It is a pity that most visitors only go to Jinjiang, Fujian province for the fancy variety of sports shoes. Despite being better known as the country's "footwear capital", the city also boasts a traditional district that is well worth seeing.

The Wudianshi, or "Five Shops District", situated downtown, is a project that has relocated and renovated more than 100 traditional Song Dynasty (960-1279) and Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) buildings.

Legend has it that five restaurants ran by a family surnamed Cai in the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) boasting first-class dishes and service, made the city famous.

Other shops selling rice or offering goldsmith services, later opened near the restaurants and the area gradually evolved into a prosperous commercial block, acting as the city center until the Ming Dynasty.

Taking it's name from the legend, the project, which was launched in 2012, aims to resurrect and protect the city's cultural heritage, says Liu Wenru, mayor of Jinjiang.

Ambling down the road is like walking down the city's collective memory lane.

Almost all the traditional houses were built by huge granite slabs mixed with red brick in a seemingly irregular pattern, a distinctive style of southern Fujian architecture.

The centerpiece of the district is the Cai Family ancestral hall.

In honor of the family who operated the five restaurants, the hall spans a total area of 1,564 square meters.

It has a graceful swallowtail roof ridge that is dotted with intricate carvings of flowers and birds. Vivid brick sculptures of people and time-honored couplets are inscribed on pillars featuring vigorous cursive script.

Another interesting house pays tribute to a local monk who lived in the Ming Dynasty who invented a herbal tea called Wanying Tea, which helped many local folks cure their colds and flus.

The process of making the tea is exhibited by tea sellers in the house and you can taste a soothing cup of Wanying Tea for free. The slightly sweet brew is also said to be helpful in easing the summer's heat from your body.

If you are lucky, you may meet local troupes offering free performances in the district, enabling you to enjoy a Gaojia Opera, a local traditional drama featuring the clown characters, and a Jinjiang glove puppet show.

Ding Feng, an official involved in the Wudianshi project, says the city government plans to stage more shows in the district to present the local customs and culture in a more complete way and attract more tourists.

sunli@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 06/01/2014 page10)