Forgotten Fuzhou trumps the rest

Clockwise from top: West Lake in Fuzhou. [Photo by YANG E'NA/FOR CHINA DAILY]

If all of that is not enough, Fuzhou can boast hot springs, many of which can be enjoyed in situ in the comfort of many of the city's many hotels.

If you decide to spend two or three days in Fuzhou, you might get your stay off to a gentle start by visiting the city's European-style hot spring park composed of areas with themes such as bamboo, rare trees, tropical plants and fountains. You can enjoy this a leisurely pace during the morning. Admission is free.

The next stop could be Sanfang Qixiang, an ancient compound through which run three main streets and seven small alleys. Fuzhou dates back more than 2,200 years, and Sanfang Qixiang is unrivalled as a place for gaining an appreciation of its history and culture.

Many of the city's famous people lived in Sanfang Qixiang and its surroundings. These figures include Lin Zexu, a national hero in the First Opium War, Shen Baozhen, a diplomat and national hero during the Qing Dynasty (1368-1911), and the educator Yan Fu and the writer Bing Xin in modern times.

If you are a history and culture buff there can be no better way of lapping up such things by staying in an ancient building that has been turned into a small hotel and spending time visiting the homes of these famous people one by one.

Sanfang Qixiang was built during the Jin Dynasty (AD 266-420), improvements were made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) and the finishing touches were given during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911 AD) dynasties. This is a living fossil of China's ancient community system and is regarded as an architectural museum representing the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Most of the houses are extremely well-persevered, looking much like they would have when they were first built, and when you enter the main street, ancient carved beams and other wooden structures may make you feel that you have traveled back to ancient times.