Fuzhou, the capital of southeastern China's Fujian province, is a sprawling industrial and transportation hub.

Its downtown includes the "3 Lanes and 7 Alleys" quarter of preserved Ming and Qing dynasty buildings.

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The 'Fuzhou forest walkway', commonly known as 'fudao', is a steel pedestrian route that covers about 19 kilometers (12 miles) along its winding path. conceived as an urban connector, 'fudao' links two bodies of water, while providing public access to the hills outside of Fuzhou's city center.

Singapore-based LOOK Architects designed a first of its kind elevated steel pedestrian walkway system weaving through forested areas in China.

Fuzhou Forest Walkway spans over 6.3 kilometers from end to end, threading through the full breadth of Jinniushan and covers about 19 kilometers along its winding path.

A signature urban connector network that provides public accessibility to indigenous hinterland stretching north- east of Minjiang, Fudao signifies an awakened consciousness to improve lives of city dwellers by bringing nature within closer reach.

There are a total of 10 entrances leading into the walkway network, each celebrated as a bold intervention into the existing urban grain.

For the entrance situated at the open plaza of existing Jinniushan indoor sports hall, a stately spiral ramp measuring 24 meters across its diameter is introduced, announcing the transition from flat urban plain to hilly forested terrain.

At the northern tip, connectivity to Meifengshan Park has expanded the design brief to include master planning for the future commercial hub encapsulating approximately 30,000 square meters of gross floor area.

Conveniences such as rest shelters, viewing decks, observation towers and teahouses with washroom amenities are interspersed throughout the elevated walkways, laid at a gentle gradient not exceeding 1:16 for barrier- free accessibility.

An intelligent walkway network equipped with WIFI connectivity, touch-screen information boards and visitor traffic monitors, Fudao has the potential to set a new national benchmark for eco-routes.

Comprising 8 basic deck components that can be stitched together in various permutations, the walkway network is an all-terrain modular system with the capability of negotiating undulating topography.

Efficient design allows for a long span of 14.4 meters between supporting columns, minimizing the construction footprint.

The use of steel grating for the walkway decks serves to bring natural light down to the ground plane, encouraging low-lying plants to thrive.

Fuzhou is a handsome provincial capital with charming old town lane-ways lined with lanterns and traditional architecture pressed up against the backs of shiny shopping plazas.

Fuzhou's tea culture is renowned, and you’ll find plenty of purveyors along the banks of the Minjiang River. A short trip to the west lies Gu Mountain and its delightful, accessible hiking paths.

A new metro makes the center easy to access, but most visitors pass through en route to other destinations in southern China, so the only tourists you're likely to see will be Chinese.

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Top 5 Reasons to Visit Fuzhou
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1. Take a Cable Car to the Gu Mountain
The Gu Mountain is only 20 minutes away from Fuzhou. Take the cable car to go on a hike or to visit the Taoist temple.

2. Explore the Qi Mountain
A day trip to Qi Mountain is the perfect way to escape the city. You can hike in the forest, admire the waterfalls, feed wild monkeys, and walk over a suspended bridge.

3. Relax at West Lake Park
West Lake Park is an island in the middle of the city. You can rent boats to go on the lake and see some pandas in the park.

4. Stroll through the Historical Downtown Area
There are over 200 residences from the Ming and Qing dynasties in the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys area, the largest historical area in China.

5. Shop for Crafts
Fuzhou is known for its lacquerware and its alabaster crafts. You can also shop for electronics and clothes at the Baolong mall or at the electronic market on Wuyi South Road.

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The Shangxiahang traditional block was selected one of the 55 blocks on the list of the first batch of China National Tourist Resorts released on Monday. Located on the central axis of Fuzhou, the Shangxiahang traditional block is the cradle of Fujian merchants. It is hailed as "Fuzhou Traditional Commercial Museum."

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0:00 Intro
1:21 Forest trail at night
25:02 Shangxiahang Shopping area
57:48 commercial street
1:13:04 Day walk along the Minjiang River
1:42:48 Central Business Area
2:10:02 Night market

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