Fujian: Where Mountains Meet the Sea, with Lingering Charm of Min Culture

Fujian Province, abbreviated as “Min,” is located on the southeast coast of China, connecting the East China Sea and the South China Sea, and faces Taiwan across the Taiwan Strait. Its capital is Fuzhou. This land is blessed with abundant natural resources, boasting a forest coverage rate of 65.12%, ranking first in China for 46 consecutive years—a proud testament to its ecological excellence.

Rich Historical Heritage, Diverse and Brilliant Culture

Fujian’s history dates back 180,000 years, with evidence of ancient human activity in the Wanshouyan area of Sanming. Subsequent Keqiutou Culture (circa 6,500 years ago) and Tanshishan Culture (circa 5,000 years ago) together sketch the ancient civilization of Fujian.

Throughout its long history, Fujian has nurtured a captivating diversity of regional cultures:

· Zhuzi Culture (profoundly influential Neo-Confucian philosophy)

· Minnan Culture (centered in Quanzhou and Xiamen)

· Hakka Culture (concentrated in Longyan and Sanming)

· Mazu Culture (originating in Meizhou Island, Putian)

· Mindu Culture (centered in Fuzhou)

This land has produced numerous illustrious figures, including Zhu Xi, Zheng Chenggong, Lin Zexu, Yan Fu, Chen Jiageng, Bing Xin, and Chen Jingrun, whose names shine brightly in history.

Majestic Landscapes, Picturesque Scenery

Fujian is exceptionally rich in tourism resources, boasting five World Heritage Sites, making it one of China’s provinces with the most diverse types of World Heritage. These include:

· Wuyi Mountain: A UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage site, renowned for its typical Danxia landform and meandering Nine-Bend Stream, offering a breathtaking experience of “crystal waters and crimson mountains.”

· Fujian Tulou (Yongding·Nanjing): A UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, these unique Hakka residential buildings astonish visitors with their grand scale and rich cultural significance.

· Gulangyu Island: A UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, known as the “Museum of International Architecture,” with a strong musical atmosphere, earning it the title “Island of Pianos.”

· Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China: A UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, witnessing Quanzhou’s glorious history as a pivotal starting point of the ancient Maritime Silk Road.

· Taining Danxia: Famous for its spectacular “water-enveloped Danxia” landscape.

Other must-visit destinations include:

· Fuzhou’s Three Lanes and Seven Alleys (a museum of Ming and Qing architecture and home to many historical figures)

· Putian’s Meizhou Island (the birthplace of Mazu culture and a pilgrimage site)

· Ningde’s Baiyang Scenic Area (featuring the world’s unique shallow water square)

· Pingtan Island (attracting countless tourists with its “blue tears” phenomenon and unique sea erosion landscapes)

A Culinary Journey, Delighting the Palate

Fujian’s cuisine is as diverse and vibrant as its culture, featuring distinct local flavors:

· Lianjiang Seafood锅边 (Bianhuang): A signature dish from Lianjiang County, Fuzhou. Rice batter is thinly fried and cooked with fresh oysters, shrimp, squid, and dozens of other ingredients, resulting in an incredibly flavorful soup, often enjoyed as a breakfast staple by locals.

· Quanzhou’s土笋冻 (Tusundong): Not made from bamboo shoots but from a type of marine worm called “starworm,” boiled and cooled into a jelly-like dish. Served with garlic sauce, it offers a chewy and refreshing taste, representing Quanzhou’s iconic street food.

· A Tea Lover’s Paradise: Fujian is the birthplace of Oolong tea, black tea, white tea, and jasmine tea, with the highest output value in the tea industry nationwide. Sipping a pot of Anxi Tieguanyin, Wuyi Rock Tea (Da Hong Pao), or Zhengshan Xiaozhong is an essential part of experiencing Fujian’s lifestyle.

· Other Delicacies: Fuzhou’s “Buddha Jumps Over the Wall,” fish balls, and rouyan (meat wrappers); Xiamen’s shacha noodles and stuffed pastries; Zhangzhou’s braised noodles; and a variety of seafood feasts across the region collectively form Fujian’s unforgettable culinary system.

Fujian is a land of natural beauty, profound history, diverse culture, and vibrant energy. Whether exploring the charm of World Heritage sites, savoring the delicacies bestowed by its mountains and seas, or experiencing the open pulse of its overseas Chinese heritage, Fujian promises an unforgettable journey. Welcome to Fujian to personally experience its unique allure—where “mountains meet the sea, with the lingering charm of Min culture.”