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Shangshudi, commonly known as "Wufutang," is located in Futang Lane, Shengli Second Street, in Taining County, Fujian Province. It was built during the Tianqi period (1621-1627) by Li Chunye, the Minister of War and Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty. Its meticulously planned architecture makes it the largest and best-preserved Ming Dynasty residence in Fujian. It is a designated a third-tier National Key Cultural Relics Protection Site. Residents use Ming Dynasty wells for daily drinking, with reign titles such as "Longqing" and "Wanli" inscribed on the well rings. Shangshudi also houses a wax museum and a folk museum. The entire residence is meticulously planned and magnificent.
The Shangshu Residence faces east, measuring 87 meters from north to south and 60 meters from east to west, covering an area of over 5,220 square meters. The corridor in front of the courtyard features two entrances, one at the north end and the other at the south end. The northern entrance houses a ceremonial hall and a reception room. The corridor features five gatehouses, and stone plaques are embedded in the door lintels throughout the residence. Starting from the south end, they are inscribed with the words "Shangshu Residence," "Zhuguo Shaobao," "Four Generations of First Rank," "Limen," "Yilu Xingchen," "Yiguang Riyue," and "Dujian." The purlins and capitals of the plaques are intricately carved with various designs. A pair of drum-shaped stone pillars, 2 meters high and 0.92 meters wide, are placed on the stone steps leading to the entrance. The drum bases are carved with lions playing with a ball, clouds and dragons, and flowers. The gate piers and wall bases are intricately carved with designs such as lotus steps, lotus skirts, and bamboo columns.
The main residence consists of five buildings and eight auxiliary buildings, arranged in a row along a corridor with five entrances. Excluding the main hall, patio, and corridor, there are over 120 rooms, all constructed of brick, stone, and wood. Each main house has three entrances. The central hall utilizes the reduced-column-and-beam construction method. The wooden columns are massive, 0.45 meters in diameter, with their capitals projecting from two-sided brackets supporting the beams. The octagonal foundation stones are carved with designs such as qilins, brocade elephants, and lotus petals, and carved flat drum stones are placed between the column bases. The corridors, courtyards, corridors, and patio are all paved with granite slabs. The main hall has square brick floors, and the patio features carved stone pillars, flower stands, and stone water tanks.
The subtropical monsoon climate is suitable for all seasons.
Wax Museum, Folk Museum.
It is recommended to play for about 2 hours.
15 yuan/person
08:30-17:30
Shangshudi is a renowned natural site in Fujian, known for its rich biodiversity and scenic beauty. It is also historically significant for its ancient temples and traditional Chinese cultural heritage, attracting visitors interested in both nature and history.
Shangshudi is located in Sanming, Fujian. The most convenient way to reach the site is by taxi or private car. Public transportation options may be limited, but buses and walking can be used for the final part of the journey.
The site is open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The best time to visit is during the spring and autumn months when the weather is cool and pleasant, offering ideal conditions for exploring the park.
The entrance fee is approximately 50 CNY. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance or through local online platforms for convenience.
Booking tickets in advance is not necessary, but it is recommended during peak seasons (holidays or weekends) to avoid long wait times.
A visit to Shangshudi typically takes around 2-3 hours, allowing enough time to enjoy the natural beauty and cultural sites.
Guided tours are available in Mandarin. Audio guides may also be available in Chinese. It's recommended to check in advance for foreign language options.
Start at the entrance and walk through the main trail that leads to the temples and natural viewpoints. Take your time at the lakes and then explore the quieter areas for a relaxing experience.
Currently, night visits or light shows are not available. The site is best visited during the day to enjoy the natural scenery and cultural highlights.
The park can get crowded during weekends and public holidays. To avoid the crowds, visit on weekdays early in the morning or during the off-season.
The park is moderately accessible, but some trails may be challenging for elderly or disabled visitors. It’s best to stick to the main paths that are paved or relatively flat.
Cash, as well as mobile payment options such as Alipay and WeChat Pay, are accepted. Credit cards may not be accepted at all locations.
Vegetarian food is available, and some restaurants in Sanming offer halal options. However, options within the park are more limited.
Souvenir shops are available at the entrance, selling items such as local handicrafts, traditional clothing, and forest-themed trinkets.
