Putian, Fujian province has many ancient architectural sites featuring red brick and swallow tail ridges. [Photo by Zhang Jieshan/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Putian is a famous historical city in central Fujian province, with a land area of 4,200 square kilometers and a sea area of 11,000 sq km.

As of the end of 2023, the city's resident population was 3.18 million.

The city borders Fuzhou to the north and Quanzhou to the south, and is only 72 sea miles away from Taichung Port of Taiwan.

In 2023, Putian reported a regional GDP of about 320 billion yuan ($44.17 billion), an increase of 4 percent compared to that of 2022, official data showed.

Boasting a typical subtropical oceanic monsoon climate, Putian's average annual temperatures hover around 16 to 21 degrees Celsius. Three bays — Meizhou Bay, Xinghua Bay and Pinghai Bay — are located in Putian, where there are a variety of seafood, including eel, shrimp, crab, and Dingchang fish.

The city is also a top tourist destination with a wide range of attractions, especially religious architecture, such as Mazu Temple and Sanqingdian, which attract thousands of visitors from around the world annually.

Putian is also renowned for its Mazu culture. Meizhou, a seaside resort in Putian, is believed to be the hometown of Mazu — a revered goddess of the sea who is worshipped on both sides of the Strait. Many Taiwan compatriots make annual pilgrimages to Meizhou to honor Mazu.

There are many ancient architectural sites featuring red brick and swallow tail ridges in Putian. Experts said they are non-renewable cultural relics of the city. Many of the houses are located along coastlines and have delicate design. In recent years, the local government has worked to preserve the relics, saying they can help locals remember their roots, and share the city's history with others. The city now features a harmonious combination of modern buildings and ancient villages.

The city of Putian in Fujian province is shrouded in heavy fog on a morning. [Photo by Cai Hao/For China Daily]