Fujian

Fujian

Fujian Province (Min for short) is located on the southeast coast of China, with Fuzhou as the provincial capital. It was one of the earliest provinces to open for foreign trade in the national history. As early as in Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), Fujian has begun the overseas business. Fujian is one of the major hometowns of overseas Chinese, keep a history of emigration and settlement abroad as long as 1,200 years from the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Up to now the number of overseas Chinese of Fujian origin is over 10 million distributing about 160 countries and regions in the world.

Fujian faces Taiwan Province across the Taiwan Straits and adjoins Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Guangdong on the northeast, northwest and southwest respectively. Its territory includes 121,400 square kilometers (75,434 square miles) of land and 136,300 square kilometers (84,693 square miles) of sea. Its coastline stretches 3,324 kilometers (2,065 miles). Encompassing 1,401 islands of different sizes, Fujian is a vital navigation hub between the East China Sea and the South China Sea. It is one of the Chinese provinces closest to Southeast Asia, West Asia, East Africa and Oceania.

Although it is a coastal region, 80 percent of Fujian is covered with mountains and hilly areas. Plains are concentrated in its southeast coastal areas. Fujian has a sub-tropical climate, warm and humid, with no distinctive difference between seasons. It has a mean annual temperature of 17-21 degrees Centigrade (62.6 - 69.8 degrees Fahrenheit).

As a multi-ethnic province, there are total 54 ethnic groups in Fujian, according to the statistic information of the fifth National census in 2000. Among the ethnic minority groups, the She minority has the biggest population of 375,200. Still, Fujian is the province in mainland which has the largest population of the Gaoshan minority and also the birthplace of the Hui minority.

The main traditional specialties are the Oolong Tea, orange of Zhangzhou, longan of Jinjiang, lacquer ware of Fuzhou, porcelain of Dehua, stone carving of Shoushan and woodcarving of Quanzhou. Min Cuisine (Fujian Cuisine) is one of the Eight Great Cuisines in China, emphasizing seafood, river fish, and shrimp. The most characteristic aspect of Fujian Cuisine is that its dishes are served in soup.

Fujian is blessed with a rich history, famous historical sites and beautiful natural landscapes, making it a unique tourist attraction. Its numerous tourist attractions include mountains, rivers and well-known cities including Quanzhou and Xiamen. These scenic resorts, such as Wuyi Mountain, Kaiyuan Temple and Meihua Natural Reserve are ideal places for enjoying the charms of nature, making holidays and conducting scientific explorations. In addition, Fujian has a host of gardens, parks and hot springs of different types.