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FUJIAN PROVINCE
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Fujian Province
(; Postal map spelling: Fukien, Foukien; local transliteration Hokkien from Min Nan Hok-kiàn) is one of the provinces on the southeast coast of China. Fujian borders Zhejiang to the north, Jiangxi to the west, and Guangdong to the south. Taiwan lies to the east, across the Taiwan Strait.
The name Fujian comes from the combination of Fuzhou and Jian'ou, two cities in Fujian. The name was coined during Tang Dynasty.
Most of Fujian is administered by the People's Republic of China (PRC). However, the archipelagoes of Quemoy and Matsu are under the control of the Republic of China (ROC) based in Taiwan. Thus, de facto there are two provinces (in the sense of government organizations) with the same name. The two sides are rendered in different Romanizations of Mandarin. The PRC side renders the name of the province in Hanyu Pinyin, yielding "Fujian", while the ROC side renders the name of the province in Tongyong Pinyin, Wade-Giles and Postal map spelling, resulting in "FuJian", "Fuchien" and "Fukien", respectively.
The existence of two parallel Fujian provincial governments is a result of the Chinese Civil War. After losing mainland China (including most of Fujian) to communist forces in 1949, the Republic of China (ROC) retreated to Taiwan while retaining control over a few offshore islands of Fujian. Since then, the PRC (mainland) and ROC (Taiwan) have maintained separate provincial governments for Fujian. This article is concerned mainly with Fujian administered by the PRC; see Fujian (ROC) for more information on the ROC's province of Fujian.
Fuzhou is the provincial capital of PRC-controlled Fujian while Quemoy is the seat of the ROC-controlled Fujian, though in practice most powers in ROC-controlled Fujian are delegated to the two counties of Quemoy and Matsu Islands.
History
Recent archaeological discoveries demonstrate that Fujian (especially the northern coastal region around Fuzhou) had entered the Neolithic Age by the middle of the 8th millennium BP (6th millennium BC). From the Keqiutou site (7450-5590 BP), an early Neolithic site in Pingtan Island located about 70 km southeast of Fuzhou, numerous tools made of stones, shells, bones, jades, and ceramics (including wheel-made-ceramics) have been unearthed, together with spinning wheels, a definitive evidence of weaving. The Tanshishan (昙石山) site (5500-4000 BP) in suburban Fuzhou spans the Neolithic and Chalcolithic Age where semi-underground circular buildings were found in the lower level. The Huangtulun (黄土崙) site (ca.1325 BC), also in suburban Fuzhou, was of the Bronze Age in character. These findings, however, also indicate that the agricultural tradition was weak if not lacking in this area, which is consistent with the early records stating that the indigenous people in Fujian, primarily those living along the Min River, were Austronesians with "large eyes, flat nose and tattooed bodies" , who made their living by fishing. These people were probably the original inhabitants of southern China. Some of them may have been assimilated, driven further south, or exiled during Han Dynasty to eastern China (north of present-day Shanghai).
For the Han Chinese, this area was also known as Minyue. The...
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| Private Tour of the Film Studio Tour in Chedun, Shanghai |
4 hours |
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Shanghai is home to one of the few modern movie and TV studios in Asia. More and more movie companies bring their productions to the Chedun Film Studio, which has a growing list of internationally-known movie titles to its credit: Jasmines Bloom (2003), Purple Butterfly (2004), Kung Fu Hustle (2004), The Great Raid (2005), Legend of a Fighter (2005), and The Painted Veil (2006).
The town of Chedun is located in the Songjiang District, about 15 kilometers from downtown Shanghai. Songjiang is a fertile agricultural area that borders the lower reaches of the Changjiang River, and has a growing presence of industry and manufacturing. It is in this setting that the studio has flourished.
Many film and TV productions use the sound stages, film library and screening rooms, but the real attractions are the authentic sets that recreate 1900s-era Shanghai. Some examples include: 'Nanjing Road in the 30s', 'Suzhou Creek', 'Downtown Shanghai', 'Peace Plaza', 'Old Shanghai bridge' and 'Lake and Mountain Area'. Other sets reflect the architecture of the time- from traditional houses and churches to the European-style architecture of the period. The studio also has an extensive costume and prop collection.
Be sure to bring your camera, because you?ll want to pose on the impressive sets.
Highlights:
- Chedun Town
- Studio Tour
- Old Shanghai Sets
- Costume Exhibition
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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Yellow Crane Tower and Gui yuan Temple
Huanghelou (Yellow Crane Tower), located near the southern end of the Yangtze River Bridge in Wuhan, is one of China's most famous towers. The tower inspired many ancient poets and artists. Following is one example, written by Li Bai during the Tang DynastyGuiyuan Temple(Temple of Original Purity)
Guiyuan Temple(Temple of Original Purity), situated on Cuiwei Street, is one of the four biggest temples for Buddhist meditation in Hubei as well as an important Buddhist temple in China.
| Private Tour of Zhujiajiao and Seven Treasure Town |
8 hours |
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Located in a suburb of Shanghai, Zhujiajiao is an ancient water town that shines like a pearl on the Dianpu River. In fact, Zhujiajiao is sometimes called 'Pearl Stream'. It is famous for its well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty architecture, ancient bridges, and quaint courtyards. Walking along the zigzag of narrow streets and past the shops in the center of town, you will see how the locals really live as they go about their daily labors, sit in the sun and chat, or play cards with their neighbors. You will also enjoy a leisurely boat ride, taste the local food, or just relax by the river under majestic willow trees.
Seven Treasure Town is another ancient village located outside of Shanghai. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Seven Treasures became a prosperous marketplace, known for its cloth, yarn, carpentry, rice wine and water. The textiles were treasured all over the world, with samples from the era still being displayed at the Great Museum of London. Some of the other sights you'll enjoy on the tour include a unique wedding hall inside the textile mill, a shop producing traditional rice wine, and other trades such as blacksmithing, bamboo craft and fine carpentry.
Highlights:
- Zhujiajiao Water Town
- Boat Ride
- Seven Treasure Town
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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| Private Tour of the Jewish Sites and Duolun Road in Shanghai |
4.5 hours |
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At the beginning of World War II, about 30,000 Jewish refugees fled from Europe to Shanghai. Calling themselves 'Shanghailanders', most settled in the Hongkou District where the local residents kindly offered food and medicine for these displaced people. The Jewish community thrived in the Hongkou. Bakeries, stores, cafes, synagogues, schools, clinics, cemeteries, and even a Jewish newspaper all flourished there.
Built in 1927, the Ohel Moishe Synagogue served as the spiritual heart of Shanghai's Jewish community and currently houses the Museum for Jewish Refugees. It has been reconstructed to its original appearance and features a photo exhibition from the period. On this tour you'll also visit Huoshan Park, a peaceful retreat where the Monument in Memory of Jewish Refugees now stands. Duolun Road is also a must-see stop because of the history, culture and humanity of 1920s-30s Shanghai. You'll wander among the museums, antique and curio houses, calligraphers' and painters' studios, bookshops and literary clubs, teahouses and wine bars.
Highlights:
- Ohel Moishe Synagogue
- Hongkou District
- Monument for Jewish Refugees
- Duolun Road
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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