Three Lanes and Seven Alleys

三坊七巷

The best-preserved Ming and Qing lane and alley district. 'Three Lanes and Seven Alleys hold half of modern Chinese history,' and the former homes of Lin Zexu, Yan Fu, Bing Xin and Lin Juemin are all here.

Three Lanes and Seven Alleys sits in the city center of Gulou District, with Nanhou Street as its central axis. The west side has three lanes: Yijin, Wenru and Guanglu. The east side has seven alleys: Yangqiao, Langguan, Ta, Huang, Anmin, Gong and Jibi. The district took shape in the Jin and Tang dynasties and was defined in the Ming and Qing. It preserves over 200 historic residences and is the only surviving living fossil of China's old urban ward system. Many notable figures came from here, including Lin Zexu, Shen Baozhen, Yan Fu, Lin Juemin, Bing Xin and Lin Huiyin, which is why it is said to hold half of modern Chinese history. Highlights include the time-honored shops and creative stores along Nanhou Street. The former residences of Lin Juemin and Bing Xin (Lin Juemin wrote 'Letter to My Wife' there, and it was later Bing Xin's childhood home), the Yan Fu residence, the Water Pavilion opera stage, Xiaohuang Building and Erméi Study are also here. Some exhibition halls are free, while others require a combined ticket costing about 100 yuan. Most visitors only need the free sections. In Wenru Lane and Gong Alley you can see horse-saddle walls and gray plaster gateways. The small eateries sell fish balls, rou yan (meat-stuffed rolls) and guobian hu (rice paste). Entry is free. Visit in the morning or evening to avoid the crowds. Take Metro Line 1 and exit at Dongjiekou Station. The Lin Zexu Memorial Hall and Wushan Hill are within walking distance. During holidays the crowds are huge, and visits to historic houses are limited. Nanhou Street is quite commercial, while the deeper lanes are quieter. Two to three hours covers the main sights, and history lovers may want a half day.

Three Lanes and Seven Alleys

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