With its scenic location on the Min Jiang, Fujian’s capital was a major maritime port for more than 1,000 years. It was the center of a lucrative trade first in tea and sugar, and later in cotton, lacquer, and ceramics. When the legendary explorer Marco Polo visited Fuzhou in the 13th century, he recorded that the city was garrisoned by imperial troops.

Wuyi Square, with its statue of Mao Zedong, marks the city center. Just north is the 10th-century Bai Ta (White Pagoda), while to the west is Wu Ta, a black granite pagoda from the same era. North of Wu Ta, the Lin Zexu Memorial Hall commemorates Lin Zexu, a Qing-dynasty official who destroyed an opium shipment in protest at the British trade, an act that led to the First Opium War. Farther north is the Kaiyuan Si, which has a Tang-dynasty iron Buddha. To its west lies Xi Hu Gongyuan (West Lake Park), where the Provincial Museum contains a 3,500-year-old boat coffin.

Zhongzhou Island, south of the river, about 10 km east of the city is Gu Shan, a wooded area with pleasant walks. The much-restored Yongquan Si, built in AD 908, is located here.