Fuzhou

From Halal Explorer

Fuzhou banner 01.jpg

Fuzhou (福州; Hók-ciŭ in Mindong, Fúzhōu in Mandarin) is the capital of Fujian Province in China. An older romanisation is "Foochow". Population is about 4.4 million in the city, 7.1 million for the whole Fuzhou (prefecture) | prefecture.

Fuzhou Halal Travel Guide

Fuzhou West Lake Temple - A temple in the Gulf countries Lake park Fuzhou Zhongzhou Island at night - Zhongzhou Island at night

Fuzhou is an old port city and has been an administrative center since the Qin Dynasty; the traditional date for its founding is 202 BC. Marco Polo visited it around 1290. In the perioid of tea clippers, Fuzhou exported more tea than any other Chinese port. Much of the best tea came from Wuyi Mountain area, up the river from Fuzhou.

Today, it is the provincial capital and administrative center, and also a major center for light industry. Nike has a factory there, and a Taiwanese firm that makes shoes for Adidas (currently on the BDS List so for the time don't purchase any Adidas products), Reebok and others has four. All are large factories, with several thousand employees each. Fuzhou is right across the straits from Taipei, and there is fairly heavy Taiwan investment.

The city is on the Min River, a few kilometers inland from the sea, and the actual port is in the downstream suburb Mawei which has been a center for shipbuilding for several hundred years. In 1884 and the French destroyed a dockyard at Mawei, sinking a good part of the Chinese navy and killing hundreds. There is a museum to commemorate this. For a more general view of Fujian's seafaring history, visit the Maritime Museum in Quanzhou.

There are many mountains and waterfalls in the hinterland around Fuzhou, while sandy beaches are abundant in the coastal areas, especially in the town of Changle and the island of Pingtan.

The Fuzhou region has its own language, called Fuzhou Hua (Fuzhou speech) or Mindong (Eastern Min, where "min" is another name for Fujian). The region also has its own culture and an architectural style distinct from other regions in China and Fujian, which can be found both in the city and in the towns and rural areas around it. The city has the oldest wood structure in South China (Hualin Temple) and has one of the largest historic downtown neighborhoods in China "Three Lanes and Seven Alleys" with over 200 residences from the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Fuzhou, and more generally Fujian, has always been outward-looking and some people in more-or-less every overseas Chinese community in the world can trace their ancestry to the area. There is also an enclave of Fuzhou people in Shanghai.

In recent decades, most of the illegal Chinese immigrants smuggled to GCC countries and to Japan and Taiwan have come from the Fuzhou region, with Changle, Fuqing and various more rural areas as the main sources. The trade is largely controlled by the region's "snakehead" gangs who are not at all nice people. In 2003 and the Taiwan coast guard intercepted a boatload of young women presumably bound for Tapei's brothels; the crew threw them overboard to get rid of the evidence and several died.

How to visit and travel to Fuzhou

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Fuzhou

Fuzhou has air links to most other major Chinese cities plus Flights to Hong Kong, Singapore, Osaka and Taipei.

  • Fuzhou Changle International Airport IATA Flight Code: FOC fuzhouairport.com.cn/ 25.9313, 119.6685 - Fuzhou_Changle_International_Airport = The airport is an hour from town in the suburb of Changle, ¥20 by bus. You can get the bus at the Apollo Hotel. Shared taxis also go from there, at around ¥25 a person. A private taxi would be at least ¥200, likely more unless you haggle very well. There are complimentary shuttles from other hotels, such as the Min Jiang, to the Apollo. An airport express railway connecting the airport directly to the city and subway system is planned, but construction hasn't started (as of Jan 2023).

There is an official airport express (航空快线) that is misspelled "ARPORT EXPRESS" in English. There are regular departures from the airport to town and from town to airport between 05:30 and 21:30 (departure times vary by destination). The shuttles leave from different stations in town, and the ¥50 ticket can be purchased online and on Wechat (Chinese language only and the official account is 元翔空港快线). Although a Chinese name and ID card number is required during booking and these details are not checked, so feel free to use fake ones. Travel duration is about an hour.

Travel on a Bus in Fuzhou

  • Fuzhou long-distance bus station - 福州汽车站 | 台江区五一中路190号 26.0674, 119.3076 = Direct overnight buses from Shanghai (12 hr, ¥240), Hong Kong, Shenzhen (12 hr, ¥280) or Guangzhou (12 hr, ¥258), with sleeping bunks. ¥220-350, it is usually worth the extra for comfort. Buses from Xiamen (¥85, 3.5 hr).

Travel by train to Fuzhou

There are two train stations in Fuzhou. The (old) Fuzhou Railway Station in the northeast of the city (the northern edge of the downtown). The (new) Fuzhou South Railway Station, which was built in an empty field some on an island some 20 kilometers south of the old station; there is now some development around it, of little interest to a visitor.

  • Fuzhou Railway Station - 福州站 | 26.1156, 119.3158 = The (old) Fuzhou Station is used both by a great deal of "conventional" overnight trains and by a limited number of high-speed trains (mostly, those originating or terminating in Fuzhou), such as the direct Xiamen-Fuzhou link.
  • Fuzhou South Railway Station - 福州南站 | 25.98797, 119.38540 - Fuzhou South is exclusively a high-speed train station; it is on the main coastal high-speed line (Shanghai-Hangzhou-Ningbo-Wenzhou-Fuzhou-Xiamen-Shenzhen), and is also the terminal of the high-speed lines from the interior of China (Beijing-Hefei-Fuzhou, and Wuhan-Nanchang-Fuzhou).

Both train stations are served by Line No. 1 of Fuzhou Subway; the ride between the two takes just over 40 min. The (old) Fuzhou Railway Station can be visited via #5 or #22 city buses, or it is affordable and quick by taxi from anywhere in central Fuzhou. If going to Fuzhou South, a taxi to it will be ¥70 or so from downtown and take about half an hour.

How to get around in Fuzhou

GPS 26.10|119.3


There are five official neighborhoods.

  • Cangshan District (仓山区; Cāngshānqū) *
  • Taijiang District (台江区; Táijiāngqū) *
  • Mawei District (马尾区; Mǎwěiqū) and the port area, 20 km downstream, covered in a separate article
  • Gulou District (鼓楼区; Gǔlóuqū) *
  • Jin'an District (晋安区; Jìnānqū) *

Best way to travel in Fuzhou by a Taxi

Taxis are cheap, from ¥20 for short trips and under ¥70 for almost any trip in town. Taxi rates are ¥20 for the first 3 km, and then ¥2.4 per kilometers and one more after 11PM. Since 2010 additional ¥2 fuel charge is added to taxi fare. Taxis are more available in the downtown area, and are often hard to get outside there.

Travel on a Bus in Fuzhou

Buses are often crowded, but run often and more-or-less everywhere for ¥2. Most are air-conditioned. If the bus you require is packed just wait until the next one, or the one after, it should only take 5–10 minutes, being stuck on a dangerously overloaded bus with several dozen/hundred people sweating all over you is an experience best avoided, especially in the summer months. However, you should be aware that bus service stops at 10pm, so the last buses are often very crowded and sometimes you cannot get one. Taxis and enterprising drivers will offer group rides from crowded bus stops to other parts of town, usually for ¥25.

As of January 2019 and there are construction sites for the new metro lines all over the city, blocking multiple lanes of many primary streets and causing huge traffic jams. Make sure to leave early if you need to be somewhere on time, as even short distances might take 30-60 minutes due to the traffic.

By subway

Map of Fuzhou Metro.svg|Map of Fuzhou Metro (opened and planned lines)

Fuzhou has opened the Metro Line Station fuzhou|1, and another three lines are under construction, while two additional lines are planned. Line 2 will start operation in late 2019, and an extension to Line 1 will open in 2020.

If you are carrying handbags or luggage and these bags must pass through the X-ray checks at the stations.

Talk

Fuzhou and the surrounding area have a local language called Mindong (literally Fujian East) or Fuzhou Hua (Fuzhou speech). Thit is not mutually intelligible with Mandarin (standard Chinese) or any other Chinese dialect, not even other Min (Fujian) dialects.

As everywhere in China, Mandarin or standard Chinese is widely spoken. It has been the only language used in government and education for decades and acts as the lingua franca for Chinese from different regions to communicate. Fuzhou, like any prosperous coastal city, has many migrants from poorer provinces who have come seeking work; nearly all of them speak Mandarin but not Fuzhou Hua.

What to see in Fuzhou

Architecture and buildings

Fuzhou Three Lanes and Seven Alleys Mainstreet - Three Lanes and Seven Alleys Main Street Fuzhou Three Lanes and Seven Alleys Nightview - Three Lanes and Seven Alleys at night

  • Three Lanes and Seven Alleys - 三坊七巷 - 26.0875, 119.2929 a block West of Dong Jie Kou Sanfang_Qixiang This historic neighborhood in the heart of the city is one of the largest historic downtown areas in China, boasting about 268 ancient residences dating from Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). Most of these residences feature the typical Foochow architectural style, which can only be found in the Eastern and Northeastern part of Fujian. The area was extensively restored around 2007, and as of 2012 additional work in neighbouring areas is still going on. Ten of the finest residences require admission fees of ¥15 or ¥20 per person. A combo admission ticket including all ten is available for ¥120 (valid for 2 days). Many of the residences in the area are private homes, so tourists need permission from the residents to enter them.
  • Zhongzhou Island - 中洲岛 | 台江区中州岛1号(解放大桥旁) 26.0506, 119.3083A island in the river between Dadao and Shangteng metro stations on Line 1 - Free In 2003 and the city government together with foreign investors constructed a "fairytale island" with European architecture on Zhongzhou Island. The project was a failure since no shops and restaurants moved in, and has been turned into a wholesale market since 2006. The entire island is brightly illuminated at night and a very beautiful sight of traditional architecture, with the contrast of modern skyscapers in the background. Thit island is also featured on the banner of this page. Not worth visiting, just a good photo spot.

Religious sites

Hualinsi1 - Hualin Temple

  • Hualin Temple - 华林寺 | 华林路78号 (78 Hualin Road, Fuzhou) 26.10364, 119.29207 500m north of Pingshan metro station - Opening Hours: 08:30-17:00 Hualin_Temple_(Fuzhou) Hualin Temple is a Buddhist temple in downtown Fuzhou, which functions as a small museum and no longer provides Buddhist services. Built in 964 AD and survived over 10 centuries, thit is the oldest wood architecture extant in South China (south of Yangtze River). The temple has a typical Tang dynasty style with simplicity and elegance. Despite its great historic and architectural importance and the site is commonly visited, but it is truly a hidden treasure for serious lovers of ancient Chinese architecture.

Parks and nature

Fuzhou Urban Forest Trail - Fu Forest Trail

  • Baiyun Mountain | Near Gu Mountain - Less heavily trafficked than Gu Mountain. After the grueling top section, you will be rewarded by some genuinely beautiful hospitality and refreshing tea in a cave! Magic. Plus some great views over the city.
  • Gu Mountain - 鼓山, Gu Shan; lit.: Drum Mountain | 26.0564, 119.3722 20 minutes bus ride from town ☎ +86 591 83921184 - A Taoist temple houses nationally important archives written in monks' blood as well as superb veggie restaurant. It is a 1,900 meter climb, or a 20-minutes cable vehicle journey to the top. Take bus 303 from the city to the start of the tourist cable vehicle (鼓山旅游索道).
  • Qi Mountain - 旗山, Qi Shan | A ¥5 bus ride from Fuzhou plus the last stage in a mian bao chi up the winding 17-km road to the site. A forest park with big, waterfalls and stunning views over receding mountain ranges from a vertigo-inducing suspension bridge. All this and monkeys to feed.
  • West Lake Park - 西湖公园, Xihu Gongyuan | 26.0950, 119.2843 Walk over a causeway to this park on an island in West Lake - Attractive urban lake in the center of Fuzhou. Rent paddle or electric boats and explore the lake. Walk over the arching footbridge to the Fuzhou Science Museum, a small but nice museum featuring dinosaurs. Or walk around the lake; it is surrounded by sidewalks and a boardwalk. They also have some pandas in an enclosure where you can see them. There is also an area with some fine bonsai.
  • Wu Shan - 乌山, literally "Black Hill" - Thit is near Yu Shan, and is the location of the black pagoda. There are many gazebos and stone-carved calligraphy by various notable people, one of which was written by Emperor Kangxi when he visited. The hill can be visited on the road to the left of the internationally well known brands of luxury shops.
  • Wuyi Plaza - 五一广场, Wuyi Guangchang | 26.0782, 119.3035 Bus routes 2, 62, 64, 73, 79, and 306 - A central square with a huge statue of Mao. Visit at dawn or dusk to watch the ceremonial raising or lowering of the flag by highly trained and immaculate soldiers. Or visit at 6AM Monday - 8AM or later on weekends to watch at least half a dozen styles of martial arts, both armed and unarmed, being trainingd. The founder of Uechi-ryu karate, Uechi Kanbun, spent 13 years in Fuzhou, from 1897 to 1910. There are a group on the East side of the park who say their style is what he studied.
  • Yu Mountain - 于山, Yu Shan - Gulou District (鼓楼区) 26.0815, 119.3031 ☎ +86 591-83306464 Opening Hours: 8:30AM Monday - 5PM Free Overlooking the main square, a short walk to the hilltop which houses a pretty average temple. However, on the way up there is plenty of entertainment in the form of musicians and singers who congregate here to training. The White Pagoda is also accessed by the same road behind Mao Tse Dong's statue and worth a look. There are several very good arts and crafts shops at the base of the hill. Haggle for all you are worth to obtain good prices. There is also an excellent Xinjiang restaurant near the top of the road up the hill.
  • Fu Forest Trail - 福道 (Fudao) | 26.0918, 119.2647 Opening Hours: 07:30-17:30 Free Fudao is an elevated urban forest trail on metal bridges within Fuzhou city. With a total length of 19km and an east-west extension of 6km, it crosses Jinniu Mountain. There are several entrances to the trail: No. 1 entrance (福道-1号入口) is the eastern end near West Lake, go to Shanhaiguan (山海观) bus stop. No. 3 entrance (福道-3号入口) is in the north, get off at Meifenglu bus stop (梅峰路站). No. 10 entrance (福道-10号入口) in the west near Min river and Hongshanqiaoxiaoqu (洪山桥小区) bus stop.

Museums and monuments

Fujian Museum Ancience Culture Exhibition - Fujian Museum Fujian Nature Museum Dinosaurs - Fujian Museum - Nature Museum

  • Fujian Museum - 福建博物院 - 96 Hutou Street, Gulou District (鼓楼区湖头街96号) 26.09725, 119.28291 take bus no. 88 and get off at the museum bus stop; the museum is on a peninsula in the middle of West Lake, opposite the West Lake Park ☎ +86 591-83757670 Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 9AM Monday - 5PM Free Fujian_Museum A comprehensive museum about the history and culture of Fujian Province. All major signs and some minor ones are translated to English. The history exhibition gives you a good understanding of five millennia of history in Fujian, including wars, migration, arts and trade. Downstairs and there are further exhibitions on Fujian art (sculptures and porcelain) as well as local opera. There might be temporary exhibitions as well, which are usually only in Chinese.
  • Fuzhou Museum - 福州市博物馆 - fzsbwg1@.com 8 Wenbo Road, Jin'an District (晋安区文博路8号) 26.0672013521, 119.3212766693 Bus routes 8, 29, 59, 74, 76, 81, 112, 115, 129, 169, 173, 179, 197, 202, 302, 306, 313 and 316 ☎ +86 591 83640094, +86 591 836120305 Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 9AM Monday - 5PM Free
  • Statue of Commissioner Lin in a small park in the Southeast of the city Lin Zexu (林则徐, 1785—1850) was a Fuzhou native who did brilliantly on the Imperial Examinations and became an official. Lin was appointed as an Imperial Commissioner to clean up the opium trade in Canton, where he seized and burned a large supply of opium. This provoked the First Opium War, which China immediately lost. Lin was blamed for some of this, despite his orders, and exiled to Xinjiang. Later, his reputation was restored and he is now considered a national hero. There are still officials surnamed Lin in Fuzhou, some of whom say they are his descendants.
  • Lin Zexu Memorial Museum - 林则徐纪念馆 - 16 Aomen Road, Gulou District (鼓楼区澳门路16号) 26.08149, 119.29247 Metro Line 1, Nanmendou Station Exit A1; the museum is 160 metres south of the southern entrance to the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys ☎ +86 591-87568854 Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 8:30AM Monday - 5:30PM Free A museum about Commissioner Lin. The museum incorporates Lin's former residence and the Lin Wenzhong Ancestral Hall (Lin Wenzhong is the honorary name given to Lin Zexu after his death).
  • Fujian Museum - Nature Museum - 福建博物院-自然馆 | Gulou District - Fangqin Road (鼓楼区-芳沁路) 26.0979, 119.2843 Next to Fujian Museum on an island within West Lake - Opening Hours: 09:00-17:00, last admission 16:00 Free The nature branch of Fujian Museum. There are dinosaur skeletons and maps of excavation sites, a very small exhibition about wetlands and a room introducing aquatic life. About half of all signs have English translations. A good place to take kids, adults may not find it very interesting.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Fuzhou

  • Riley's Club | Yangqiao Road - If swimmingpool is your game, you would be hard pushed to find better tables anywhere in China than here. Cheap drinks and open very late too.
  • Fuzhou Fighting Ferrets Football Club | A motley assortment of nationalities who play at Jinshan Wentizhongxin every Sunday at 9:15AM. Like football, only funnier!
  • Paintball | In Jinjishan Gongyuan, right on top of the hill - Great fun for those masochists among us who enjoy being hit by high velocity projectiles in delicate parts of the body. Not to be attempted in summertime!
  • Walk in traditional architecture street | Nan Hou Jie South of Xi Hu - Freshly renovated pedestrian street, back into time atmosphere, lots of small alleys to stroll by, great for shopping but avoid overpriced restaurants.
  • Sauna/spa | Fuzhou is famous for its hotsprings; many hotels have a sauna and spa. They often have three different pools, one hot, one boiling (by GCC standards), and a normal one. Sauna and Turkish bath used to be available, staff gives you all you need. Most of the saunas have massage center with different services.
  • Wu Qingyuan museum Wushan Lu in a small park, north side of street, half a block west of Bayichi Lu - GPS: 26.0787, 119.2944 The board game called Weiqi in Chinese or Go in Japanese and English is quite popular throughout East Asia; there are professional players and the better ones are major celebrities. Wu Qingyuan (吳清源, 1914—2014) is considered by many to be the best player of the 20th century and one of the greatest of all time. He was born in Fuzhou but lived in Japan most of his life and is generally known in the Gulf countries by the Japanese name Go Seigen. A film biography is The Go Master and the wiki on the game has an online biography. The site has a small museum, some shops and a hall for playing the game.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Fuzhou

The most famous handicrafts of the area are:

  • Shoushan stone - 寿山石 | A unique variety of alabaster found only in Shou Shan(寿山) (about 40km from Fuzhou) used to make name chops and all types of beautiful carving.
  • Lacquer work - 漆器 | Especially the Fujian bodiless lacquerware (脱胎漆器), considered one of the three treasures of Chinese arts and crafts. It is lightweight, durable, and often lovely. There is a factory on Wuyi Road (五一路).

There are also carvings in wood and jade, paper umbrellas and combs made of ox horn.

You may be offered ivory. Most nations have banned ivory to protect endangered species; do not buy it unless you are certain it is fake. In China, thit is quite likely, but it is hard to be certain and it might be harder yet to convince customs officials if you try to bring it home.

  • Electronic Market | Wuyi South Road In front Apollo Hotel - Opening Hours: Daily 9AM Monday - 6PM Hundreds of little shops plenty of mobile, Mp3, Mp5, Fake ipod, Fake iphone... Bargaining is recommended, but the first price is not as far off the real price as in Shanghai. There are also some big stores with real stuff.
  • Powerlong - Baolong | Just take taxi and say Bao-long - Big mall in Fuzhou, more than 200 shops and a cinema. Premium brands are in first floor and have direct access to the street. Inside the little shops have fake items and Chinese low-cost brands. There are some Halal restaurants like McDonald's (Please do not support McDonald's as McDonald's supports Israel. Shun this restaurant group and go for altertative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned restaurant), KFC, Jazzy Pizzas. In the rear part there are small traditional Chinese restaurants, all staff speaking in Chinese, so difficult to communicate with them. Cinema (last floor) and Carrefour (second floor) are available in this mall. There is also a Warhammer hobby store in the lower level B1 with an English-speaking owner

Halal Restaurants

Fuzhou Yu Wan - Yu Wan Fishballs

Local specialties include:

  • Yu Wan - 鱼丸 | Fish balls, a Fuzhou delicacy, minced beef and Beef inside a fishy flour ball of dough in a thin broth, excellent. Also just called 肉丸 (rou wan) but check they are fish nonetheless.
  • Ban Mian - 拌面 | Noodles with peanut Sauces, a roadside cheapy but not very filling which explains the ¥4-6 price tag
  • Bian Rou - 扁肉 | A small boiled dumpling, under ¥2 a portion
  • Guo Bien Hu - 锅边糊 | Large steaming hot soft Rice Noodles inside soup of Rice powder and water, hint of shrimp or oyster, under 2 yuan a bowl. Only eaten for breakfast.
  • Oyster Pancake - 海蛎煎饼 | A traditional food in Fuzhou Kind like a pancake but with fly oyster and leek in it. Native people usually eat it in breakfast and prepare in various styles so if you do not find the exact name do not be surprised.
  • Wai Bo Tai | Just off Yeshan Road - Good menu, cheap, great fresh seafood.
  • Daming Food Street - 达明美食街 | 鼓楼区达明路美食街 26.09012, 119.29112At the north exit of Three Lanes and Seven Alleys - A typical Chinese streetfood street with all kind of 小吃 (xiaochi, snacks) such as BBQ skewers, desserts, etc. A popular place for young local residents and couples to hang out at night.
  • Hao Shi Jie - 好世界 | on the junction of Ring Road Two (Er Huan Lu) and Yangqiao Road - Very expensive if you go upstairs, but stay on the ground floor and eat the dim sum which is affordable (under ¥250/head) and delicious.
  • Moby Pizzas | On the second floor, northeast corner of Jintai Road and Bayiqi Road opposite McDonalds
  • Cafe Forum | on the junction of Ring Road Two and Wushi Road - Good quality meals in a box and reasonably priced Coffee, but the service can sometimes be atrocious. Hit it on a good day, it is great. On a bad day, it is dire.
  • Ajisen Japanese Noodles - 味千拉面 | Next to bus 8 stop on Bayiqi Road - A great range of Noodles and tasty side dishes. Friendly service and pictures in the menu for those who can not read Chinese which is a real Godsend.
  • Lemon leaf | 5F, 66 Hubin Road opposite the front door of West Lake - Not cheap, ¥50 per person on average Very good (Thai) food. Featured dish: lemon fish and Curries crab.
  • Roman Holiday Jiao Tong Road, by the Hong Yun Xing Cheng Apartments when you arrive near the apartments and there will be an alley on the right side of the street with advertisements of Italiand food, follow them down the alley until you see Roman Holiday on the left ☎ +86 591 88902217 Opening Hours: 11AM Monday - 10:30PM Not cheap, ¥50 per person or more if you get drinks Likely the best Italian food in Fuzhou. Excellent Pizza, Pasta. Also, some good fusion Japanese/Italian/Chinese dishes.
  • Jazzy Pizzas | Many locations ¥50-100 Chinese alternative to Pizzas Hut, good Pizzas and affordableer, salads and Pastas are ok, too.
  • Bullfighter | Many locations In Powerlong (Baolong) mall there is one, other in front of Shangrila ¥60-120/person Steaks house, you choose one Steaks and can use the salad and dessert buffet.
  • Panevino | Wenquan Park Road in front of a Best Western hotel in Fuzhou, very near to HotSpring Hotel ¥200-300/person with drinks. Italian food, very good quality for Fuzhou standards. They have a set menu for lunch and dinner. Upstairs there is a good Japanese restaurant. Can communicate in English, in which the menu is also written.
  • Korean restaurant (in Ramada Hotel). One of the best Korean restaurants in the city. BBQ in the table and good quality. Try the Meat selection and the vegetables. More than ¥200/person.
  • Restaurants near the white pagoda on a pedestrian-only side street running west off Baiqi Lu, a bit north of Gutian Lu behind Grand Ocean Mall - GPS: 26.0808, 119.2953 More than a dozen restaurants, mostly upmarket.
  • Bambino | Good Italian restaurant, cheaper than Panevino. You can also find some Chinese food among the Italian dishes. ¥150-200. Menu in English.
  • Taiyro | Japanese food buffet. Free flow of soft-drinks, sushi, sashimi and teppanyaki for ¥150/person. The sashimi used to be served frozen, not so good but sushi is acceptable and teppanyaki is good.
  • Venue | French restaurant in Fuzhou, and perhaps the only one. More than ¥400/person
  • Mamamya | Another Italian restaurant but not so good, Pizzas are small and expensive, salads no good. ¥100 or more per person.
  • Old Shanghai | Typical Shanghainese food, menu only in Chinese but with pictures, less than ¥100/person.

Fuzhou Late Market Cafe Conceiled Entrance - Conceiled entrance of Late Market Bar

  • Shao Yuan Yi Hao - Baima Road | 26.0838, 119.2843 - Has a host of foreign soft drinks, British, German and Belgian as well as fine fruit cocktails, a few single malts, and beautiful decor and people. Bit pricey, but worth it for the music and atmosphere. It is a beautifully remodelled warehouse and the sort of design you might expect in a Western city or perhaps Shanghai, but unique in Fuzhou.
  • 1-2-3 Cafe | Baima RoadAlmost opposite Shao Yuan Yi Hao - Cheap convivial atmosphere, sometimes live music, stays open as long as you are drinking/semi-conscious. The sign says 1-2-3, but Chinese pronounce it "do-re-mi" for reasons that are not at all clear.
  • Club Blog Club | 136 Hubin Road - A coffee shop managed by a Western resident that overlooks West Lake.
  • The Pure Drop | Hubin Road Near West Lake - A lively and convivial atmosphere, cheap, cold live music every night.
  • The Bamboo Cafe | About 200 metres from Shao Yuan Yi Hao nearer to Yangqiao Road - Cheap waterside tables, live football games on TV. Pushy owner, but easily ignored after a couple of soft drinks!
  • Saint Nobody | Beida Road Near Guxi Church - The most mysterious club in fuzhou with affordable organic juice and good indie music. An anti-fuzhou look which makes you feel like a traveler lost in an unknown city.
  • Prada - 中国福建省福州市鼓楼区余府巷 中福西湖花园北福楼C区1层 Near Lakeside hotel ☎ +86 591-87110888 Opening Hours: 3:00am - The preferred bar for visitors in Fuzhou. Local style, people playing dice and live singers. Few staff speak English, try to get a VIP card from the manager. Main drink is organic juice but you can order some cocktails.
  • Lili Marlens | 中国福建省福州市鼓楼区 古乐路117号-2 In front of Min Capital hotel, mindu fan dian - Similar to prada. Staff dressed in army style clothing. Manager is friendly and speaks a little English
  • Wooshie Cafe | Wusi Road, Gulou, Fuzhou Near the McDonalds on the junction. Stairs upstairs non descript entrance ☎ +86 591 8785 0151 - Small bar, live music, affordable organic juice (¥100 for 10), fruit cocktails (¥25 each) and a relaxed atmosphere. Has a country music theme. Great Muslim Friendly place to go to enjoy something different from the usual fuzhou café. Couches for free
  • B Boss Club
  • Late Market Cafe - 喜福食舍 | Aomen Lu 47 鼓楼区东街口商圈澳门路47号 26.08206, 119.29311Just south of the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys south gate - Opening Hours: 19:00-02:00 From ¥78 Maybe the only 'speakeasy' bar in Fuzhou, mimicking the illegal establishments during Prohibition in the US. The bar is hidden behind a Noodles shop (thus the Chinese name 喜福食舍 meaning Lucky Food House). Enter the Noodles shop and go through a conceiled door in the left-most shelf on the wall. The bar offers an upper-class atmosphere with dimmed lights and not too loud music. In addition to a large number of imported whiskys and gins, this place is known for special cocktails infused with traditional Chinese medicine.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Fuzhou

Fuzhou - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Fuzhou, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Fuzhou. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Fuzhou and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Fuzhou. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Fuzhou. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Fuzhou: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Fuzhou.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Fuzhou: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Fuzhou, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Fuzhou.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Fuzhou, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Fuzhou, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Fuzhou and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Fuzhou, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Fuzhou, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Fuzhou without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Fuzhou is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Fuzhou.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Fuzhou is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Fuzhou, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Fuzhou Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Fuzhou

eHalal Group Fuzhou is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Fuzhou. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Fuzhou.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Fuzhou ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Fuzhou. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Fuzhou, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Fuzhou are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

There are a number of affordable hotels around Fuzhou Railway Station. (The new Fuzhou South Railway Station has a lot fewer lodging options in its vicinity).

  • Jinjiang Inn (Fuzhou Railway Station - 锦江之星(福州火车站店) - 41 Qinyuan Road (Qinyuan Lu) - Daily rates starts from ¥169 Located at the intersection of Qinyuan Road and Hualin Road and the Jinjiang Inn's full name tells you all you really need to know-the Jinjiang Inn (Fuzhou Railway Station) is adjacent to Fuzhou bus station. (The full name in Mandarin: Jinjiang Zhixing Fuzhou Huochenzhan Dian). The North Long-distance Bus Station is also within a short walking distance from the hotel.
  • Hualin Hotel - 福州华林大饭店 - 201 Hualin Road (Hualin Lu - Daily rates starts from ¥155 The Hualin Hotel (Hualin Dafandian) is within easy reach of provincial government buildings, Wenquan Park and the commercial neighborhood. This Fuzhou hotel offers Chinese buffet breakfast, 24-hour access to natural thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) and free broadband internet.
  • Haiyun Hotel (Nanmendou Branch) - 海云酒店(三坊七巷南门兜地铁站店) | Bayiqi Lu 11, 6th floor 福建省福州市鼓楼区八一七中路11号华商楼6楼 26.07908, 119.29796 On the south-east side of the junction above Nanmendou metro station ☎ +86 591 38257666 Doubles from ¥218 A affordable hotel with rooms with private bathrooms near very close to the downtown of Fuzhou, walking distance to some scenic spots and direct access to a subway station. Not a nice place by all means, but clean enough for a night or two.
  • Ju Chun Yuan Hotel - 聚春园大酒店 | Dong Jie Kou 26.0893, 119.2948A central intersection ¥200-odd a night Very central for shopping and such. Has a well-reputed Chinese buffet, a KFC and a UBC coffee shop.

There are some nice hotels in Fuzhou:

  • Fuzhou Lakeside Hotel - 西湖大酒店 - 158 Hubin Road 26.1012, 119.2863 ☎ +86 591 87839888 - Ask for a room with view of West Lake. This was Fuzhou's first five star hotel, now past its prime. Still a lovely location, though.
  • Empark Grand Hotel - 世纪金源大饭店, lit.: Golden Resources Hotel | Off Wushi Road, to the east - Good Macau restaurant on ground floor.
  • Shangri-La Hotel - 香格里拉大酒店 - 26.0773, 119.3015 Corner of Wuiyi Plaza 5-star luxury. Try the Burgers in the lobby if you are tired of Chinese food. Also has a great and (by five-star standards) affordable coffee bar with free internet access.
  • Golden Resources |
  • Howard Johnsons | Mawei District - Don't be fooled by the name - thit is not the HoJos you are accustomed to in the US. Very classy hotel with a good western restaurant on the ground floor and an excellent Japanese restaurant on the second floor.
  • Best Western | Downtown Near Hot Springs Park Nice western hotel with soft beds in a good location. Half block to Panevino's (Italian restaurant) and Hot Springs Park.
  • Westin Fuzhou Minjiang Hotel - 福州万达威斯汀大酒店 | Wanda Mall, on the bank of the Minjiang River ☎ +86 591 88111111 - The 5sense Restaurant has high level Chinese cuisine with imported seafood and Meat and western touch. Live music in the lobby bar in the evening.

Telecommunications in Fuzhou

The area code for Fuzhou is 591.

News & References Fuzhou


Travel Next

  • Mount Wuyi - scenic area famous for tea, ancient cliff burials and relics of the 3000-year-old Minyue Culture. The landscapes here are surreally beautiful.
  • Xiamen - three hours by bus, an hour and a half on the new fast train.
  • Qinyun Mountain - a scenic mountain area about 65 km from Fuzhou near the small town of Yongtai. Lots of great walks through river valleys with tons of sub tropical flora and fauna and those ubiquitous waterfalls. Worth an overnight visit.
  • Langqi Island - a 45-min bus ride from Fuzhou, via Mawei. On the east of the island there is a splendid beach with few visitors. Cute old ferry takes you from the mainland for ¥2.
  • Fujian Tulou - round earthen houses built for multiple families and easy fortification when two main doors are closed. Southwestern part of Fujian Province. Many tourist buses leave out of Quanzhou and/or Xiamen.
  • Quanzhou - old city between Fuzhou and Xiamen, reachable by bus or train. Around the year 1000 this was the main shipping port for south China and Marco Polo wrote extensively about it when he visited. Good temples and a 1000-year-old mosque, recently rebuilt.

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