Once the most affluent neighbourhood in Fuzhou, Sanfang Qixiang, which translates to Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, holds an important place in Chinese history as the home of politicians, industrialists, ideologists and great literary writers. Now, it’s a Fuzhou tourist attraction with Ming and Qing dynasty buildings that have been lovingly preserved and house handsome teahouses, mini-museums and hotels.

Just a 20-minute train ride from downtown Fuzhou, this impressive Taoist temple grips to the peaceful Shizhushan mountain. You’ll need to hike three-quarters of the way up the mountain, catching your breath at the various viewpoints, temples and pagodas, before climbing 3,000-stairs to reach the religious site.

There’s nothing better than the mineral-rich waters of a natural hot spring, which are not only relaxing but also offer therapeutic and medicinal benefits too. In Fuzhou, they’re often channeled into man-made swimming pools, which can be accessed through hotels and guesthouses, or you can visit the Fuzhou Hotspring Park to soak amid the greenery.

More than 400-years-old, Min Opera is a folkloric drama based on ancient legends about wars and romance sung in the Fuzhou dialect and accompanied by traditional flutes, drums, gongs and chime stones. Buy tickets to a show at the Fujian Fuzhou Great Theatre, and support a local art form.

This sprawling garden was built over 1700 years ago in the Jin Dynasty, although many of its pagodas and buildings around the lake were added later. Wander around the neatly groomed peach trees, willows and landscaped flower beds to see why West Lake Park has been a source of inspiration for poets and painters for centuries.

Southwest of the city is the Qi Shan Mountain Forest Park, where two granite peaks: the Qishan Mount and Drum Hill face each other. They’re both coated with ancient trees — at their most beautiful in the Autumn — and rushing waterfalls. Hike through the mountains, where wooden boardwalks, bridges and steep steps take you to breathtaking viewpoints and relaxing hot springs.

A Fuzhou holiday wouldn’t be complete without visiting the city’s White Pagoda (Bai Ta) and Black Pagoda (Wu Ta). Bai Ta stands on the western slope of Yu Hill, and at 41 meters high, is the tallest ancient building in Fuzhou, while Wu Ta on the southern slope of Wu Hill is constructed from a dramatic dark-gray granite. Both pagodas, however, boast epic views over the city.

Bodiless lacquerware has more than 1,000 years of history - a delicate art form developed in Fuzhou that’s considered to be one of the "three treasures" of traditional Chinese crafts with Beijing cloisonné and Jingdezhen porcelain. It’s made using linen, gold and silver and often involves several different processes to create the finished product.

Fuzhou cuisine is famous for its light but flavourful plates of food that place emphasis on umami flavours, called xianwei in Chinese cooking, all served with a bowl of soup. But it’s the region’s street food and snacks — Fuzhou fish balls, dumplings, oyster cakes and pork floss — that are commonly the best just outside of the city.

Fukuoka’s street food culture centres around its yatai – open-air food stalls which line the streets when dusk falls and open through to around 2am. Space is limited so it’s best not to linger: instead go yatai-hopping and sample Hakata ramen, grilled chicken skewers, oden stew and more all in the same night. Keep an eye out for Hakata Yatai Bar Ebichan, which serves up some 60 different cocktails from its tiny stall.

A stroll through Maizuru Park – just 15 minutes from the city centre – offers enviable views of the Fukuoka Castle ruins, one of the most impressive Fukuoka attractions. Time your visit to coincide with cherry blossom season (between March and April) to experience the park in its sakura-strewn glory.

This serene shrine, surrounded by bright plum trees, is a must-visit Fukuoka attraction for those in search of a little downtime. Just 30 minutes from the city centre, sitting at the end of a path lined with quaint shops on both sides, Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines. It’s dedicated to the Shinto god of education – so you can join the students who visit to pray for success in their exams.

If you have a sweet tooth and a love of the rails, the Aru Ressha is a must-do when you visit Fukuoka. The “Sweet Train”, as it’s better known, runs between Fukuoka and a variety of locales – but it’s the journey that’s the real destination here. Step inside the opulent wood-panelled interior and you’ll be served a five-course meal created by celebrity chef Yoshihiro Narisawa – including four elaborate desserts, which give the train its nickname.

Some of Fukuoka’s best shopping destinations are located in Hakata, in the centre of the city. Tenjin Underground Mall is the perfect place for a bit of rainy-day retail: this collection of boutiques, concept stores and cafes stretches along a network of cobbled streets underneath the city. A short walk away, Canal City Hakata boasts not only shops, but also a movie theatre, an arcade and dozens of restaurants. After a hard day’s shopping, refuel at the complex’s Ramen Stadium on the 5th floor, which features eight ramen shops each focusing on a regional version of the dish.

The Hakata Machiya Folk Museum is the ideal kind of museum: informative, but compact. Located in a two-storey townhouse, it allows visitors to Fukuoka to step back in time and experience the city’s history through a series of folk culture exhibitions and displays of artifacts from the Meiji and Taisho eras. Grab a souvenir in the form of traditional Hakata crafts and sweets to take home.

Just an hour from Fukuoka lies the Itoshima peninsula, a popular getaway for the city’s urbanites. Popular attractions include the Torii Gate – a striking white structure erected right on the shoreline – as well as the Kayasan rice fields, with views of Mt Kayasan in the distance. For something special in the colder months, visit the kakigoya oyster huts which pop up along the coast: locals gather here to barbecue fresh oysters and seafood in the oyster season, from October to late March.

From December to May, Fukuoka’s fields fill with red as strawberry season enters full swing. The prefecture is known for the fruit, particularly the Amaou species – literally “sweet king” – because they’re bigger and more honeyed than their regional counterparts. Many fruit farms in Fukuoka offer strawberry picking tours as well as jam-making classes – resulting in a delicious souvenir that makes it one of the best things to do in Fukuoka.

A 45-minute bus ride from the city centre and a 10-minute ferry ride leads you to the near-isolated island of Nokonoshima, one of the best Fukuoka attractions. Expect peace, quiet and beautiful views of Fukuoka city in the distance. The fields are full of more than 30 types of seasonal flowers, meaning that something is always in bloom.

The hot spring resort of Yufuin lies about two and a half hours by train from Fukuoka, and it’s well worth an overnight stay at one of the plentiful hot spring ryokan inns in the area. Many ryokans offer their guests private sessions, so they’re able to enjoy the hot spring baths in secluded peace. After an evening soaking in the onsen, get up early and beat the crowd to visit Lake Kinrin, revered for its morning mist.