China Travel Guide: 10 facts about Fujian

Fujian is blessed with a rich history, famous historical sites, and beautiful natural landscapes. These make Fujian a unique tourist destination. In our collaboration with the Fujian Provincial Tourism Bureau, we propose an in-depth look at some places, facts and important historical figures related to this special province to give you a better understanding of where its culture comes from.

1. Fujian, the Museum of World Religions

Fujian, the core area of 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, boasts diverse cultures and religions. Quanzhou's Qingjing Mosque, built by the Arabic Muslims, is the oldest Islamic temple in China. Islamic Tomb in Lingshan Hill is the oldest and intact relic of an Islamic Saint in China. Cao'an Temple is the only intact Manichaeism relic, where the unique stone-carved Manichaeist statue is situated and worshipped. Konghai Master, the famous Japanese senior monk, landed on Xiapu County of Fujian in 804 A.C.(the Tang Dynasty) and studied Buddhism in China; after he returned, he created Shingon Sect of Buddhism. In early 17th Century, Yinyuan Master, a monk of the 32nd generation in Huangbo Temple of Fuqing City, emigrated to Japan and created Huangbo Sect. Fan Chuan Pu Church, built in 1864 in Fuzhou City, was the biggest Church then in southern China.

The land of Fujian embraces Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism, and Christianity.

 

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2. The Biggest Eastern Port, Where Marco Polo enjoyed himself 

"Travels of Marco Polo" written by Marco Polo, the famous Italian traveller, introduced China and Central Asia to medieval Europe. In 1292, Marco Polo visited Quanzhou City of Fujian whose bustle and luxury shocked him. Quanzhou was acclaimed by him as "The Biggest Eastern Port", paralleling Egyptian Alexandria Port. As one of 4 big ports in ancient China, Quanzhou was the starting point of the renowned "Maritime Silk Road." Nowadays, the city retains plenty of relics of the Silk Road and enjoys the reputation of "Cultural Capital in East Asia."

 

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3. Zhu Xi, The Cultural Landmark After Confucius

Wuyi Mountain, sitting in northern Fujian at 25° north latitude, boasts sites of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage and incredible biological diversity. Confucius shone in the Spring and Autumn Period (770B.C.-476 B.C.) and Zhu Xi in the late Song Dynasty (1130-1200 A.C.). Zhu Xi had lived, wrote and taught in Wuyi Mountain for over 40 years. Wuyi witnessed the inception and development of his Confucianism. His philosophy dominated in East Asia and South-east Asia for centuries and influenced a large part of the world. After Confucius, he was the greatest thinker, philosopher, and educator, exemplifying Confucianism.

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4. Mazu, Giving Blessings to the World

Born 1000 more years ago (The Song Dynasty), Mazu was a fisherman's girl whose surname was Lin and given name was Mo, Mo meaning silence as she did not cry for 30 days from her birth. In her lifetime she rescued the desperately poor and helped those who went through hardship. Twenty-eight-year-old she died in an accident while rescuing fishermen. Her village folks worshipped her as a peace goddess protecting fishermen, sailors, women, and children. With the spreading worship of 1000 more years, Mazu boasts 200 million worshippers around the world. There are 6000 more Mazu's temples dotting major continents. The temple in Meizhou Island of Putian City is the origin of all other temples, acclaimed "Eastern Mekka." The belief of Mazu has been listed as the World Intangible Heritage.

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5. Prof. Pan Willian, 20-year Ties with Xiamen University

In 1988, Mr Pan Willian, a Doctor of Management from the USA, moved with his family to Xiamen and started teaching at Xiamen University. Not only he was the first foreign teacher for an MBA program in a Chinese Universities, but he was also the first foreigner to enjoy the right of permanent residency in Xiamen and Fujian. With his great affection, his long-term commitment and worldwide promotion of Xiamen and Fujian. His books about tourism of Gulangyu, Xiamen, Quanzhou, and Fujian were acclaimed and welcomed in the English world.

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6. Fujian's Tea, Trigger of The War for American Independence

As the place of origin of black tea, Wuyi Mountain boasted well-known Lapsang souchong. In 1773, when the Boston Tea Party broke out, 342 tons of tea from Wuyi Mountain were dumped into the sea. It was a blasting fuse of American Revolutionary War. Thus Fujian's tea was directly related to American Independence.

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7. Wuyi Mountain Tea, Giving a new flavour to Europe

China is home to tea and drinking tea has been prevailing since the Tang Dynasty. In 1638, along with trade route of thousands of miles stretching from Xia Mei Village at the foot of Wuyi Mountain to Russian Kyakhta, the tea was traded to Europe and became a fad in European aristocracy. In 1662, the Portugal Princess, Catherine, brought Lapsang souchong, the black tea from Wuyi Moutain into British royalty. Since then, Lapsang souchong has become the most well-known black tea internationally. 

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8. Fujian Tulou, A legend of UFO-like Buildings

These earthen buildings bear a legendary epic of ancient Hakka's migration. Started over 1000 years ago, during the period of the Song and Yuan Dynasties. Longyan City and Zhangzhou City alone boast over 10 thousand Tulous, 46 of which are listed as the World Cultural Heritage. Built with soil and bamboo, they are in shape of circle, square, semi-circle or octagon. They look like UFOs or mushrooms from above and American satellites mistook them for Chinese missiles launching silos. The Tulou is the epitome of "Harmony between Big Family and Small Society", in the biggest one of which, more than 1000 people reside, representing 6 generations.

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9. Kuling, Where Gardner's Dream Realized by Xi Jinping

Incumbent Chinese President, Xi Jinping, had ever worked in Fujian for more than 17 years and Fujian became his second hometown. In 2012, when visiting the United States, he told a story about Kuling, the ridge area of Drum Mountain in Fuzhou. Milton Gardner, a professor of Physics in California, spent his unforgettable childhood with his father in Kuling. Sixty years since then, he had been suffering from amnesia. In his last days, he kept murmuring about "Kuling"; afterwards, Joyner and his wife kept looking for this unknown place in China. As Xi Jinping, then Secretary of Fuzhou Municipal Committee of the CPC got knowledge of her search, he warmly invited her to visit Kuling. She finally found the place mentioned by his husband. This was a praised deed of friendship between the Chinese and the United States People.

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10. Xiamen, A Picturesque and Refreshing Garden City

In September 2017, the Ninth BRICS Summit was held successfully in Xiamen. At the welcoming banquet of the Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping, with deep affection, recalled his days in Xiamen: "In 1985, 32 years ago, I came to Xiamen for working as the Deputy Mayor of Xiamen City. The inaugural date was my 32nd birthday. Now 32 years another has flown by." 

Xiamen, a charming and elegant "Garden on the Sea", bears South Fujian glamour and boasts exotic buildings. Its Gulangyu Isle, another World Cultural Heritage site, marks over 1000 more buildings with multiple foreign styles. It is called "The Expo Garden of International Buildings", and ranks at the top of the Chinese per capita piano number. From this, the name "Islet of Piano". On the Islet, vehicles are banned, except of course for the fire department and first aid ambulance. All the other people regardless of social status or wealth travel by foot. 

To discover more about this great city give a look to our Xiamen travel guide.

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We also suggest you to visit www.travelfujian.com to learn more about Fujian, its history, beautiful cities and natural landscapes.