Fuzhou is the capital of Fujian province, and is situated on the north bank of the estuary of Fujian's largest river, the Min River, which gives access to the interior and to the neighboring provinces of Jiangxi and Zhejiang.
It lies opposite Taiwan across the strait. The city abounds in banyan trees that were mostly planted at the time of the Northern Song Dynasty (A.D. 960-1127). So Fuzhou is also known as Rong Cheng, meaning the City of Banyans. Fuzhou has been the native place of famous men over the generations who made history. More historical sites are found in the city of Fuzhou than most of other Chinese cities. The three hills of Yu, Wu and Ping stand at triangular positions, while the two pagodas Bai Ta(White Pagoda) and Wu Ta (Black pagoda) face each other at a distance. These make up the city's landscape.
Places of interest include the residence stone carvings and the cork sculpture, are objects of admiration since early on both in China and abroad. Fuzhou has abundant hot springs, and good quality hot spring water is supplied at the bathrooms of hotels. Fuzhou is also famous for culinary art. Gourmets' fascinations are such delicacies as Fo Tiao Qiang (Buddha-Jumps- Over-The-Wall) and clams in chicken soup. Fuzhou is accessible by modern routes of communication. It welcomes tourists from abroad and elsewhere in China.
Industry is supplied with power by a grid running from the Gutian hydroelectric scheme in the mountains to the northwest. The city is a center for industrial chemicals and has food-processing, timber-working, engineering, papermaking, printing, and textile industries. A small iron and steel plant was built in 1958. In 1984 Fuzhou was designated one of China's "open" cities in the new open-door policy inviting foreign investments. Handicrafts remain important in the rural areas, and the city is famous for its lacquer and wood products.
Fuzhou, also known as the City of Banyan after the many Banyan trees that dot the city landscape, may not be as rich in history as some other ancient Chinese cities but still boasts a fair number of historical sights.
People in Fuzhou mostly speak Min Dong and Fuzhou dialect is consider the standard form of Min Dong language.
