New style of old streets in Fuzhou

For outsiders who come to Fuzhou, they can’t help but go shopping at Dongjiekou to appreciate the lively and prosperous Fuzhou; or go to Jiangbin Park and ride two or two Cycling for three people, take a romantic riverside trip; or go to Jinshan New District, where there are many high-rise buildings, to see the rapidly developing new Fuzhou.

However, the original flavor of Fuzhou actually lies in the twists and turns of Fuzhou old streets. The deep and long streets, the densely packed small shops, and the bustle are all hidden in the mottled shadows of the trees.

There are many restaurants on Gudong Road, which is only 200 to 300 meters away, and famous snacks and dishes from all over the world are gathered here. Each store is small, but elegant, clean, and has an indescribable sense of intimacy. Many of these small shops, such as Red Lantern Northeastern Cuisine, May Fragrant Zongzi Shop, and Tiantian New Year Dumpling House, have occupied a place on the "Fuzhou Food Map" that is widely circulated.

The bustling Jintai Road used to be just an inaccessible alley, but now it has transformed into a street with quite a cultural taste. Numerous fashion clothing stores, bookstores and bars contribute to the unique cultural and fashionable flavor of this street, which is even more graceful at night. No wonder some people say that Fuzhou’s nightlife “starts here”.

The renovation project of Xianta Street next to Jintai Road has just been completed, and it has quickly become a "women's street" in Xianta, which mainly sells clothing, shoes, hats, cosmetics and other women's products. Tai Road is bustling with traffic, but it has its own leisurely atmosphere.

When you come to Fuzhou, you must visit the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, which have witnessed the history of Fuzhou for more than 2,200 years. Three lanes and seven lanes are arranged on both sides of the South Back Street. There are crouching tigers and hidden dragons in the lanes. The former residences of many famous scholars in Fujian such as Lin Zexu, Yan Fu, Shen Baozhen, Lin Juemin, Xie Bingxin, etc. are hidden here. In the sunset, the alleys looked deep and long. The vermilion-lacquered door, the bronze door knocker, and the raised eaves still have an air of grandeur despite the vicissitudes of life.

There are many traditional handicraft workshops on Nanhou Street and Guxi Road - making funeral wreaths, ghost houses, platinum paper, Lantern Festival lanterns, beautiful lotus lanterns, etc. Every Spring Festival, red lanterns, couplets and paper-cuts illuminate the street, making it very festive and lively. Occasionally, some fashion stores opened, mostly trendy and fancy ones, attracting young people in groups of two and three, injecting some vitality into the vicissitudes of the old street.

Fuzhou Old Street is like a pot of tea that is both bitter and sweet. The ancient vicissitudes are infiltrated with the flavor of the new era. You must taste it slowly to reveal the mellow taste.

□Huang Xiang