Three Lanes and Seven Alleys（三坊七巷）

Three Lanes and Seven Alleys [destguides.yoostrip.com]

Located in the downtown area of Fuzhou, Fujian's capital city, the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys (Sanfang-Qixiang) is a street district 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 their 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 existing street district in China bearing this pattern. Running from north to south, the lanes refer to Wenru Lane, Yijin Lane, and Guanglu Lane, whereas the alleys refer to Huang Alley, Gong Alley, Yangqiao Alley, Langguan Alley, Ta Alley, Anmin Alley, and Jipi Alley.

The lanes and alleys were home to hundreds of houses constructed by wealthy people of the Ming and Qing dynasties, and 159 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-which were easy to get because of Fuzhou's coastal location. 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, keeping up the living fashions 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