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Fuzhou Travel Guide
Books written in monks' blood, root carvings, and tea-sipping in a cave are just some of the activities and idiosyncrasies of Fuzhou, the birthplace of the famous martial arts, Karate. The famous Italian traveler Marco Polo once visited this Fujian provincial capital, which used to be China's biggest tea exporter in the 19th century. Today, Fuzhou is also dubbed the "City of Banyans" since many banyan trees dot the landscape, along with a fair number of cultural and historical sites.
First impressions might suggest that Fuzhou is just like any other Chinese metropolis, with its paved streets, well-manicured lawns, high rises and a legitimate share of pollution, but upon getting deeper into it, the traveler may find out that its culture differs from mainstream Chinese culture. Fuzhou has its own dialect, which is the basis of the local Min opera, a collection of over 1000 dramas drawn from historical novels, ancient legends and folktales. Fuzhou's cuisine highlights the umami taste on fresh vegetable and seafood dishes, which make the city's cooking style one of Fujian's four culinary traditions.
Horn combs, paper umbrellas, and Wu Yi's bodiless lacquer ware constitute the "three treasures" of Fuzhou traditional arts. Shoushan stone, found in Shou Shan, is a unique variety of alabaster used to make beautiful carvings known as a "Super Excellence of Fuzhou," along with cork pictures, root carvings and bamboo arts.
A Taoist temple, Gu Shan (Drum Mountain) keeps historical annals written in monks' blood. It is a 1900-meter climb or a 20-minute journey by cable car. Nearby is Bai Yun Shan, a cave that is a renowned teahouse.
South China's oldest-surviving wooden building is the main hall of Hualin Temple, a national heritage site built during the Song Dynasty. A cluster of ancient residential buildings from the late Jin dynasty are found in Sanfang Qixiang. These include the temples Dizang, Xichan and Yongquan, founded from 527 to 915 AD.
For recreation, there is West Lake as well as parks like Senlin, Zuohai, Fuzhou National Forest Park, and Qin Shan, a forest with mountains, waterfalls, a suspension bridge, and areas for feeding wild monkeys. Overlooking the main square is Wu Shan hilltop, where musicians and singers practice their performances. The hilltop leads to Bai Ta (White Pagoda), which contrasts with Wu Ta (Black Pagoda). A great place to eat Yu Wan (fish balls), Ban Mian (noodles with peanut sauce) and other Fuzhou street delicacies may be found in Wu Yi Guang Chang, the central square where karate was founded and where the martial art is still performed every weekend.
Fuzhou Landmarks:
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