Liancheng (China)

It's one of the oldest populated areas in China, with a history dating back to 7,000BC. Linguistics prove this point, as a multitude of dialects are spoken in the region. People joke that if you travel for 5 miles in Fujian, you'll see a difference in culture; if you travel for 10, it'll be the language that changes.

The region is famous for its 3 or 4 storey Tulou houses - immense, round, enclosed structures. Hongkeng village is one of the most beautiful examples. Traditional Hakka minority constructions, they are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Two interesting and easily accessible outings are to the Buddhist temples of Guanghua, at the foot of Mount Phoenix, 2km south of Putian, as well as that of Kaiyuan, a recognized, national monument.