two to three hours. The district is at its busiest in the late afternoon and evening, when lanterns and lights come on, and at weekends and holidays, when Nanhou Street can be crowded with tour groups; mornings on weekdays are quieter and better for photography of the walls and courtyards. The most convenient access is Metro Line 1 or 2 to Dongjiekou station, from where Nanhou Street begins a short walk away. The area is touristy and shops can be pricey, so comparing prices before buying souvenirs is sensible. Evening visits pair well with a meal in the surrounding lanes and a walk to nearby Wuyi Square.