Spotlight on a Chinese Province: Fujian

Fujian is a province on the southeast coast of China, across from Taiwan. Most of the province is governed by the People’s Republic of China, but some Fujianese islands, namely Kinmen and Matsu, are controlled by the Republic of China (Taiwan). It is one of the largest tea-producing provinces in China, as well as one of the country’s most affluent. Like most Chinese provinces, Fujian is made up of primarily Han Chinese; however, uniquely to Fujian and the surrounding areas, many of the Han residents identify as Hakka, a culturally distinct group of Han Chinese.
Major Cities
Fuzhou

Destinations Unlocked:
Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture tripCentralAmerica
1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.CentralAmerica
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.SouthAmerica
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.SouthAmerica
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.Europe
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.Europe
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.Europe
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.Asia
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great priceAfrica
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!Africa
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.Coastal city Fuzhou is the capital of Fujian province. While not as famous among tourists as nearby Xiamen, Fuzhou is unique in its rare preservation of historical buildings. In the heart of downtown can be found Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, comprised of an impressive 268 Fuzhou-style residences from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Many of the homes in the alleys are still privately owned, but some have been opened up to tourists for a fee. As much of the rest of China has bulldozed its history, it is refreshing to see such a commitment to its conservation in Fuzhou.

Xiamen
Coastal Xiamen, once known as Amoy, is notable for several reasons. First, it is one of the port cities forcibly opened by the British after the First Opium War, and second, it is one of the original four special economic zones targeted by Deng Xiaoping for foreign trade and investment in the early 1980s. Due to this unique history, Xiamen has a wealth of colonial architecture and a well-developed economy. The city is very green and livable, and the beaches, particularly those at Gulangyu Island, are popular for weekend getaways and relaxing afternoons away from city life.

Quanzhou
Quanzhou is Fujian’s largest city, with over eight million residents. While now overshadowed by Fuzhou and Xiamen, Quanzhou was once one of China’s most significant cities for global trade. During the 11th-14th centuries, Quanzhou acted as the eastern terminus of the Silk Road and was visited by Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta, among others. Its name to them, Zaiton, is even the origin for the English word satin, one of the many products that passed through Quanzhou’s borders. Today, the city still feels Muslim influences, although much less so than it once did. Like many of Fujian’s cities, Quanzhou is known for being beautiful and full of nature.

Other Travel Destinations
Hakka Tulou
Tulou, which translates as “earthen buildings,” are a distinctive architectural style found only in Fujian’s Yongding District. These doughnut-shaped houses are native to the Fujianese Hakka people, some of whom still reside there today. Each house consists of a circular outer ring surrounding an open-air central shrine. There are over 20,000 tulou remaining in southern Fujian, a small group of which have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This group, noted for its large scale and ingenious structure, is a popular tourist destination for the region.

Wuyi Mountains
The Wuyi Mountains, located in northern Fujian, are famed for their biodiversity and striking appearance, similar in places to the peaks of Zhangjiajie, also known as the Avatar Mountains. Wuyi is home to numerous tea fields, and is the origin of Da Hong Pao tea, certain strains of which have been known to sell for up to RMB7,052,717 (US$1,025,000) per kilogram.

Cuisine
Fujian cuisine, also referred to as Min or Hokkien cuisine, is famous for dishes served in soup. Flavor profiles lean toward the light side, with an emphasis on umami. Famous dishes include qing jiao rou si, pork strips with green pepper, spring rolls, and stuffed fish balls.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.