Fujian

Wuyi Mountain, a UNESCO Dual Heritage Site since 1999, is a sacred fusion of jade-green rivers, mist-shrouded peaks, and ancient Daoist sanctuaries. Revered for 2,000 years as China’s “Sage Mountain,” it nurtures rare wildlife, 36 peaks, and 99 cliffs carved by the Nine-Bend River. Home to the legendary Da Hong Pao tea bushes and Tang Dynasty cliff carvings, this is where Taoist sages once meditated and Confucian scholars sought enlightenment—a living museum of nature and philosophy.

Nine Bend River(Jiuquxi), the soul of Wuyi Mountain’s UNESCO landscape, is a 6-kilometer serpentine waterway winding through sheer cliffs, tea gardens, and Daoist sanctuaries. Carved over millennia, its nine oxbow bends (“jiuqu”) offer bamboo-raft adventures beneath 300m basalt walls adorned with Song Dynasty inscriptions. A pilgrimage for poets, emperors, and modern travelers, this “Fairy River” melds geological wonder with cultural legacy—where every turn reveals a tale of sages, tea, and timeless landscapes.

Gulangyu Island, a car-free enclave off the coast of Xiamen, Fujian Province, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its colonial-era architecture, lush gardens, and serene beaches. Dubbed the "Piano Island" for its musical heritage, Gulangyu’s cobblestone streets are lined with 19th-century villas, churches, and museums, offering a time-capsule glimpse into China’s international treaty-port era. With no motorized vehicles, the island’s tranquility is preserved by the gentle clatter of piano keys and the rhythmic lapping of waves, making it a haven for culture seekers and nature lovers alike.

Kaiyuan Temple, a timeless Buddhist sanctuary in Quanzhou, Fujian Province, stands as one of China’s most revered cultural and religious landmarks. Founded in the 8th century during the Tang Dynasty, the temple complex spans 78,000 square meters and harmoniously blends architectural grandeur with spiritual significance. Renowned for its iconic East and West Pagodas, intricate stone carvings, and vibrant Buddhist heritage, Kaiyuan Temple attracts millions of pilgrims and tourists annually. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021, it offers a profound journey through China’s religious art and architectural evolution.

Three Lanes and Seven Alleys (Sanfang Qixiang), a historic district in the heart of Fuzhou, Fujian Province, is China’s largest surviving cluster of Ming and Qing Dynasty residential neighborhoods. Covering 40 hectares with 270 ancient buildings, this UNESCO-recognized area showcases Hokkien-style architecture, traditional crafts, and the scholarly legacy of Fuzhou’s elite. Once home to imperial officials, poets, and revolutionaries, it now blends cultural heritage with modern cafes, art galleries, and boutique shops, offering a vivid journey through China’s past and present.