A natural mountain retreat, this emerging destination is called Gutian, and is known as the mushroom capital of China, and arguably the world. Located in northern Fujian this fascinating city is only a 4-5 hour drive from Xiamen.

Thanks to its location, Gutian’s climate and geological conditions are uniquely suited for growing mushrooms. Mushrooms growing takes place throughout the county, with mushroom drying and processing plants and other supporting industries built around the numerous farms.

In fact, Gutian County boasts more than 100,000 mushroom farmers and 5,000 mushroom-related businesses. Meanwhile, mushroom merchants number in excess of 5,000, many of whom are based in the Mushroom Trade Centre in the town centre, which always enjoys a roaring trade.

Gutian mushrooms are considered the best in China and the county was awarded the title of “The Capital of Edible Fungus in China” by China’s Edible Fungi Association in December, 2007.  

Huangchulin Hot Spring Resort

At the border of Gutian County and Minqing County is the Xiongjiang Valley scenic spot where the Minjiang River weaves between densely forested foothills. There is a turn-off from the main road into the mountain roads that leads to one of the largest hot spring resorts in the region called Huangchulin Hot Springs Resort.

Huangchulin Hot Springs Resort is nestled deep in the forest surrounded by mountains where hot springs and mountain springs are both found in abundance. The thermal spring water is trapped and collected at various pools and ponds, sometimes under cover and sometimes out in the open.

The unique attraction of Huangchulin is that the hot springs are very close to a pool, refreshing mountain springs.

Huangchulin’s virgin forest boasts incredible natural scenic spots including The Long Corridor Miniature Garden, the Baizhang and A’bu Pond’ waterfalls, and many more.

Huangchulin Hot Springs Resort’s lucky visitors get to experience a genuine paradise, a forest sanctuary boasting absolute tranquility to soothe the soul and fantastic treatments to heal the body.  

Sanfang Qixiang (三坊七巷), or Three Lanes and Seven Alleys in Fuzhou, is a residential neighbourhood which can trace its origins back to the end of the Tang Dynasty, over a thousand years ago. By the Song Dynasty, it was home to local officials, the city's wealthy elite and scholars. Later, during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it underwent rapid development. During this period, and in mid-to-late Qing in particular, many buildings that are today considered of great historical significance, were constructed in Sanfang Qixiang.

Small though it is, Sanfang Qixiang produced a remarkable number of people who contributed to social progress locally and nationally. Today, Sanfang Qixiang occupies an area of 40 hectares and has more than 200 buildings; and it still retains its traditional lane and alley layout.

The history of the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys continues to inspire people. With its rich and fascinating past and its rare architectural features, Sanfang Qixiang attracts visitors from far and wide. By the 1990s, however, with many large-scale construction projects being launched in Fuzhou, it occurred to people that Sanfang Qixiang might be under threat.