Flanked by mountains one side and ocean the other, a luxury escape in Fujian unveils quintessential Chinese landscapes. It’s also an intriguing mishmash of cultural influences. Listen out for different dialects as you travel the province and see the variation in opera styles from north to south. With the tea capital Anxi County in Fujian too, this province is full of eastern promise.
FOOD & DRINK
Being a coastal province, seafood features on menus throughout Fujian Province. In the capital – and in between meals – traditional kompyang are ideal sightseeing snacks. These balls of Chinese dough look a little like flat doughnuts or bagels. Don’t miss the opportunity to sample oolong or lapsang souchong from the source, either. Fujian has been famed for its teas for centuries, and taking part in a tea ceremony is an exclusive, unforgettable experience.
LANDMARKS
You can’t miss Fujian tulou. These preserved earthen buildings are characterised by their polo mint-shaped structure. Originally communal Hakka clan buildings and defensive strongholds, clusters of them are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Just as notable, and another UNESCO spot, is Mount Wuyi. Raw beauty, ruined temples and remarkable biodiversity makes this red-hued, riverside wonder top of most visitors’ itineraries. Be sure to squeeze in a Fujian temple trail as well – from Nánptuó near Xiamen to Kaiyuan in Quanzhou.
NATURE
Mount Wuyi is the star attraction, but natural beauty flows throughout Fujian Province. Discover deities on Meizhou Island, the legendary birthplace of the goddess Matsu and spend a day at the ocean on Gulangyu. Marvel at the awe-inspiring scenery in the Ningde UNESCO Geopark. Or get up close to the high points of Fujian’s topography at Mount Guanzhai and Mount Tamai, the ‘immortal mountain on the sea’. Lakes, springs, waterfalls and caves offer plenty more to explore.
When in Fuzhou, Fujian’s capital, wander through the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys to glimpse life in ancient China. If you look closely enough, you’ll see seashells embedded in the buildings’ bricks.
