Jinyu Alley

Jinyu Alley is a charming traditional alleyway typical of southern Fujian, bordering the moat of Luocheng to the south and connected to Zhongshan Road, the Ancient School and the Confucius Temple to the east. The buildings lining the alley include five historical residences of renowned scholars, three restaurants serving traditional southern Fujian cuisine, and a historical ancestral hall. Quanzhou People’s Movie Theater, associated with childhood memories of many Quanzhou residents, previously stood at the mouth of the alley. Stretching about 270 meters, the alley is bustling with people and activity.  

During the Northern Song Dynasty, Fujian Transport Commissioner Xie Zhonggui built a house here. As a third-rank official, he was presented with a purple bag with a golden-fish (Jinyu in Chinese) design under the Tang-Song bureaucratic system. Later generations hung a plaque inscribed with the characters “Jinyu Mansion” on the house. Legend has it that in the centuries following the completion of the house, the neighborhood produced many notable figures, hence the name “Jinyu” for the alley. Jinyu Alley is not only a showcase of Quanzhou’s traditional architectural techniques, but also a symbol of the city’s cultural vitality. Visitors can get a taste of authentic Quanzhou dishes and experience the rich culture of the city. The alley is an embodiment of Quanzhou’s “Old Town Preservation 3.0”, which emphasizes immersive experience for visitors featuring “see people, see object, see life”.