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Photo: Mary Harrsch, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The original temple of this Goddess is on Meizhou Island in Putian. Her annual festival, in spring, brings over 100,000 visitors, including many from Taiwan and Southeast Asia, Putian also has two other Mazu temples, one downtown and the other north of the city.
Worldwide, Mazu is reported to have 3,000 temples and over 100 million worshippers, mainly fishermen and sailors. Mazu worship is on the UN list of intangible cultural heritage. There are at least two Mazu temples in San Francisco's Chinatown.
Mazu or Matsu is a sea goddess in Chinese folk religion, Chinese Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. She is also known by several other names and titles. Mazu is the deified form of Lin Moniang, a shamaness from Fujian who is said to have lived in the late 10th century. After her death, she became revered as a tutelary deity of Chinese seafarers, including fishermen and sailors.
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妈祖诞辰
The 23rd day of the third month of the lunar calendar.The celebration of Mazu's birthday is rich and colorful, and the core is a solemn sacrifice ceremony, in which devotees will worship devotionally at the Mazu Temple in Meizhou and other places to pray for peace, success and protection. As the god of the sea, the symbol of Mazu's "escort" spirit makes the parade an important part of the procession, and the statue of Mazu is carried onto floats and worshiped by believers along the street. During the festival, there are also folk performances such as Puxian opera, dragon and lion dance, and Nanyin, highlighting the local cultural characteristics. Combined with maritime culture, the fishing boat cruises show people's gratitude for the protection of Mazu. In addition, temple fairs and bazaars are bustling with activity, with offerings such as local delicacies and pingan cakes becoming the highlights of the festival, adding warmth and joy to this traditional event.
红星生态园
Located in Putian City, Hongxing Ecological Park is a park with the theme of ecological agriculture and leisure tourism. Offering an abundance of outdoor activities, such as vegetable picking, fishing and farm stays, visitors can get close to nature and experience the countryside idyllic. There are also family-friendly rides in the park, making it a great place to relax on vacation. Red Star Ecological Park promotes a green lifestyle through the concept of ecological environmental protection, while allowing visitors to experience healthy and organic food and agricultural products
南少林武术表演
South Shaolin Temple is one of the four major Shaolin temples in China. It has a long history, carries rich martial arts skills and enjoys a great reputation. South Shaolin martial arts performances are rich in content, usually including traditional martial arts routines such as boxing, stick, sword, etc., showing the strength and beauty of martial arts. In addition, different weapons will be used in the show, demonstrating skills and control of weapons, and some performances even include boxing and live combat, showing the practicality of martial arts. Performances come in a variety of forms, including solo and group performances, and sometimes audiences are invited to participate in interactions and experience simple martial arts movements. During the performance, martial arts instructors introduce the historical and cultural background of martial arts and increase the understanding of the audience. The performance is usually held in the South Shaolin Temple, and the environment is beautiful and the atmosphere is strong, which is suitable for viewing. The best time to watch is during holidays and specific events, such as martial arts festivals and cultural festivals, when the performance is more frequent and large, and is a wonderful experience not to be missed by martial arts enthusiasts and culture lovers. If you have a chance to visit Putian, don't miss this rich traditional culture feast!
大观山
Daguan Mountain is famous for its towering mountains and rich natural scenery. There are winding streams and cascading waterfalls, and the scenery of the four seasons is different, especially in the spring and autumn season, the flowers are lush and the climate is pleasant. Daguan Mountain has a number of hiking trails suitable for all kinds of tourists, climbing to the top of the mountain can overlook Putian city and surrounding beautiful scenery, with a wide view. In addition, there are many historical and cultural sites and observation decks on the mountain, so visitors can learn about the history and culture of the region and enjoy a peaceful walking experience. Spring and autumn season is the best time to play, suitable for family and friends to explore. If you like nature and culture, you should definitely not miss the charm of Grand View Mountain.
东海滩
This beach is known for its delicate sandy beaches and clear waters. The sand is white and delicate, and the beach is wide and great for sunbathing and swimming. The water temperature is moderate. The East Beach also offers surfing lessons and equipment rental. Near the beach are numerous restaurants and stalls where visitors can enjoy fresh seafood and local specialties. The beach is equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas. There is also a dressing room and shower facilities nearby. Summer (June to September) is the best time to visit. A large number of tourists come on holidays, and the atmosphere is lively.
莆田陶瓷博物馆
Putian Ceramics Museum focuses on displaying Putian's rich ceramic culture and history, showcasing a variety of traditional handmade ceramics and modern ceramic works, reflecting the unique local art style. The museum introduces the development process and process characteristics of ceramics through textual explanation and multimedia display. The museum also regularly holds workshops on ceramic production, where visitors can experience the process of drawing blanks and glazing for themselves. In addition, from time to time, the museum holds exhibitions and lectures on ceramic art to enhance visitors' understanding of ceramic culture. There is also a small shop selling ceramic works by local artists, which sells characteristic handwritten letters and is a great place to learn and experience Putian ceramic culture.