Three Lanes and Seven Alleys complex recreates historical setting and celebrates local culture

Along the central axis of Fuzhou, Fujian province, lies a string of historical and cultural landmarks that showcase the city's past glory. They include Xindian Ancient City Heritage Park, Zhenhai Tower, Hualin Temple and the 40-hectare Sanfang Qixiang ancient building complex.

Also known as Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, the complex dates back to the Jin Dynasty (265-420).In the Tang Dynasty (618-907), its unique layout was basically established, featuring three lanes to the west and seven alleys to the east, all branching from a central street. The neighborhood reached its peak during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.

As a national 5A-level tourist spot, the area today is renowned globally for its well-preserved historical buildings and cultural significance.

There still remains the street layout of Tang and Song (960-1279) dynasties, as well as more than 200 mansions of the Ming and Qing dynasties, earning it the reputation as a "living fossil of ancient urban planning" and a "museum of Ming and Qing buildings".

As the saying goes, "half of China's modern history is in Sanfang Qixiang"; the area was once home to notable figures, such as philosopher Yan Fu (1854-1921), writer Bing Xin (1900-99), and national hero Lin Zexu (1785-1850), who led the fight against British opium traders during the Qing Dynasty.

Protection and restoration

In the late 1980s, many of the houses and streets were in disrepair. Some were even on the verge of being demolished due to a boom in real estate development.

Considering the area's historical and cultural value, the city government launched a protection and restoration program in 1991 to give it a new lease on life. The project has been progressing since then, following the principle of "repairing the old as it was, while preserving the overall layout, styles and landscape".

By utilizing the same materials, forms, techniques and methods as the original, the restoration of Shen Baozhen's former residence was accomplished in 2024.

Born in Fuzhou, Shen was a statesman of the late Qing Dynasty and is known for his great contributions to China's shipbuilding industry and maritime defense. He once lived in the house for 10 years or so.

The restoration project adhered to the "minimal intervention" principle, preserving the building's different architectural elements from the Ming and Qing dynasties as well as the Republic of China era (1912-49), said Yan Longhua, a professor from the Fujian University of Technology, who serves as the main designer of the Sanfang Qixiang protection and restoration project.

To date, investment in the project has reached 5 billion yuan ($696.32 million). A restoration area of approximately 260,000 square meters has been completed.

"We have placed a special focus on preserving the integrity of the neighborhood's layout and overall appearance, as well as the continuity of life, while emphasizing its close connection with modern city living, making it like an open history book within the urban landscape," Yan said.

Currently, there are 30 cultural relic sites in Sanfang Qixiang under the protection, including 15 that are protected at the national level.

Inheritance and utilization

While restoring and protecting the ancient buildings in the neighborhood, Fuzhou is committed to revitalizing their cultural value and fostering their sustainable development.

The former residence of Yan Fu now has an exhibition of his life story and academic achievements. The old house that once hosted the New Fourth Army Fuzhou office has been transformed into an education base for the history of the Communist Party of China, dedicated to passing on the "Red spirit" to future generations.

At present, Fuzhou has a total of 249 intangible cultural heritage items at city level and above, including Min Opera, Shoushan stone carving and cork painting, which was officially recognized as one of China's national intangible cultural heritage items in 2019.

Guo Li, a fifth-generation inheritor of the cork painting technique, is running a painting and carving gallery in the neighborhood. As one of Fuzhou's three symbolic arts, the century-old craft is celebrated for its exquisite artistry and elegance.

Using Chinese traditional carving techniques, Guo and her fellow artisans transform cork sheets into breathtaking lifelike miniatures — from figures and mountains to bustling villages.

As well as admiring different artworks, tourists to the gallery can participate in workshops and try their hand at the craft. Guo said she hopes to engage more people, especially younger generations, to better protect and promote this craft.

Many of the city's intangible cultural heritage items can be experienced in Sanfang Qixiang. In addition, visitors can watch traditional performances and join in cultural activities during holidays, immersing themselves in the city's cultural ambience.

By blending the past with the present, Sanfang Qixiang is thriving as a hub and exchange platform for Fuzhou's traditional culture as well as a base for cultural and creative industries, local officials said.

Since 2015, the area has received over 10 million visits annually, and earned honors such as "national excellent case of cultural heritage tourism" and it is among the first batch of national-level street blocks for tourism and leisure.

Based on the practices of Sanfang Qixiang, the city has established a comprehensive protection network involving 17 characteristic historical and cultural districts, 261 traditional old streets and lanes, and more than 1,200 key cultural relics and ancient buildings.