Zhangzhou, Fujian Province

One of the lanes in the older section of town,
and a newer street flowing round a banyan tree.

Changes in Zhangzhou

The old lane ways in the centre of town are facinating to walk down,



however there is an extraordinary amount of new construction,
and the old buildings are disappearing fast.


But this section of town that is heritage listed by UNESCO.

Street cleaners

We see all sorts of interesting things from our apartment windows. Street cleaning has never been so fascinating.

Our apartment

Our apartment complex in reality,


and the marketer's mind!





And here is the interior of our home,
with furniture that has an eerie Franco Cozzo feel!

Local temples

Roger can see this temple from his office window. It doesn't appear on our map so I don't know its name. I recall it being Buddhist. Behind it's back wall is a tiny temple of a different religion.


Over the river is a large Buddhist temple called Nan Shan Si (South Mountain Temple). Its atmosphere is calm and reflective, and it has beautiful carving and sculpture.

Spring Festival

Spring Festival and Chinese New Year are the major celebration for the year. In 2007 Chinese New Year fell on the 18th of February, but there were preparations well before that, and the final day of the festival was not until the 4th of March. People travel home to be with their families, the streets are decorated, and, in Zhangzhou, it ended with a huge firework display.

Zhangzhou wildlife

Excuse the fuzzy photo, but here is a local resident. He was a good 200mm long not counting the tail.

At least he looks healthy!

And then, of course, there is dinner!