Sanming has been the birthplace to a galaxy of talents from the beginning of time. For example; Zhuxi - a famous neo-confucionist in the Song Dynasty and Yangshi - a famous writer in the Qing Dynasty. Today's Sanming is characteristic of spiritual construction which gives priority to education in patriotism and ethics (social ethics, business ethics, and family ethics). There are a variety of associations and Art Festivals are held throughout the year.

Mandarin is the only language, but because of China's vast area and 56 minority nationalities there are a variety of dialects spoken in China, especially in Fujian Province due to poor transportation conditions in ancient time. Sanming is of no exception.

Children in China learn English from primary school, also, English is a required course in every college and university in China. The Opening and Reform Drive as well as a foreign-oriented economy also greatly promote the use of English in China. So most young people nowadays in China have an excellent mastery of English, especially those white-collars who have high academic titles and work for foreign companies in large cities.

TRANSPORTATION
A domestic airport of Grade 2 is under construction. Interstate Highway 205 and Intercity Highway 212 run across Sanming. Airplanes are available at Change International Airport, a 5-hour drive, and Xiamen International Airport, a 7-hour drive. Trains with sleepers to other parts of China are also available. There is now a port for cargo transportation. The comprehensive-exploited project of Shaxi river is also under construction and will build a port allowing ships of 300 tons to anchor in addition to its electricity-generating function.

ATTRACTIONS
(1) Golden Lake: a unique scenic spot combining arenaceous landform (it is locally called rosy clouds landform) with a grand lake. You will have an exploration experience by rubber boat and will be impressed by a myriad of waterfalls, relics, temples with unique structure as well as rare plants. It is a terrific resort giving you a chance to return to nature and is open throughout the year.
(2) Linying Stone forest: famous for its stalactites of different postures occupying an area of 1.21 sq. kilometers, an attraction to geologists.
(3) Yuhua Cave: with a length of 5 kilometers, it is the longest in Fujian Province. It is a limestone cave and has a constant temperature of 18oC, a nice place for geological study.
(4) Shangshu Mansion: is the residence of an official in the Ming Dynasty about 800 years ago.
(5) Zhuxi's residence: Zhuxi is a famous neo-confucionist in the Song Dynasty.

LANDSCAPE
Crustal movements in remote antiquity created igneous rocks, lava, and carst topography and a landscape which is bestrewn with mountains, streams, caves, and rocks. At the protection of the state-level are Golden Lake in Taining, Peach-Blossom Brook, and Linying Stone forest in Yongan. At the protection of the provincial level there are Yuhua Cave in Ninghua and Ruiyun Hill in Meilie. In addition, there are several natural reserves for rare plants and animals and ancient architecture.

The climate around Sanming is a subtropical, wet, monsoon climate. Sanming is endowed with rich rainfall, a long frost-free period and a good ecological environment. The frost-free period averages 305.4 days. Average annual precipitation is 1550 - 1800mm and average annual temperature is 19.5 C.

PAPER CURRENCY
The Chinese government prints money in the following denominations: 100 yuan, 50 yuan, 10 yuan, 5 yuan, 2 yuan, 1 yuan.
As pictures on the papers might be confusing to people from foreign countries, your best bet is to concentrate on the large numbers in all four corners on the front and back.

COINS
There are 100 fen in one yuan. Coins come in the following denominations: 1 yuan, 5 jiao (0.5 yuan), 1 jiao (0.1 yuan), 5 fen (0.5 jiao), 2 fen, 1 fen.
You, and almost everybody else, will never see most of these coins; 1 yuan, 5 jiao are the most commonly used.

EXCHANGE RATE (roughly): US$ : RMB = 1 : 8.20 - 1: 8.40
An amount under 10,000 US dollars can be exchanged freely into RMB at international affairs department of the four banks in Sanming and some star hotels in big cities.

Workings of Sanming Municipal Government
It is the executive arm of Sanming People's Congress and the administrative arm of Sanming. It is responsible for and shall report its work to the People's Congress. It is also responsible for Fujian Provincial Government. They are under the leadership of the State Council. Its functions and powers are:
(1) execute resolutions of Sanming People's Congress and has command over upper administrative arms; issues orders and decisions.
(2) manages administrative affairs of Sanming, appoints and removes public servants.
(3) protects public properties and legal properties of citizens, maintains social order and safeguards the rights of citizens.

Present Mayor of Sanming: Cai Qi.
Pursuant to Chinese law, the mayor shall be elected by representatives of Sanming People's Congress and the term is five years long.

China has a 9-year Compulsory universal education system. The State Education Commission is the highest institute in charge of education in China. Education in the People's Republic of China began on the weak foundation of the economically backward and educationally underdeveloped old China. Shortly after the birth of New China, the old public and private schools were taken over. The old educational system was abolished and the policy of making education accessible to workers and peasants was implemented.

At present, the length of education is six years for primary school, three years for junior middle school, three years for senior middle school, and four years for college and university (five years in some cases)

Higher Education in Sanming:
In addition to the college and university described below, there are many vocational schools offering different courses.

SANMING UNIVERSITY (Jingdong, Sanming):
Enrollment: 1,600
Faculty: 15
As a vocational university, Sanming University continues to give top priority to serving the whole region. Its 8 departments offer curriculum ranging from engineering, mechanical automation, chemistry, to public relations.

SANMING TEACHER'S COLLEGE (Jingdong, Sanming)
Enrollment: 1,200
Faculty: 10
As its name suggests, it is a college aimed at training teachers for the whole region. Its 10 departments offer curriculum ranging from Chinese Language, History, Geography, to Arts.