Fujian Geography
Situated at China’s southeast coast, Fujian Province lies west of Taiwan Province. Separated only by a strip of water, Fujian and Taiwan are regarded as sister province as their people are joined by ties of blood and similar dialects. The province covers an area of over 120,000 square kilometres and has a population of 34.71 million (2006) of Han, She, Hui, Miao, Man and Gaoshan nationalities. The province capital is Fuzhou.

Location of Fujian Province

Climate of Fujian Province
Fujian has a mild and humid climate. Its mean temperature in the coldest month of January is 5°C (41°F) in the northwest and 12°C (53.6°F) in the southeast. In the hottest month of July, it has an average temperature of 25°C.-30°C (77°F - 86°F). Fujian has abundant rainfall with an average annual precipitation of 800-1,900 mm, Summer and autumn is the typhoon season, which usually brings with it torrential rain.

Fujian Local Produce
Numerous varieties of flowers and fruits abound in Fujian, its longan production ranks first in the country. Lichee, orange, banana, loquat, pineapple and olive are also widely grown. Of all the flowers and plants in Fujian, well-known Zhangzhou narcissuses come first on the list, and sword-leave cymbidium is a close second. A major producer of dried bamboo shoots; mushroom, silver agaric, rosin and herb medicine in the country, Fujian is also one of the major tea-producing provinces in China. Chongan Wuyiyan tea, Anxi Tieguanyin, Fuzhou jasmine tea and Fu’an black tea are all very famous. Fishery is very much developed along the coast. Its lancelet is world-famous while its sea clam is widely regarded as a delicacy. Fujian boasts numerous traditional handicraft items, such as bodiless lacquer ware, shoushan stone carving, cork carving, Dehua porcelain, Xiamen pearl embroidery, Quanzhou puppets, Zhangzhou cotton picture and Yongchun lacquer basket.

A Brief History of Fujian Province
Fujian is called “Min” for short, which derived from the name of Minzhongjun Prefecture set up by the First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty some two thousand years ago after ha had unified China. Five prefectures including the Prefectures of Fuzhou and Jianzhou were set up during the Tang Dynasty. In 733 A.D., the first character of these two prefectures were used to name a newly-established military command, hence the name of Fujian, which has since been in use. The period of the Tang Song and Yuan Dynasties saw rapid development in Fujian. It was during this period that Quanzhou became a major trading part in China. It was also in that period that Fujian saw the flourishing of culture and literature. Many of the Province’s grand and elegant ancient buildings were built during that period. Fujian was officially proclaimed a province in both the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Fujian Tourist Attractions
Fuzhou, Xiamen, Quanzhou and Zhangzhou are already open to foreign tourists. Among them, Quanzhou has been listed a famous historic and cultural city.

The province capital of Fuzhou is a city with many historical monuments. Surrounded by mountains, Fuzhou is also a beautiful city astride the Minjiang River. The Drum Hill suburban Fuzhou affords fine views of both the sea and river, and is an ideal scenic spot for outing.

The charming coastal city of Xiamen is famous for its mild climate and exuberant flora. Gulangyu, a hilly islet to the west of the city, fascinates people with its attractive hillocks and grotesque rocks. From the hilltop is a sea of red-tiled houses built on slope in ties, green trees and bright-coloured flowers. No wonder it is called “a garden on the sea” and “an island of music”. A highest point on the islet, the Sunshine Rock, commands a good view of the sea and the city. In Xiamen, other monuments worth visiting are the Southern Putuo Temple, Jimei (a school village) and Aoyuan, where Tan Kan Kee, a prominent patriotic overseas Chinese, was buried.

Quanzhou, an ancient city, in Fujian, has many historical sites like the Kaiyuan Temple, built some 1,000 years ago, is well known for the 24 statues of flying musicians carved on pillars supporting the roof of its main hall. The upper part of the statue is that of a woman and lower part that of a bird, a masterpiece rarely seen in temple buildings across the country. The two pagodas in the temple built over 700 years ago are the largest stone pagodas in the country. Quanzhou’s Qingjing Mosque is one of the four oldest Islamic sites in the country. Fondly called “country of narcissuses” and “town of flowers and fruits”.

Zhangzhou is world famous for its lichee, banana, longan and narcissuses. Its narcissuses sell well in Southeast Asia and West Europe.

Mount Wuyi, listed among key scenic spots in the country, has been lavishly praised by poets ancient and modern alike. The view of its nine-zigzag stream and thirty-six peaks is just breathtaking. Tourists can either climb to the top of Mt. Wuyi to have a bird’s-eye view, or row down the stream on a bamboo raft to enjoy the scenery alongside the stream. With its picturesque mountain peaks and clear stream water, Mt. Wuyi provides an attractive escape from the city life.

Cuisine
Fujian cuisine is characterized by its delicate sauces and seasonings, its seafood variety, its punctilious selection of ingredients and its careful preparation. In Fujian, the dishes tend to be less oily, rare and spicy. The Juchunyuan Restaurant is one of Fuzhou’s famous restaurants, capable of fixing some two hundred famous dishes. First cooked with some 20 principal ingredients including sea cucumber, tendon, shark’s fin and abalone and over a dozen complementary ingredients through hundreds of processes and then brought, to a simmer in rice wine, the famous “Buddha jumps over wall” is tender, delicious, beautiful decorated and nutritious. Quanzhou’s Mantang Restaurant is widely acclaimed for its chef’s super skill. The Xinmiaoxuan in Xiamen is a specialty restaurant, where delicious yet light dishes are served fresh with sweet, sour and spicy sauce. The Southern Putuo Temple specializes in vegetarian dishes. Both restaurant are widely known in Southeast Asia.