Fujian, Coastal province in Southeast China
Fujian is an administrative division on the southeast coast of the country, stretching across mountainous areas and coastal plains by the sea. Its nine larger urban centers include Fuzhou as the capital and the trading hub of Xiamen.
The area was known as the Kingdom of Minyue during the Qin Dynasty from the 3rd century BCE and later developed into a major node for maritime trade. Between the 7th and 10th centuries, new ports emerged that encouraged exchange with other coastal regions.
The name combines Fu from the Min River's local pronunciation and Jian, meaning stream in Chinese, reflecting the waterways that shaped settlement patterns. Tea ceremonies follow methods that vary from valley to valley, and many families use porcelain from workshops that have operated for generations.
Three airports in Fuzhou, Xiamen and Quanzhou connect the area to international destinations, while fast trains speed travel to other major cities. The coastline is long, so travelers often use buses or regional rail to move between port towns.
The Wuyi Mountains hold more than 30 peaks above 1800 meters (5900 feet) that functioned as natural barriers. This separation led to the development of quite different dialects and customs in neighboring valleys.
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