The Wisdom of Fujianese

The Wisdom of Fujianese

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Photos from The Wisdom of Fujianese's post 18/07/2024

The Wisdom of Fujianese|City Portrait: Xiamen - Sea Garden, Open Land
Half of the romance in Xiamen comes from the sea and the sunrise. When the eastern horizon is adorned with orange, the sea reflects sparkling lights, and this beautiful coastal city wakes up in the bath of morning light.

Garden City, Born by the Sea
Xiamen, a vice-provincial city in Fujian Province, is one of the five special economic zones in China. It is also known as the Minnan Golden Triangle Economic Zone, along with Zhangzhou and Quanzhou. Xiamen is an important coastal city in Southeast China with a unique urban layout of "sea within the city, and the city on the sea."
An egret in flight, a line of poem in mind. Xiamen Island, also known as Egret Island, is named after the numerous egrets that have been nesting here since ancient times. Another saying suggests that it is named after the shape of the island, which resembles a white egret spreading its wings.
"A city like a flower leaning against a rock, with green mountains surrounding the sea." The fresh blue and pleasant green are the symbols of Xiamen, which has earned the reputation of being a "Garden City".
A white ferry sails from Xiamen Island, and the layers of greenery are magnified into exotic old Western-style buildings. Gulangyu Island has been blessed by history, preserving buildings of various Chinese and foreign styles, earning it the nickname “Exhibition of World Architecture”. Even today, it still exudes the grandeur and splendor of the past.

The poet Wang Guozhen, who is from Xiamen, described Gulangyu Island as “the moon is fragrant, the piano is bright, and the waves are passionate”. Gulangyu Island, also known as “Piano Island”, is filled with the melodious sound of pianos drifting through its alleys, as if it possesses a natural “romantic” quality. Not only does Gulangyu Island have the highest density of pianos per capita in China, but it is also home to the largest piano museum in Asia and the only one in China, located in the Shuzhuang Garden's “Tingtao Pavilion”.
The waters between Gulangyu Island and Xiamen Island are often filled with white egrets flying overhead, hence the name Egret River is called. Xiamen Port is located along the port coastline where the Egret River meets the sea. The port area is surrounded by mountains, with wide and deep waters that do not freeze all year round. It is one of the busiest ports in the world. Boating in the Xiamen Sea, it holds the memory treasure trove of the older generation of Xiamen people going out to make money.

Some say that the soul of Xiamen Port lies in Shapowei. Shapowei, a “living fossil” hidden in the city, has now been injected with the fresh blood of revival and has become a cultural and artistic destination in the hearts of young people. Craft beer, live music, handmade markets... it gathers the trendy elements of Xiamen city. Strolling through Shapowei, one can immerse themselves in a romantic experience where modern trends intertwine with a century-old history.
In recent years, Shapowei has attracted the filming of many movies, TV dramas, and TV programs such as "Take My Brother Away", "My Girlfriend Who Goes Off Early", "Emergency Rescue", "The Beginning", "Criminal Hunting Guide", "Under the Sun" and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", etc. Here, you will always encounter a sense of familiarity.
In the southern Fujian region, people rely on the mountains for food and the sea for seafood. Fried oysters are a common dish in the homes of the Minnan people. The oysters in Xiamen are particularly sweet and delicious. With the addition of sweet potato starch and fresh eggs, the crispy and chewy texture is delightful in the mouth. It is not difficult to find delicious fried oysters in the Bashi market.
The fluidity of seawater brings about the inclusiveness of cuisine. Sha Cha Noodles, a flavor originated from Southeast Asia. Southeast Asians call “Sha Cha” as “Sha Die”. “Sha Die” came to China across the sea, and because the pronunciation of “Cha” in Minnan dialect is similar to “Die”, it was renamed as “Sha Cha”. Xiamen Sha Cha Noodles, with its rich and unrestrained taste of the market, is a characteristic business card of Xiamen.
"The city is filled with autumn colors, and half is covered with flowers. In just one day, you can see all the flowers on Xiamen Island." After filling up on food and drink, you can ride along the coastal road or on the elevated bridge to see Xiamen's city flower - the purple-red bougainvillea climbing all over the streets, proudly displaying its passion."

The romance of Xiamen is divided between the sea and the sunset. Baicheng Beach is located near Huandao South Road, adjacent to Xiamen University, with convenient transportation. The sea stretches for hundreds of meters, with clear water and white sand. It is one of the top ten most beautiful beaches in Xiamen. As the curtain falls, the setting sun slowly approaches, and following the evening breeze, people arrive here. The evening glow sprinkles broken gold on the sea, and the sunset at Baicheng Beach makes people reluctant to leave.
Here, a "sand sculpture competition" is held every year, where children who have just learned to walk and elderly people with childlike innocence can show off their skills and build sand castles and carve out beautiful fairy tales in their hearts.

In the 1950s, Gaoji Seawall and Jixing Seawall were built successively. Gaoqi Seawall and Xinglin Seawall were connected by Jimei, forming a 5-kilometer-long corridor on the sea, hence the name “Ten Li Seawall” is called. With its nearby green spaces, beautiful sea and sky scenery, and the opening of Metro Line 1, Jimei District has transformed the Ten Li Seawall into the “Eye of Jimei”.
As the sun begins to set, one can take the Metro Line 1 to Jimei School Village. The metro with a sea view is passing through the sunset, and outside the window, there are sparkling orange waves, like the sunset sea in the brush of Hayao Miyazaki.
Wait for a natural sunny day and come to the Ten Li Seawall to listen to a youth concert. Young bands perform here, bringing melodious and pleasant music, accompanied by the unique background music of Xiamen's sunset. Bathed in the afterglow, sitting on the beach with friends, chatting on the grass, let the gentle sunset take away one’s fatigue of the day.

Xiamen, with its beautiful sea scenery, is truly a "highly attractive ecological garden city". Facing the sea and thriving on it, Xiamen is known for its picturesque coastal views and pleasant climate throughout the year. With its relaxed and happy lifestyle and open-mindedness, Xiamen attracts visitors from all over the world.
Culture continues for hundreds of years.
As a popular city today, Xiamen is not only known for its sunny beaches, red-brick ancient houses, and arcade villas, but also as a city rich in historical and cultural heritage. The people of Xiamen have developed a unique traditional culture through their lives and struggles on this land, including diverse Minnan folk culture, revolutionary culture that values sacrifice, and overseas Chinese culture that cherishes hometown and country.
The colorful flags on king boats in Xiamen bear the words “Dai Tian Xun Shou” (representing the emperor's inspection tour), “Bao Jing An Min” (protecting the country and its people), and “Feng Tiao Yun Shun” (favorable weather). This is a unique folk activity in Xiamen. The “Song Wang Ye” (sending the prince) is said to represent the emperor's inspection tour, symbolizing the emperor's tour around the country to reward the good and punish the evil. It embodies the good wishes of the people of Fujian to ward off evil, avoid disasters, and pray for blessings.

The “Facts and Stories of Fujian” records: In the southern part of Fujian, there is a custom of “snatching the champion cake” during the Mid-Autumn Festival. It is said that the tradition of playing dice games started in the early Qing Dynasty and was invented by Zheng Chenggong to alleviate the homesickness of soldiers and boost their morale during the Mid-Autumn Festival. The essence of playing dice games is to have fun and strive for good luck. Most people believe that those who win the champion title will have exceptionally good luck throughout the year.

“One Zhongshan Road, half of the local history.”Zhongshan Road, known as the "historical vein of Xiamen," is a road that tells the history of the city. Most of the buildings on Zhongshan Road were built by overseas Chinese who returned to their hometown in the 1920s. The combination of European architectural style and traditional Minnan elements, such as the arcade, creates a unique historical charm in the old city district of Xiamen. The former residence of Chen Huacheng, the Democracy Building, and many other historical sites are preserved here. The intangible cultural heritage, such as Nanyin (southern Fujian folk music) and Turtle Cake Seal, also converge here, creating a distinctive cultural atmosphere on Zhongshan Road.

Zheng Chenggong, a patriotic general in the late Ming Dynasty, left behind heroic deeds in Xiamen. Zheng Chenggong once stationed his troops on the Hero Mountain in the southwest corner of Gulangyu Island, where he trained his army and prepared to retake Taiwan. “Facing each other across the strait, Gulangyu sings like a song.” The statue of Zheng Chenggong in Haoyue Garden faces the sea, looking into the distance, hoping for the early reunification of the motherland.

In 1927, when Mr. Cai Yuanpei came to Xiamen, he wrote a seven-character quatrain while paying tribute to Zheng Chenggong at Sunlight Rock. The main idea of the poem is as follows:
Roaring through the wind, commanding the waves, with a steady hand guiding the clouds. Insects, sand, apes, and cranes sometimes exhaust, but righteous spirits cannot be washed away.
The old fortress is still there, remembering the heroes under the sunlight rock.
Xiamen University, known as the most beautiful university in China, faces the waves of the Baicheng Beach and is backed by the ancient Nanputuo Temple. Its motto is "Striving for self-improvement, striving for the best." "The Lujiang River is deep and long, and my love is boundless." 100 years ago, during the national crisis, patriotic overseas Chinese leader Mr. Chen Jiageng invested in the establishment of Xiamen University, which went through a difficult process. It was relocated to Changting during the Anti-Japanese War and remained steadfast in its original intention after 1949, striving for self-reliance and moving forward bravely.

The land of Heshan is fertile and talented, producing many outstanding people since ancient times.
Mr. Chen Jiageng went to Southeast Asia to seek development and achieved success, but he never forgot to contribute to the development of his hometown. In September 1912, Mr. Chen Jiageng, who was doing business in Southeast Asia, returned to his hometown of Jimei to establish education. Starting with Jimei Elementary School, Mr. Chen Jiageng founded a series of schools. Mr. Chen Jiageng dressed simply and never wore luxury brands. According to his son, Chen Guoqing, Mr. Chen Jiageng usually carried no more than 5 yuan in cash, but he invested heavily in the establishment of Jimei schools.

“I have been living in Southeast Asia for a long time, with a strong desire to serve my motherland and contribute.” Mr. Chen Jiageng saw that there were many ships sailing on the rivers, but all the navigation rights were controlled by foreigners. He believed that in order to revitalize the shipping industry, it was necessary to cultivate a majority of talents in the field. Seeing the scarcity of domestic navigation schools, he established a fisheries college in Jimei School in 1920, enrolling 45 graduates from the old-style higher primary schools. The duration of study was 4 years, and all expenses for the students were waived. Mr. Chen Jiageng dedicated his life to the education of talents for the country, and his character of prioritizing the nation and the people will forever be engraved in the hearts of the Chinese people.

This beautiful coastal city in the southeast not only attracts tourists with its unique natural scenery, but also with its long history, rich culture, and profound humanistic feelings. In the wave of urban development, Xiamen has preserved many historical and cultural heritage, retaining the tranquility of the city.
The Golden Rooster Sings, the White Egret Chirps
On the evening of November 4th, 2023, the 36th Golden Rooster Awards ceremony was held in Xiamen, China. Stars such as Liang Chaowei, Liu Dehua, Li Xuejian, Peng Yuyan, Lei Jiayin, Deng Chao... gathered in the Xiamen Island to celebrate the event.

Hosting a festival can enliven a city. Since the Golden Rooster Awards became associated with Xiamen in 2019, this artistic and fresh island city has developed a closer connection with the film and television industry. Xiamen has not only witnessed the continuous highlights of Chinese cinema but also, propelled by the Golden Rooster Awards, implemented the strategy of “promoting industry and city through festivals,” and has embarked on the path to becoming a “film city” and “capital of film and television,” becoming a shining new star in the Chinese film and television industry. The Golden Rooster has become a new calling card and symbol of this coastal city, with the brand and logo of “Golden Rooster + Xiamen” becoming increasingly prominent.
Why did the Golden Rooster Awards choose to settle in Xiamen?
Nestled between mountains and the sea, Xiamen boasts breathtaking scenery. Douyin blogger Fang Qi describes it as a place where the seasons never stop changing, yet Xiamen always seems to stay in summer. This beautiful seaside garden, with its year-round pleasant weather, has become the most stunning natural photography studio, attracting not only tourists but also celebrity film crews.

Liang Fengying, the producer of the movie "Emergency Rescue", said that their crew has been to many places, but their favorite is still Shapowei. The wind sheltered dock, filled with a sense of history, the old streets and alleys where the sea breeze blows, the coexistence of tradition and modernity, the intersection of cultural creativity and trends, perhaps this is also the reason why Shapowei has become the popular filming location for the crew.
Shapowei has the home of Duan Jiaxu in “Can't Hide Secretly”. It is the street that Shen Yi rides his bicycle home through in "Criminal Hunting Guide". It has the stone road that Lin Beixing walks on in “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”. It is the place where Luo Zhi and Sheng Hainan have a date in “Unrequited Love”.

Last summer, the filming of “Can't Hide It” in Xiamen brought popularity to the crispy duck with taro paste, which not only introduced this delicious Minnan cuisine to the public, but also drove new consumption. The order volume on the Ele.me platform alone increased threefold compared to before.
The modern urban landscape, rapid development of transportation infrastructure, and economic strength of Xiamen are also important reasons for attracting the Golden Rooster Awards. The 300-meter tall “Twin Towers” is one of the iconic urban landscapes of Xiamen, giving the city a fashionable and avant-garde architectural image, and serving as a cultural carrier of the city. The independent tower has the shape of a sailboat, symbolizing “setting sail with twin sails”.

The Haicang Bridge is made up of over 10,000 steel wires. Since 1999, the Haicang Bridge has experienced multiple strong typhoons, but the bridge has not broken despite swaying during the typhoons. The Haicang Bridge is a bridge that is not afraid of typhoons and can dance. It directly connects the Haicang, Xinglin, Jimei, and Tong'an areas, transforming Xiamen from an island city into a bay city.

The setting sun casts a warm glow on the evening sky, painting a beautiful picture. At sunset, one can arrive at Niutoushan Park in Dongdu and climb up to the observation deck. From there, one could see the flow of traffic on the bridge, planes taking off and landing, and colorful cargo ships passing under the bridge from all over the world. The Haicang Bridge at this moment resembles a silver dragon spanning the waters of Xiamen, immersed in the crimson glow of the setting sun.
The Fuzhou-Xiamen high-speed railway is China's first cross-sea high-speed railway with a speed of 350 kilometers per hour. Its opening means that it is no longer a dream to sit on a high-speed train and see the sea. The one-hour living circle of Fuzhou and Xiamen and the half-hour transportation circle of Xiamen, Zhangzhou, and Quanzhou have become a reality, bringing not only the two cities closer but also the hearts of the people. The number 350km/h seems to have the magical power of time travel, as the wheels roll forward, taking us through mountains and seas, and China's speed is far ahead.

Xiamen, also known as the "Gateway to the Grand Mansion." Xiamen welcomes guests from all over the world, and its gates embrace vast oceans. Openness is an inherent attribute of this city. As one of China's international shipping centers, Xiamen has been designated by China as an international comprehensive transportation hub and a strategic pivot city for the "Maritime Silk Road."
Skyscrapers are an important indicator of urban modernization, and transportation infrastructure is a symbol of a country's national strength. Xiamen is a pearl on the southeast coast of China. According to the latest data, Xiamen's annual gross domestic product (GDP) reached 780.27 billion yuan, with a growth rate higher than the national average, demonstrating the strong momentum and vitality of Xiamen's economy.

Xiamen has always focused on the path of innovation-driven development and strengthened scientific and technological innovation. It not only has a number of high-tech enterprises with international competitiveness, but also promotes national reform pilot tasks such as the free trade experimental zone and independent innovation demonstration zone, striving to build a regionally influential innovation center and share the “Xiamen experience” nationwide.
Xiamen, a poetic garden on the coast, has witnessed the changes of a thousand years. Here you can feel the gentle breeze and admire the calm sea. The red brick style of southern Fujian blends with the characteristic arcade architecture of the Southeast Asia region, giving Xiamen a touch of artistic and fresh lifestyle.

Source: People's Daily Digital Communication Xiaoman Studio
Editors: Zhou Yuqi, Jiang Chenghua

Photos from The Wisdom of Fujianese's post 18/07/2024

The Wisdom of Fujianese|City Portrait: Fuzhou - the Only City in China to Win the Global Sustainable Development City Award
Embracing rivers from all directions, with tolerance comes greatness, it is the mighty capital of Fujian and the famous city of China in the historical context. It is also a landscape painting of "three mountains standing tall, one river flowing endlessly", as well as the hometown of "Seven wanders and eight roams, Fuzhou being always the home"...

Half of it is mountains, half of it is into the sea.
Fuzhou, the provincial capital of Fujian, is located on the southeast coast of China, like a shining pearl. Her mountains are winding, and the rivers and seas meet. Mountains such as Wuhu Mountain, Gushan Mountain and Qishan Mountain and others form the backbone of the land. The landscape, “half of it is mountains, half of it is into the sea”, has nurtured the unique pattern of this city and created a blessed land by the sea.
"A Blessed Land", blessing lies in her mountains and water. It is the bird chirps, flower scents and mountain breeze in the forest tops in Fushan Suburban Park; it is the pleasure boats on the Jin’ an River, West Lake, and Min River; it is the unique charm of Sanfang Qixiang and Yantai Mountain ancient houses; it is the "Fudao" and "Greenway" that integrate mountains, water, people, and the city into one; it is the 156 rivers and more than 1,500 parks with "green hills merging into the delicate verdure outside the window, and flowing water and fishing rock in front of the window"...

Fuzhou is a city surrounded by three mountains and with two towers facing each other. The winding Min River crosses the urban area, forming a "Tai Chi" shape. Fuzhou is an ideal city that Feng Shui experts call, "a place where mountains surround and rivers embrace must have vital energy."
According to the legend, the three mountains, Yushan Mountain, Wushan Mountain, and Pingshan Mountain, are the dragon veins of Fuzhou. These three mountains surround the city, with the Black Tower and White Tower standing in the east and west, symbolizing the dragon's horns. Zhenhai Building stands in the north, representing the dragon's tail. Together, they safeguard the thousand-year cultural vein of Fuzhou, thriving endlessly.

"The gentle breeze blows over willows, and the fragrance of flowers is intoxicating. It is the season when the southern part of China is filled with the splendor of spring. On the West Gate Street of Fuzhou Prefecture, Fujian Province, the blue stone road stretches straight to the West Gate. In front of a magnificent mansion, there are two stone altars on both sides, each with a flagpole about seven meters high, green flags flying at the top."
This is the West Gate Street of Fuzhou Prefecture under Mr. Jin Yong's pen, which is now also known as the "Antique Road" - Guxi Road. This was once the widest and most prosperous street in the history of Fuzhou. Little known is the fact that Zheng Chenggong was named "Success" by the Longwu Emperor in the Longwu Emperor's Palace on the West Gate Street.

Due to the many mountains and dangerous roads, Fuzhou has always been a place which military strategists do not compete for. Fuzhou is able to isolate itself from wars in turbulent times, and also stay connected and open in prosperous times, thanks to the Minjiang River, the largest river in Fujian.
The Minjiang River surges down from Wuyi Mountain, runs through the entire city of Fuzhou and flows eastward into the sea. Under the interaction of river and sea, the "Fuzhou Plain" emerges, giving the "Mountain City" Fuzhou an area of smooth ground.

At the confluence of the river into the sea, the sediment in the river water has accumulated into the Minjiang River Estuary Wetland, which is one of the "Top Ten Charming Wetlands in China" and also one of the excellent cases of biodiversity selected by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China for the first time. In this vibrant wetland, rare and endangered bird species such as the Chinese crested tern, spoon-billed sandpiper, and black-faced spoonbill nest and forage, while wild geese and egrets soar in the azure sky.

On the north bank of the Minjiang River stands the "back garden" of Fuzhou people - Gushan Mountain. The huge boulder at the main peak of the mountain is like a drum, and when the wind and rain are strong, there is often the sound of drums, hence the name is called. In the mountain, there is an ancient temple called Yongquan Temple, known as the most respected temple in Fujian province, with a gilded plaque inscribed by Emperor Kangxi with the words "Yongquan Temple".

There are cliff inscriptions in Gushan Mountain, known as the "Forest of Steles in Southeast China". At the top of Gushan Mountain, there is a stone inscription by Zhu Xi with the words "Tian Feng Hai Tao". He visited Fuzhou more than ten times and established 11 academies, praising that the education of Fuzhou was the most prosperous in the southeast of China.

During the two Song Dynasties, there were 1339 people who passed the imperial examination in Fuzhou, ranking first in China. Stories like "three top winners in one list" and "four phoenixes of Hedong" record the glorious moments of the imperial examination in Fuzhou in history, laying the foundation for Fuzhou's reputation as a place of high culture and education on the coast. Many literary figures such as Lu You, Zeng Gong, and Xin Qiji gathered in Fuzhou.

In the late spring of 800 years ago, Xin Qiji, who was known as the "Su Xin" with Su Dongpo, traveled south to Fuzhou. During his two years as the prefect of Fuzhou and the governor of Fujian, he wrote more than 30 poems, and was particularly fond of Fuzhou West Lake.
In the words of Xin Qiji, "The misty rain is better seen in the sunshine, much like the beauty of Xi Shi before her marriage." Fuzhou West Lake, in his description, is like Xi Shi before she got married, charming and captivating, a scenery that never gets old.

Fuzhou West Lake is not a "copy" of Hangzhou West Lake. If we calculate carefully, the history of Fuzhou West Lake is much earlier than that of Hangzhou. Since the West Lake was dug for farmland irrigation in the Jin Dynasty, it has a history of more than 1,700 years. It is the most intact classical garden in Fuzhou, and it is called the West Lake because it is located in the northwest of Fuzhou.

The Mountains of Fujian are green and lush and the waters of Fujian are vast and grand. So beautiful is this ancient city that has existed for thousands of years. The mountains and rivers of Fuzhou are not only natural landscapes, but also carriers of culture. Many scholars and writers have left their footprints and poems here.
Seven wanders and eight roams, Fuzhou being always the home
"The city of Fujian began with Ye Cheng." In 202 BC, the King of Minyue Wu Zhu established the capital city in Fuzhou, which was called "Ye Cheng". During the Tang Dynasty, it was renamed "Fuzhou" because there was a mountain named "Fushan Mountain" in the north of the state, and this name has been used ever since.

Sanfang Qixiang, winding through the pages of history, are located in the city center with a history of more than 2,000 years. The elegance and restraint of the entire city are fully demonstrated here. As a "living fossil of China's LiFang system", more than 200 folk houses of Ming and Qing dynasties are preserved here, covering an area of about 40 hectares, and are known as the "Museum of Ming and Qing Architecture in China".

Walking into Sanfang Qixiang, one can see continuous "flying eaves" that are staggered and rise and fall in the skyline. These "flying eaves" are called Ma'an walls because they resemble a saddle. Ma'an walls are a form of fire wall and a symbolic element of Fujian-style architecture. They follow the tradition of building walls in sections at the end of the Tang Dynasty. They all have high and thick brick or earth walls, which serve the purposes of dividing space, enclosing courtyards, and resisting wind and fire. There is also a folk belief that they can pray for blessings and suppress evil spirits.

In "My Hometown", Bing Xin describes "blue stone paths, decorated with artificial hills, and lush flowers and trees." "An area of Sanfang Qixiang, half of China's modern history," the stone paths under the Ma'an walls extend north and south, and countless significant stories of China's modern era begin here.

There is a tree in Sanfang Qixiang that is highly photogenic. It is called the "Love Tree" because it resembles a heart shape. Some netizens jokingly call it the "Butt Tree". It is the "City Tree" of Fuzhou - the Banyan tree, which has been closely linked to the development history of Fuzhou for thousands of years. It has witnessed the changes of time and guarded the people living on this land.

Fuzhou is known as the Banyan City due to the abundance of banyan trees. It is well-documented that Fuzhou is filled with banyan trees, specifically the Ficus microcarpa, with its well-developed aerial roots and fluttering tendrils. It has the longest recorded natural origin and cultivation history in China, spanning at least 1300 years.
People describe Fuzhou as a city with "three mountains as its backbone, the Minjiang River as its soul, and banyan trees as its roots". The banyan tree is a symbol of Fuzhou, and the people of Fuzhou are just like the banyan tree - indomitable, resilient, and pioneering.

As night falls and the lights come on, the time-honored shops on Nanhou Street in Fuzhou are crowded with long queues, as many tourists try the famous local snacks in Fuzhou.
As the "Capital of Fish Balls in China", Fuzhou is known for the saying "no fish balls, no feast". To the people of Fuzhou, fish balls are like steamed buns to northerners; they are Fuzhou residents' favorite snack. The main ingredients of fish balls are shark, eel or freshwater fish. After removing the skin of the fish, the flesh is pounded repeatedly to form a fish paste, which is then mixed with sweet potato starch, fine salt, and egg white. It is served with pork bone soup, scallion, pepper, vinegar, and other seasonings. The round and white fish balls are filled with a mixture of 30% fat and 70% lean pork. With one bite, you can't help but exclaim "yaba" (amazing)!

In the eyes of outsiders, people from Fuzhou are known as fish ball fanatics, while in the eyes of locals, there are only two categories of Fuzhou people: those who eat shrimp oil and those who don't. In Fuzhou, shrimp oil can be added to everything, from stewed soups and stir-fried dishes to boiled noodles... Even the tone of Fuzhou people's speech is joked as having a "shrimp oil flavor". Shrimp oil flavor is not only a unique taste memory for people from Fuzhou, but also a "secret code" among them.
In China, there is a saying that the south likes the sweet, while the north likes the salty. For the people of Fuzhou, who prefer a sweet and light taste, eating sweet has become a habit. In addition to traditional tender and glutinous desserts like glutinous rice eight treasures, taro paste, water chestnut cake, and pure jasmine, Fuzhou people also add sugar when cooking seafood, making porridge, and even stir-frying vegetables. They are truly "sweet addicts". No wonder Yu Dafu said in "Food and Love in Fuzhou": "Fuzhou people love to eat sweet, to the point where nine out of ten of them have bad teeth."

The cuisine in Fuzhou fascinated the food and wine lover Yu Dafu, and he especially liked seafood. In his book, he spared no praise for it:
Fuzhou seafood, most popular and delicious in the months of February and March, is best represented by the clam meat from Changle and the oysters found along the coast.

Over a hundred years ago, modern Fuzhou rose and its food culture flourished. During this period, Min cuisine, one of the eight major Chinese cuisines known for its seafood-based dishes, exquisite cooking techniques, and elegant style, was born.
Wang Zengqi, a famous foodie, once said, "The people of Fujian are not tired of pursuing fine food, especially in Fuzhou." The old artist believes that the epitome of meticulous cooking techniques and delicacies is none other than the first signature dish of Fuzhou cuisine - “Fotiaoqiang” (Even buddha jumps over the wall to have a taste).

“Fotiaoqiang”, also known as "Fushouquan", is a famous dish in Fuzhou that is renowned throughout the country. It originated in 1899 and has a history of over a hundred years. It usually consists of abalone, sea cucumber, fish lips, cowhide gelatin, shiitake mushrooms, tendon, flower mushrooms, squid, dried scallops, and quail eggs, all cooked together with broth and Fujian rice wine over a slow fire.
Whether it's a famous dish at a state banquet or a street snack, it makes countless people who are away from home yearn for their hometown. The Fuzhou saying, "Seven wanders and eight roams, Fuzhou being always the home," expresses the pride and attachment of the people of Fuzhou to their hometown, allowing the love that cannot be easily expressed to be conveyed.
Embracing Rivers from All Directions, with Tolerance Comes Greatness
Some people say that the specialty of Fuzhou is typhoons. Whenever a typhoon approaches, Zhenhai Building, jokingly referred to as the "Xiaozhenzhen" by netizens, becomes the focus of attention for the whole city of Fuzhou. In fact, it was not built to withstand typhoons. According to historical records, when ships used to sail to Fuzhou, they could see Zhenhai Building when they reached the foot of Gushan. Therefore, Zhenhai Building became a navigational landmark for ships entering and leaving the Minjiang Estuary. Whenever the tide rises, large ships entering and leaving the Minjiang Estuary use Zhenhai Building as a reference point.

It’s said in the Classic of Mountains and Seas:
Fujian is located in the sea.
With its long coastline and mountainous land, Fujian looks like an "open book of the Classic of Mountains and Seas". As the capital of Fujian, Fuzhou has been influenced by diverse cultures such as Minyue culture and Central Plains culture, forming a city temperament of "embracing rivers from all directions, with tolerance comes greatness".

More than 5,000 years ago, the ancestors of Fujian began to venture into the sea and make a living from it, creating a unique maritime culture known as the "Tanshishan Culture". This is the earliest and most representative Neolithic culture in the southeastern coastal region of China, and it has been the first archaeological culture established in Fujian Province since 1949. Thus, the maritime culture of Fujian started from here.

Rivers in Fuzhou flow into the sea. Located on the banks of the Minjiang River, the Fuzhou Port is an important hub port of the Maritime Silk Road. The history of the Fuzhou Port can be traced back to the "Dongye Port" of the Han Dynasty more than 2,000 years ago. For a long time, it has always served as a transfer port and military port.
Zheng He, a Ming Dynasty navigator, initiated a navigation era lasting half a century, setting the record for the largest and farthest-reaching navigation of the time in the world. Changle Taiping Port served as the base and starting point for Zheng He's seven voyages to the Western Seas. A large number of sailors from Fuzhou were active in the fleet, piloting the famous "Fuchuan" across the seas.

By the mid-Qing Dynasty, Fuzhou Port became the world's most famous "tea port", with one-third of China's tea exported from Fuzhou. Jasmine tea, in particular, had the highest sale volume in China and was renowned as the "supreme taste of jasmine, ranked as the number one fragrance in the world." It was called the "taste of Chinese spring" by foreigners.
Ships from all over the world sailed along the Maritime Silk Road to Fuzhou. Foreign sailors, after a long journey along the maritime Silk Road, could finally see the Luoxing Tower on the Luoxing Mountain in Mawei in the distance, knowing that they had arrived in the eastern great country on the map. Therefore, the Luoxing Tower was also known as the "Tower of China".

After more than 300 years, the Luoxing Tower still stands tall by the Sanjiang Estuary, and its weathered appearance as well as the extant cliff inscriptions are all testaments to the profound connection between Fuzhou and the Maritime Silk Road.

Shangxiahang is an important birthplace of the "Fujian Business Spirit" in Fuzhou, and is known as the "Traditional Commercial Museum of Fuzhou". In ancient times, the Minjiang River flowed around Mount Damiao, and Shangxiahang was the port at the mouth of the river. The "Hang" in Shangxiahang is derived from the word "Hang" in “Hangyun” (shipping), and has no relation to Hangzhou.

"Thousands of fishing and salt boats gather near the market, while the towering pavilions soar above the surrounding mountains." In the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, the commercial development of Shangxiahang reached its peak. Business associations and firms from all over the country established guildhalls and businesses here, making Shangxiahang an international trading port described by Marco Polo. Looking at the Min business guildhall with the dilapidated walls and the gentle ripples of the river under the Santong Bridge, although the bustling shipping industry is no longer present in Shangxiahang today, it has accumulated a rich historical heritage and charm.
If architecture is said to be the living history, then Cangshan carries the historical memory of Fuzhou's "five-port trade". Starting from Taijiang, crossing the Liberation Bridge, you will arrive at Yantai Mountain, known as the "Museum of International Architecture". Here, there are nearly a hundred old Western buildings such as foreign consulates, churches, foreign firms, villas, and dozens of traditional Chinese gardens and ancient houses, each brick and tile defining the diversity, inclusiveness, and profound heritage of Fuzhou.

In the autumn of 1863, Zuo Zongtang was appointed as the Governor-General of Fujian and Zhejiang, responsible for the southeast region. Zuo Zongtang, a talented and visionary leader, advocated for the establishment of shipbuilding, educational institutions and modern navy in Fuzhou, a region in southern China with a strong maritime and academic foundation, in line with the trend of the Westernization Movement.

Mawei, Fuzhou, is the birthplace of China's shipbuilding culture and the cradle of modern navy. It has cultivated generations of naval talents for modern China and has a legendary reputation of "No army without Fujianese". It is here that China's first naval academy, the first modern shipyard, the first formal aircraft manufacturing plant, the first established naval fleet, the first thousand-ton-class ship, the first practical steam engine, and the first submarine cable were born.
On the north bank of the Minjiang River estuary, a shipbuilding and machinery factory made of brick, stone, iron and wood still stands tall, constantly reminding people of the grand dreams of building a strong maritime nation in China and the ambitious aspirations to become stronger at sea.

In order to commemorate the ancestors who defended this sea area with their lives more than a hundred years ago, the 003 aircraft carrier is named Fujian Ship, and China has finally ushered in its own era of aircraft carriers.
On the day when the Fujian Ship was launched, Liu Jiangyuan, the director of the Fujian Shipbuilding Cultural Management Committee, immediately made a phone call, "Zhaozhong Shrine!" So, a group of shipbuilding researchers, workers, and enthusiasts, braved the rain and rushed to the Zhaozhong Shrine in Mawei - they were going to hold a ceremony to honor the martyrs of the modern Chinese navy.

That day, Chen Yue, the president of the Mawei Shipbuilding Cultural Research Association, also posted a set of nine-grid character pictures on Weibo, with a short sentence as the caption: "It's their dream too."

Today, Fuzhou has become a trillion-yuan city in terms of economic scale, with a digital economy worth over 85.7 billion US dollars, accounting for over 50% of the GDP. It is home to over 1,300 digital economy high-tech enterprises and 144 provincial innovative enterprises in the core areas of the digital economy.

Today, Fuzhou has a forest coverage rate of 57.26%, ranking second among all provincial capital cities in China. Its environmental air quality ranks eighth among 169 key cities in China and third among provincial capital cities. Fuzhou has implemented innovative urban water system management projects and has become a green, low-carbon, and eco-friendly "city of a thousand gardens." It has been awarded the first Global Sustainable Development City Award and it is the only city in China to receive this award.

Fuzhou is a blessed and happy city. With a long history and profound heritage, it is low-key, comforting, open, and inclusive. Looking up, you can see the blue sky, and looking out the window, you can see the green scenery. If you ask me what a provincial capital city should be like, please come to Fuzhou, where every color of this city is telling you the answer.
Source: People's Daily Digital Communication Xiaoman Studio
Editors: Zhou Yuqi, Jiang Chenghua

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