On the second day of our Fuzhou trip, we arranged to stroll around the popular "Shangxia Hang Historical and Cultural District". Originally thought it was just a regular old street, but after arriving, we found it has more character than imagined!
Shangxia Hang not only preserves many intact ancient street buildings, but also integrates many wenqing shops, cafes, and specialty foods. It's perfect for a half-day to full-day leisurely walk. The atmosphere is completely different during the day and at night. Daytime is great for slow photography and strolling, while at night after the lights come on, it adds a retro romantic feel. No wonder it has become one of Fuzhou's popular check-in spots.
Plus, there are really plenty of delicious foods here. We ate from desserts all the way to main courses and were completely satisfied!
Shangxia Hang is located in Taijiang District, Fuzhou City, composed of the areas along Shanghang Road and Xiahang Road. It's actually not far from popular attractions in downtown Fuzhou, and convenient by either subway or bus:
By subway:
Take Metro Line 1 to "Dadao Station", exit from Exit C, and it's about a 7-minute walk to the district.
By bus:
You can take bus routes 10, 15, or 320 to "Zhongting Street", "Cultural Palace", or "Xuejun Road Station" and get off, then walk about 100 meters to arrive.
This time we took a taxi directly from Sofis Pingshan Hotel. Taxi fares in Fuzhou are inexpensive, making travel quite convenient and fast.
📍Attraction Info｜Shangxia Hang Historical and Cultural District
Address: Shanghang Road and Xiahang Road area, Taijiang District, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, China
Shangxia Hang is also known as "Shuang Hang" and actually has over three to four hundred years of history. In earlier times, this area was once a prosperous commercial center and shipping dock in Fuzhou.
The character "杭" actually evolved from "航" because this area was near waterways in the early days. Ships would dock here to load and unload cargo, gradually forming a lively district and becoming an important commercial settlement in Fuzhou.
Today's Shangxia Hang preserves many old buildings blending Chinese and Western styles. Walking through the streets, you can see Minnan-style architecture fused with Western building elements, which is very distinctive. Although renovated, it still retains the historical feel of the old street.
There are also many small bridges, waterfront walkways, and retro street views along the way, which are really photogenic. Many people even dress in qipao or Western attire specifically to take photos here.
The weather was great on the day we visited, and strolling slowly along the streets was very comfortable.
Unlike typical tourist old streets that are crowded, Shangxia Hang has a more relaxed overall atmosphere, perfect for eating while walking. There are many specialty shops, dessert shops, tea shops, and restaurants on both sides of the street, as well as some cultural and creative select shops to browse slowly.
Xi Tang Si Guo Tang
When you're tired from walking or hot from the heat, having a bowl of "Xi Tang Si Guo Tang" is absolutely the happiest thing! Si Guo Tang is a common dessert in the Fujian region, with various toppings, fruits, and sweet soup added. It's icy and refreshing, perfect for summer.
Zhou Mapo
For lunch, we chose "Zhou Mapo". Originally just attracted by the pickled vegetable fish and 2-yuan Mapo Tofu, we didn't expect it to be not only cheap but also surprisingly tasty!
We ordered pickled vegetable fish and Mapo Tofu. The pickled vegetable fish was a large portion for only 69 RMB, very generous, with a sour aroma and a touch of spice, perfect with rice.
The most exaggerated was this 2 RMB Mapo Tofu. We thought it was just a tiny portion for show, but when it arrived, the serving was quite substantial. The tofu was silky and well-flavored, truly a super pleasant surprise at such a low price.
The restaurant also has a self-service bar where you can help yourself to fruits, drinks, sweet soups, and biscuits. The self-service fee is only 3 RMB per person, making the overall value for money really good.
Fuzhou's Shangxia Hang Historical and Cultural District successfully blends centuries of commercial history with modern cultural and creative elements. It's even better for strolling than expected, with deep historical Min merchant guild buildings to appreciate and photograph, as well as incredibly affordable local delicacies like Zhou Mapo to enjoy.
If you're planning a trip to Fuzhou, besides the famous Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, be sure to include Shangxia Hang to experience this beautiful Shuang Hang old street transformed from an old shipping dock!
■ See more Xiamen Fuzhou food, drink, and entertainment: Xiamen Fuzhou 6 Days 5 Nights Independent Travel Lazy Guide: Complete Transportation, Payment, Food, Accommodation, and Attractions Guide!
⚠️Notes:
Everyone's experience and feelings about travel, attractions, or dining are different. This article is only a personal experience sharing. Everyone is welcome to evaluate whether to visit after referencing it.
We recommend checking information before departure to ensure a smoother and more enjoyable dining or itinerary!