Major city · China
Fuzhou福州
Give Fuzhou 2 nights: Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, a Fudao walk and one river-side evening. Use it as a rail stop between Shanghai and Xiamen, not a destination on its own.
Fuzhou is the capital of Fujian and an old tea port on the Min River, 4.5 h from Shanghai by high-speed rail and 1.5–2 h from Xiamen. The draw is one large restored Ming-Qing lane district, a 19 km elevated forest trail and a green, low-rise downtown. Two nights covers it; three if you add a day trip to Mawei or the coast.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Oct–Nov, Mar–Apr
- avoid Jul–Sep (typhoon season, 34 °C (93 °F)+ and heavy rain)avoid Jul–Sep (typhoon season, 93 °F (34 °C)+ and heavy rain)
- Airport
- FOC
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Fuzhou110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Fuzhou, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyFuzhou is a low-crime city and safe to walk at night in the centre.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportFOC Fuzhou Changle International Airport (In Changle district, about 50 km (31 mi) east of downtown.FOC Fuzhou Changle International Airport (In Changle district, about 31 mi (50 km) east of downtown.
- Getting aroundMetro Lines 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and the Binhai Express Line cover the centre and the airport; single tickets from vending machines (¥1 (≈ under US$1) coins…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea in a lane-district café¥25–45 (≈ US$4–7)
- Street or quick mealNoodle soup (ban mian or fish ball soup)¥15–35 (≈ US$3–5)
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at a convenience store¥25–40 (≈ US$4–6)¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi ride3.1 mi (5 km) taxi rideNight surcharge after 23:00.Night surcharge after 11:00 PM.¥18–25 (≈ US$3–4)
- Metro or bus rideMetro ride¥2–7 (≈ under US$1) (check)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week¥80–150 (≈ US$12–25)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCN¥80 (≈ US$12)
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥450 (≈ US$65)
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥900 (≈ US$130)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥300 (≈ US$45) · Mid CN¥550 (≈ US$80) · High CN¥1,100 (≈ US$160)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- FOC Fuzhou Changle International Airport (In Changle district, about 50 km (31 mi) east of downtown. Metro Binhai Express Line runs to Fuzhou Railway Station in about 44 min; airport buses take about 1 h.)FOC Fuzhou Changle International Airport (In Changle district, about 31 mi (50 km) east of downtown. Metro Binhai Express Line runs to Fuzhou Railway Station in about 44 min; airport buses take about 1 h.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Feb
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Mar
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Aug
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Dec
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Best: Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) low), wettest May (18 rain days), driest Oct (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Fuzhou: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Feb
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
13 rd
Mar
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
16 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
16 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
18 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17 rd
Jul
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Nov
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Dec
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Metro Lines 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and the Binhai Express Line cover the centre and the airport; single tickets from vending machines (¥1 coins, ¥5/10/20 notes only), bags go through X-ray. Buses cost ¥1 and stop around 22:00. Taxis start at ¥10 for 3 km, then about ¥1.4/km, with a night surcharge after 23:00; most in-town rides stay under ¥30. Didi works with a foreign card if your bank supports 3-D Secure.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mawei
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Metro Line 1 to Fuzhou South, then a taxi; or a direct bus from downtown
River port and 1884 naval battle museum; half a day.
Changle
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Metro Binhai Express Line toward the airport, then a local taxi
Coastal town with beaches; mostly useful if you have an airport stopover.
Fuqing
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
High-speed train from Fuzhou South, about 30 min
Industrial town; go only for a specific sight or onward transport.
Pingtan
overnightDoor to door: 2–2.5 h
High-speed train or bus, then a local bus
Island beaches and wind; too far for a comfortable return day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Gulou (downtown, north of the river)
Best base: Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, Confucius Temple and Line 1 metro are all walkable. Most mid-range hotels sit here.
Taijiang (riverfront, south of Gulou)
Shangxiahang and the Min River promenade; cheaper rooms, 10–15 min by metro or taxi to the lanes.
Cangshan (south bank)
Yantai Mountain's old trading streets and cafés; quieter, one metro stop from Taijiang.
Near Fuzhou Railway Station (Jin'an)
Only for a late arrival or an early train; little to see on foot.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥250–400 (≈ US$35–60) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥400–700 (≈ US$60–100) excl. bed
- High
- ¥700 (≈ US$100)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 2 nights × CN¥450 | CN¥900 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × CN¥550 | CN¥2,200 |
| Metro Binhai Express Line, airport both ways2 × CN¥50 · check | CN¥100 |
| Three Lanes and Seven Alleys combo ticket2 × CN¥120 · Valid 2 days; single residences ¥15–20. | CN¥240 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × CN¥120 | CN¥240 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥368 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥1,012 per person per day, bed included | CN¥4,048≈ US$600 |
2026 estimate in yuan; flights and rail tickets excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea in a lane-district café | ¥25–45 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Noodle soup (ban mian or fish ball soup) | ¥15–35 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at a convenience store | ¥25–40 (≈ US$4–6) / ¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2) |
| 5 km taxi rideNight surcharge after 23:00.Night surcharge after 11:00 PM. | ¥18–25 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Metro ride | ¥2–7 (≈ under US$1) (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ¥80–150 (≈ US$12–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer is the risk: July–September brings 34 °C (93 °F)+ heat, heavy rain and typhoons that cancel flights and trains.Summer is the risk: July–September brings 93 °F (34 °C)+ heat, heavy rain and typhoons that cancel flights and trains.
- Taxis often refuse to stop near traffic cameras — walk to a marked taxi stand instead.
- Unlicensed drivers tout at stations and malls; the ride is not insured. Decline with 'bu yao, xie xie'.
- Liquids in your bag are checked at every metro station; you may be asked to take a sip.
- Three Lanes and Seven Alleys is heavily restored — expect shops, not a lived-in neighbourhood.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Fuzhou福州
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
Most countries run embassies in Beijing and consulates-general in Shanghai or Guangzhou; check before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- FOC airport → Fuzhou Railway Station, Binhai Express Line: about ¥50 (≈ US$7), about 44 min (check)
- Airport bus to downtown: about ¥50 (≈ US$7), about 1 h (check)
- Taxi downtown → Fuzhou South Railway Station: about ¥50 (≈ US$7), about 30 min
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xiè xie)
- 多少钱? — How much is it? (duō shao qián)
- 不要,谢谢 — No need, thank you (bù yào, xiè xie)
- 可以刷卡吗? — Can I pay by card? (kě yǐ shuā kǎ ma)
- 地铁站在哪里? — Where is the metro station? (dì tiě zhàn zài nǎ lǐ)
Screenshot your hotel address in Chinese — drivers rarely read English.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Fuzhou. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Nov, Mar–Apr · avoid Jul–Sep (typhoon season, 34 °C+ and heavy rain) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for FOC: last Binhai Express Line departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, Shangxiahang and the river, Yantai Mountain, Fudao and West Lake.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Three Lanes combo ticket, Confucius Temple Monday closure, Hualin Temple hours) and eat pages with last orders.
- Typhoon and heat fixtures so gates A–D can go green.