A Weekend Shopping Spree in Fuzhou with Your Bestie

Day 1: An Artistic Journey Intertwined with Ancient Charm and Lively Atmosphere Morning: A Journey Through Time in Sanfang Qixiang We started our adventure at the Love Tree in Nanhou Street, a cultural landmark of Fuzhou. We also collected all nine unique stamps at the "Cat's Sky City" bookstore as a souvenir. The former residences of Bing Xin and the Lin Zexu Memorial Hall tucked away in the alleys tell stories of old Fuzhou. For lunch, we headed straight to Tongli Rouyan Laopu and ordered a steaming bowl of Rouyan (meat-filled wontons) with taro paste, savoring the authentic flavors of Mindu cuisine. Afternoon: A Spring Stroll in West Lake Park We then moved to West Lake Park, where we enjoyed a boat ride on the lake and admired the blooming peach blossoms along the willow embankment (best viewed from March to April). Taking photos under the white peach trees gave us an ethereal vibe, and finally, my bestie's Hanfu and round fan props came in handy. The giant banyan trees in the park provided natural shade as we lay on the grass and shared the Qing Jasmine (glutinous rice balls) we bought from Xianfeng Morning Market. They were sweet but not too rich. Evening: Night Scenery and Market at Shangxiahang As dusk began to fall, we rushed to Shangxiahang Road, where the red lanterns of the old houses lit up one after another, and the water mist and light show by the Sanjie River was breathtakingly beautiful. We spent over 88 yuan at the "Hangsi" cultural and creative store to get a "Blessed Fuzhou" round fan and even won a blind bag of jasmine sachets. For dinner, we chose Fa Ji Food Stalls, where the sweet and sour taste of the stir-fried "Double Crisp" dish made us exclaim, "Hu Jiu Wei (delicious)!" Day 2: A Fusion of Modern and Natural Experiences Morning: Retro Photoshoot at Yantaishan We headed straight to Cangshan Yantaishan. Although the ginkgo trees at the Stone House Church were not yet golden, the red brick walls and Gothic spires were picturesque enough. At the coffee shop converted from "Miss Zhao's Shop" homestay, we ordered Jasmine Latte and spent half an hour filming a vlog against the backdrop of the old-fashioned decorations. Noon: European Style at Zhongzhou Island Crossing the Jiefang Bridge, the beige buildings of Zhongzhou Island made us feel like we were in Budapest. We took turns jumping and taking photos in front of the "I Love Fuzhou" graffiti wall at Youth Square, and rode shared bikes along the Jiangbin Road, chasing the wind. The cargo ships on the river and the CBD on the opposite bank formed a fascinating contrast. Afternoon: Shopping Spree at Baolong Mixc We then shifted to the shopping district. A visit to the popular dessert shop "ITEAMO" in Mixc was a must. We had matcha mille-feuille with cold brew tea, and my bestie teased me, saying I was "paying for the ambiance." We unexpectedly discovered a DIY workshop on the fourth floor and collaborated on making a lacquerware jewelry box. Even clumsy hands like ours could experience a sense of accomplishment. Meixiyueshe Xunfuguand (Sanfang Qixiang East Street Entrance Subway Station)