Lin Zexu: introducing Western civilization to China
Chairman Mao Tse-Tung named, Lin Zexu a national hero for his protests against colonization and his burning of opium stocks in Humen beach in June 1839. But Lin also went on to translate the World Geography Record so the Chinese could be enlightened about the rest of the world. He also built the Karez well in Xinjiang province, which was praised by local people as Lin’s well.
Three Mountains, Two Towers and One River: the natural emblem of the city
Surrounded by three mountains, two towers and one river (Mt. Ping, Mt. Wu, Mt. Yu; Wu Tower, Bai Tower and Min River), Fuzhou is boasted with the unique feature of the integration of mountains, water and the city.
Mt. Gu: the fame of charming scenery spreads far
Mt. Gu is located at the east countryside of Fuzhou, north by the Min River. It is said a giant stone in the shape of a drum erecting at the top of the mountain. Every time wind and rain hit, it sounds like the drum beat and therefore the mountain got its name “Gu” (Gu means drum). Back to one thousand years, Mt.Gu was already described in the Record of City Relocation written by Guo Pu that Min province is blessed with two treasures. One is Mt. Qi on the left and one is Mt. Gu on the right. Abounded in evergreen trees, elegant rocks and caves, the mountain saw the Yongquan Temple with thousand years there wins “the crown of temples’ in Min province. Above 700 cliff side inscriptions were made by famous scholars, such as Cai Xi, Li Gang, Zhao Ruyu, Zhu Xi in Song Dynasty (960-1279), Zhu De and Guo Moruo in modern times. Min Opera: traditional music arouses nostalgia
Min Opera, also referred as Fuzhou Opera, is originated from Kunshan Opera and Yiyang Opera in Ming Dynasty in the form of local dialect. From 1871-1911, it is called as Min troupe while in 1924, in the opera Purple Jade Hairpin written by Zhen Zhenguo, it is formally shifted its name to the present one-Min Opera.
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