Fuzhou is an ancient city. As early as in the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.--A.D. 220), it was already known as Yecheng serving as the capital of the state of Yue in the Jin (265--420), Houguan County was established to replace it in the Sui (581--618), it became Minxian County and was then made Minzhou Prefecture; in the 13th year of the Kai Yuan reign of the Tang (725), Fuzhou Prefecture was instituted instead; during the Song (960--1279) it was the administrative centre of the Fujian Quarter; and in the Yuan (1271--1368), it served as the capital of Fujian Province. As a municipality, Fuzhou City was instituted in 1946.

  Now it operates as the capital of Fujian Province, with a population of 800,000.
The major scenic sites in Fuzhou are the Drum Hill, a name derived from a huge boulder in the shape of a drum atop the hill; Surging Spring Temple and Spirit Source Cave. In addition, there is the Bird Stone Hill known for such scenic wonders as Lingxiao Terrace, Tianzhang Terrace and Tiantai Bridge along with an ancient pagoda at the foot of the hill.

  Many stones inscriptions are found in the south of the hill. The one inscribed Notes of Banruo Terrace beside Kegon Rock is the oldest carved in cliff faces found in Fuzhou. Of no less renown is Yushan Hill. A story goes that in the Han (206 B.C.--A.D. 220), nine brothers of the Hes had stayed and refined pills of elixir in the hill, hence another name the Nine Immortal Hill for Yushan. When you stand at the top of the hill, the whole city of Fuzhou will be in view.

  At the western foot of the hill stands the White Pagoda Temple known for its Fayu Hall which is believed to be the former study of Yan Fu (1853--1921) and to the east of the temple is the shrine in honour of Ming Dynasty general Qi Jiguang (1528--1587).
  Pingshan Hill was originally the capital of the King of the state of Yue, hence the name King of Yue Hill. At the foot of the hill sites the Hualin Temple known for antiquity and magnificence. On the West Lake, which was dug in 282, floats two islets; sleeping willows, shimmering water and reflections of the islets are a feast for the eye.
  To serve Fuzhou's tourism there are the Minjiang Hotel, West Lake Hotel, Overseas Chinese Mansion, Meifeng Hotel, Huafu Hotel, Hualin Hotel, East Lake Hotel, Haishan Hotel and Fuquan Mansion. Fuzhou's lacquerwork, jasmine tea, Anxi's tieguanyin tea, Shanlin's dried bamboo shoots, xianggu mushroom, tremella, rosin and herbal medicines and Tong'an County's lancelets have special appeal to customers. Though with only one railway to keep it in contact with the outside overland, scheduled flights help it link up with Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Xiamen and Hong Kong.

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