Fuzhou: If you go

Cuisine: Try bamboo shoot soup and Wuyi smoked goose at local diners, and finish with a cup of Dahongpao tea available in many teahouses and farms. In Fuzhou, don't miss the springy fish balls in clear broth, the luxurious fotiaoqiang (Buddha Jumps Over the Wall), and the sweet-and-sour lychee pork.

Activities: Take a bamboo raft along the Nine-bend River for serene mountain views, and climb Tianyou Peak for a breathtaking sunrise. If time allows, visit local tea plantations to learn about traditional tea-making and taste authentic rock tea. In Fuzhou, stroll through Sanfang Qixiang to experience the city's history reflected in well-preserved traditional houses, and then enjoy lunch or afternoon tea at Yantai Hill. End your evening at the vibrant night markets around Dongjiekou, sampling local snacks and browsing handmade crafts.