Zhangzhou is located on the lower reaches of the Jiulong River in the southeast of Fujian Province. It was one of China's chief ports for foreign trade in early times and is still a distribution centre for commercial cargoes on the Jiulong River. 

The area around the city is rich in farm products such as assorted flowers, mushrooms, vegetables, oranges, tangerines, bananas, shaddocks, longans, litchis, pineapples, and many others fruits. Zhangzhou has a well developed food-processing industry. Apart from fruits and veggies industries, Zhangzhou has rich tourism resources too. 

The region belongs to subtropical maritime climate, like spring all the year round, and with perennial average temperature of 21℃, the scenic zone is the best choice for vacational tour. In Zhangzhou, the most significant natural scenic spot is its National Geology Park; call the Scenic Zone of Zhangpu-Linjinyu Coastal Volcano.

Zhangzhou Coastal Volcano National Geology Park 

Located at coastal area of Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province and covering an area of about 100 square kilometers, Zhangzhou Coastal Volcano National Geology Park is unique in China. Represented by four kinds of volcanic formations that are rarely seen in the world, and having kept down the eruption vestige of typical central-type volcanoes in the tertiary epoch and the weathered marine abrasion landform of later period, the scenic zone is of multidisciplinary scientific research value for geological structure, volcanology, ancient geography etc. In 2001, it was awarded " National Geology Park". 

It is a typical Age 3 volcanic geographical park, composed of “two mountains, two islands and three bays”. The geological geomorphologic terrain was formed by the central eruption of the volcanoes and the wind and sea erosion between 28.61 million and 15.41 million years ago, due to the movement of Himalayas. 

It reflects the movement of the new generation of volcanoes and the involvement of the geological structure in the west Pacific Ocean. A batch of physiognomic wonders, such as the volcano outlet in the shape of eight diagrams (for fortune telling), “plum flower pole”, the column of bubble holes, corals, fish-scale shaped stone water fall, sea eroded caves, sea eroded cliffs have been created by nature, hence the name of Marine Terra Cotta.

South Taiwu Mountain 

South Taiwu Mountain here and North Taiwu Mountain of Kinmen faces each other across a great distance, and they are known to be " Sister Mountains". To the overseas Chinese born in Zhangzhou, South Taiwu Mountain is a symbol of hometown, and a synonym for motherland. Fuxing Temple on South Taiwu Mountain with burning incense all the year round, is the "the Holy Land" for emigrants from home and abroad to rest their sense of home and belonging. 

Glossy Ganoderma hill (Zhishan) 

Standing in the northwest of the city, this hill was named for the purple glossy ganoderma, a medicinal herb, said to be growing on its slopes. The hill is the highest peak in Zhangzhou. Many temples were built on the hill since the Tang Dynasty (618-907), but most of the buildings were desolated over the years and there remain only three pavilions: Ganlu, Xianzhen, and Rihua. 

South Hill Temple (Nanshansi) 

A well-known Buddhist monastery in the south of Zhangzhou, this temple was first built during the Tang Dynasty, and the existing buildings were reconstructed during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The temple has magnificent buildings and spacious compounds. At the shrine of the main hall, there is a statue of the Buddha made of pure white marble. The five-meter statue of Maitreya in the center of the hall was carved from a huge single piece of stone during the Tang Dynasty. 

Eating in Zhangzhou 

There is not only the natural scenic beauty of volcano landform rarely seen in the world or the great temples nestled among the mountains, but also a great variety of abundant seafood to savour. Ocean farming, fishery, fishermen and abundant coastal water resources have made Zhongzhou a place for huge selection of seafood cuisine. Being Minan cultured, the dishes found here are very similar to that of Xiamen. 

With its fresh veggies typically grown in the area, you can expect some of the freshest of the fruits and veggies  

How to get there 

Zhangzhou is only a stone throw away from Xiamen. If you are traveling from Haicang of Xiamen and have your own car, it takes only half hour by road. The local Taxi will be happy to take you there with meter reading charges that will usually not exceed 160rmb one way.  

Or alternatively, there are Ferries you can take to cross from Xiamen Island to Zhangzhou. The fare for the ferry is about 4rmb one way. Take the ferry from Tongyi Ferry Terminal next to Golden Residential Plaza in Dongdu, and bring along your bicycle to ride through the beaten paths. There may be a small charge for taking the bicycle on the ferry. 

The best way to tramp through the National Geology Park is by mountain bicycles and in small group of friends.