Fújiàn
Province was known as the Mǐn kingdom. After the Tang dynasty
ended in AD 907, the province was known as Fújiàn Province, and Fúzhōu
its capital city.
During
the mid-19th century, the kingdom was divided into the state of Yin.
The province grew as trade and shipbuilding increased.
Fújiàn
has historically served as an important trade center.
Fújiàn ports were a starting point for the Silk Road during the Tang
and Song dynasties (AD 618-1279). At that time, Fúzhōu and Xiàmén were
regarded as two of China's five trading ports.
The province declined when the Ming dynasty banned maritime commerce in 1433, which lasted until the late 1600's.
After
the 1911 revolution, Fújiàn struggled to find its identity. Pockets of
Chinese Communists called the province home. Later, the Japanese also
occupied coastal parts of the province. Finally, the Chinese
Communist Party took control of the province in 1949.
Around
36 million people live in Fújiàn Province. Approximately 98% are
Han Chinese. Most of the 2% belong to the Shē ethnic
minority. 75% of China's Shē ethnic minority population call
Fújiàn home.
The
national language is Pǔtōnghuà (“common speech”), otherwise known as
Mandarin Chinese. Mandarin Chinese brings a common language to
all, helping to unite the vast and diverse country of China.
Even
though Mandarin is the national language, many local regions retain
their own local language. In Fújiàn province, there is a southern
Mǐn language and an northern Mǐn language. Within these
languages, there are dialects and even sub dialects. The
mountainous terrain and limited access have kept the various local
languages and dialects alive and well even to today.
It
is very common to enter a city in Fújiàn and hear people speaking two
or three completely different dialects. If their hometowns are
far enough apart, there is a high chance they cannot understand each
other. To communicate, they must speak Mandarin. Since
Mandarin has been taught in schools for years, most people can speak
Mandarin comfortably.
Wǔyī
Mountain is located in northwest Fújiàn. It is well-known for its
streams, coffins suspended from cliffs, caves, beautiful mountain peaks
and valleys. The scenic area also boast other natural, historical sites
and cultural relics.
Wǔyī
Mountain contains a high quality, red tea called Dà Hóng Páo.
Trained monkeys scale the mountain cliffs and pick the tea. The
mountain is rich in plant life (over 3700 varieties) and animals (over
5000 types).
Wǔyī
mountain is a great recreational spot. Visitors can hike through
beautiful scenery, white water raft, or float peacefully on flat,
bamboo boats.
Gǔlàng
Yǔ is an island very close to Xiàmén in Southern Fújiàn. Beautiful
flowers and trees are characteristic of its many parks. Instead
of hearing traffic noise, wind, surf, and birds can be heard.
When
the Opium War started in the mid-19th century, Xiàmén was become one of
five trading ports. Many foreign governments, merchants,
missionaries came to Gǔlàng
Yǔ and established embassies, residential
houses, churches, and schools. Western music in the form of religious
music spread to Gǔlàng
Yǔ when missionaries preached there. Western
music arrived in Gǔlàng
Yǔ during the 1920s and 1930s.
The island has been known for its piano music, including its own piano museum.
Nearly
1,000 years ago, round earthen houses were built from sod to defend
against enemies. Nearly 1,000 years ago, Mongolians invaded China's
central plain. Many aristocrats were forced to move to southern
China, primarily to Fújiàn province. They built circular houses
out of sod and earth to defend against future attacks.
The
most common homes are 165 feet in diameter, accommodating 30-40
families, or 200-300 people. The houses have four floors, each with a
different function. These floors may include a kitchen, store rooms,
bed rooms, places to offer sacrifices, and even a school.
Today, these earthen homes enjoy increasing number of tourists visiting each year.
Tài
Lǎo Mountain is located in Fúdǐng. This mountainous area contains
thousands of mountain peaks resembling huge sculptures. The mountain
contains deep winding caves, interesting stones, beautiful streams,
water falls and echo-producing valleys.
Tài Lǎo Mountain is connected by coasts on three sides,
and is also known as “Fairy City on the Sea.”
Classic Education China supplies supplemental teaching resources for teachers of
Mandarin Chinese language, including books, posters, bulletin board materials, stickers,
and idea sheets for classroom, home, and individual practice. Classic Education China
promotes the development of authentic, culturally appropriate, interactive, intercultural
education. Students can increase both cultural and linguistic fluency as they study foreign
language with visual aids and other materials that enrich the learning environment.
Classroom supplies are designed by a cooperative team of American and Chinese educators,
for the flourishing of intercultural education. All rights reserved.
