Impression Fuzhou-----Another look at Fuzhou Food

Fuzhou is the capital city of Fujian province in Southeastern China. Fujian province is one of the most linguistically diverse province, so the idea that people from Fujian province all speak Fujian dialect is apparently not true. Anyway, so why am I so interested in this? My paternal grandparents are from Fuzhou, so technically, I love eating some Fuzhou dishes, and my favorite to this day is still the Fuzhou fishball soup.
Fuzhou fishballs are slightly different from the regular fishballs because they usually come with stuffed minced pork inside. If you don't know what a fishball is and you are starting to wonder if fish have balls, or if I am talking about fish genitals, then sorry to disappoint, it's not that exotic. Fishballs are made by pounding fish meat into a soft paste, adding flour and making into round shapes. The end result is these little yummy things cooked in clear broth (see second photo).

On the corner of Eldridge & Broome is this unattractive looking small restaurant that sells Fuzhou food, I always see people eating there (note: only Chinese though) so last weekend I went and ordered the fishball soup & ban mien (noodle with peanut sauce). The fishballs weren't as good as the ones I grew up eating, but it was comfort food nonetheless. I thought peanut sauce (and some soy sauce) on noodles would be a bit weird but it was actually quite delicious. And the best part was, two ban mien and a bowl of large fishball soup (with 11 fishballs) only came up to $7 for two people!

Impression Fuzhou--------New Travel Program initiated

It is said that Fujian Province will join together with travel authorities of both mainland China and Taiwan to start a new program to attract more mainland tourists to visit Taiwan via Fujian,which is separated with Taiwan by the Taiwan Straights. This actions is seen as another program to better the relationship between mainland China and Taiwan Authority through a closer economical tie.

Reports from People's Daily,one of the most important media in China,said that Fujian Provincial Tourism Bureau has sent a proposal to the tourism bureaus of 25 Chinese provinces which have been allowed to provide services to Taiwan,suggesting these provinces to join in the program claiming to organize at least one million mainland tourists to the largest island of China.FPTB says it will work with provincial travel companies and tourism professionals from Taiwan to organize three groups this year to promote the program in other Chinese provinces.

In recent years, Fujian province has been actively cooperating with the Taiwanese tourism industry and has achieved remarkable results. Statistics from FPTB shows that in the first quarter of this year, more than 10,000 mainland tourists visited Taiwan via Fujian, and by the end of March 2009, over 71,000 Fujian residents had visited Jinmen, Mazu, or Penghu and more than 12,000 Fujian residents had visited Taiwan Island.

These actions in fact are benefiting the Island especially in the economic woe.Taiwan needs much more money from the mainland,although they've enjoyed much Favorable Balance against the mainland these years. But people are worrying that a closer dependence on mainland China might decrease the independence of Taiwan.Mainland

Live Fuzhou------a great city you'll definitely love!

Fuzhou,the capital of Fujian Province,which faces Taiwan and is a very important tie to Taiwan. Fuzhou is a city with a character 福（Fu),which means happiness in Chinese.So it is also called the City of Happiness.Fuzhou is an old city and people built at least 2000 years ago. This city has many banyan trees beside its old streets. So people give Fuzhou another nickname-------榕城,which means the city of banyan trees.Fuzhou is a city of heroes. One of the most famous in history is Lin zexu. Who was the leader of Anti-doping battle in Qing dynasty in the 19th century.He's also recognized as the first man in then China to get a peer of the western world.

Fuzhou is also famous for its beautiful scenery.Here you can find as many mountains as you like. When you come here and have a look in all directions,you'll find that it's a city of mountains. Many people who live in Japan,the US,the UK and other overseas countries come from Fuzhou.So it's also the city of overseas Chinese.

Food is also a great feature of this city.There are many kinds of dishes which you couldn't find anywhere else.One of the most famous dish is Fishballs. People like to order this special and delicious dish when the come to Fuzhou.You might have a try when you come here!

Original Fuzhou people like speak its original dialect. This language has not got its characters,like many dialects in China. But don't worry,if you don't speak the dialect,you could get many volunteers for a free travel guide in this city.Fuzhou is a city of buddhism. There are many famous and old temples in this city,like Temple Xican(Xican Si).Visitors love these beautiful and quiet places.There are lots for overseas visitors coming to this city!