Zhangzhou city in East China's Fujian province boasts an inclusive maritime culture and a deeply rooted Hakka culture. The beauty of its mountains and seas intertwines with its millennia-old civilization.

Members of the 2024 A Date with China international media tour visited Zhangzhou from May 19 to 21, exploring its ecological and cultural beauty.

The timeless charm of a 1,300-year-old ancient town

The Zhangzhou Ancient City, with a history spanning more than 1,300 years, is an important birthplace of the Hakka culture - rooted in migrants in southern China who originated from lands adjacent to the Yellow River. It's also a vital stop on the Maritime Silk Road.

The commercial prosperity of the Tang (618-907), Song (960-1279), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties merged here, leaving a legacy of historical affluence.

A visit to the historic city would not be complete without experiencing its renowned glove puppet shows, which have a history of more than 1,000 years. Members of the 2024 A Date with China tour watched the puppetry performance, Daming Prefecture, on May 19, which featured traditional stunts such as acrobatics, lion dancing and martial arts.