Jian'ou, also known as Zhicheng, is located in the northern part of Fujian province to the southeast of Wuyishan Mountain. In 196 AD during the Han Dynasty, the county was set up and became an ancient historical city. It is a political, economic, cultural, and transportation center, covering an area of 4233 square km with a population of 510,000.

Weather: subtropical monsoon

Local products: tea, bamboo, timber, mushroom, lotus seeds

Local delicacy: dried duck

Major attractions: Guangxiao Temple (Buddhist), Mazu Temple (Taoist), Confucius Temple, Huanghuashan Park

Guangxiao Temple was first built in 558 during the Northern & Southern Dynasty(between Tang and Song); it has been destroyed many times by natural disaters and by fires. Some parts are still under construction.

Mazu Temple. Mazu is one of popular gods. It originated in Fujian and spread far and wide. Mazu is Goddess of the Sea. Her main duty is protecting the fisherman. Due to her immense influence, the landlocked people worship her too. There was a temple long standing at this site but it was not originally hers. In June 1998, during severe flooding, a village was not destroyed because, they believe, a piece of huge wood protected them. They worshipped the wood and believe it is of Mazu God. They carved it into a Mazu Statue. Inside the temple there are many statues carved out of tree roots.

Confucius Temple. The one in Jian'ou is said to be very old. In almost every major city in China, a Confucius Temple was a must before communist took over.

Huanghuashan Park. This is a new open park with no historic significance except there is a revolution monument standing there. The martyrs are those communist soldiers who died in fighting to drive Kuaomindang out of the mainland around 1950.