Fujian Province in southeast China has a very long and colourful recorded history, dating at least as far back as the Warring States Period (475-221 B.C.). At that time the State of Yue, located approximately in present-day Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, was defeated by the State of Chu, which ruled the areas of today's Hubei and Hunan provinces. After their defeat, the Yue people were forced to move southward and settled in the areas now known as Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi and Vietnam. Those that went to Fujian were called Min Yue, and the province itself Dong Yue.
Later, Emperor Shihuang of the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC) set up a prefecture in Fujian and changed the name of the province to one word, Min. Even today this word is used as an abbreviation for Fujian, and people in the south of the province speak a dialect called the Minnan (southern Fujian) dialect.
The natives of Fujian are therefore called the ancient Min people. No written records about them have ever been found, but the boat-shaped coffins at the Wuyi Mountains probably belonged to Xia-dynasty (c. 21st-16th century BC) Min people. A pictographic written language was discovered carved into a rock in the town of Hua'an, and is believed to be another relic of the ancient Min people from the Shang Dynasty (c. 16th-11th century BC).
Besides the Min people, Fujian is home to several other nationalities, the largest of which is the She people, a branch of the Miao nationality who moved to Fujian from the Yangtse River Valley. Other minority people include the Hui, who are scattered in urban areas; the Ding and Guo clans in southern Fujian and Putian, descendants of Arabs and Persians who came to Quanzhou during the Tang and Song dynasties; the Dan people, and a small number of Manchus. People of the Ding and Guo clans have curly hair, deep-set eyes and hook-shaped noses. The Dan people are said to be Mongols who were forced by the Han to move from the hinterlands to the coast of Fujian during the decline of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).
Historically the Han nationality made five big emigrations, all from the Central Plains. Sometimes whole villages and tribes travelled long distances to Fujian in an organized way. These people, called Hakka or "guest families", retained their own language, dress, customs and habits. Many of their descendants later moved to Guangdong, Taiwan and Southeast Asia, and today the Hakka total some 60 million. Many prominent figures have been Hakka people, including Sun Yat-sen, his wife Soong Ching Ling, writer, historian and archaeologist Guo Moruo and others.
The unique round (or sometimes square) earthen residences of the Hakka people can still be seen in the western part of Fujian. These remarkable structures are attractive, practical and easily defensible, as it is almost impossible for anyone to enter the compound once the gates are closed. Along the coast of Fujian are a number of cities with historical and cultural significance. The southernmost city is Zhangzhou, which was founded in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and still boasts many ancient buildings.
Located northeast of Zhangzhou is Xiamen, a former island now linked to the mainland, and a booming special economic zone with a lakeside development region. Historical sites and scenic spots include the Mausoleum of Tan Kah-kee, a prominent, patriotic overseas Chinese, South Putuo Temple, the Huli Hill Fortress and Gulangyu Islet.
To the north of Xiamen is Quanzhou, at one time the world's second largest port. During the Tang and Song dynasties, Arabian and Persian merchants came here in large numbers to trade with local merchants, and today one can still see many reminders of Quanzhou's colorful past. About 17 kilometres away from the city is the Overseas Chinese University, and further east lies Chongwu Peninsula, where one can visit the ancient stone city of Chongwu.
North of Quanzhou is Meizhou Island, where Mazu, the Goddess of the Sea, is worshipped. This beautiful little island has dozens of Mazu temples, and is well worth a visit for both its scenic and religious attractions. Moving further north, one comes to the capital city of Fuzhou, where there is a great deal to see and do. Within the city are three hills and two pagodas, beautiful West Lake and the newly-built Zuohai Park. On the outskirts of Fuzhou one can visit Drum Hill, Xichan Monastery and Jinshan Monastery. In Fuding, located in the most northeastern corner of the province, one can enjoy the lovely scenery of Taimu Mountain. There are also many She nationality villages dotted throughout eastern Fujian.
One of Fujian's most well-known tourist spots is the Wuyi Mountain Scenic Area, located along Fujian's northern border with Jiangxi. As a State-designated nature reserve, there are many beautiful sights here such as the Water Curtain Cave and Mount Huanggang, the highest peak in eastern China.
In fact, there is so much to see in Fujian that one could spend many weeks travelling around and still not see everything. Culture, art, history, fantastic scenery, beautiful architecture, sandy beaches and a year-round pleasant climate all combine to make Fujian one of the most interesting and enjoyable provinces in all of China.