| Putian | |
| Native Name: | 莆田市 |
| Native Name Lang: | zh |
| Settlement Type: | Prefecture-level city |
| Pushpin Map: | China Fujian#China |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | China |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Name1: | Fujian |
| Seat Type: | Municipal seat |
| Leader Title: | CPC Secretary |
| Leader Name: | Fu Chaoyang |
| Leader Title1: | Mayor |
| Leader Name1: | Lin Xuyang |
| Area Total Km2: | 4119 |
| Area Urban Km2: | 2284 |
| Area Metro Km2: | 2284 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 census |
| Population Footnotes: | [1] |
| Population Total: | 3210714 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Population Metro: | 2305646 |
| Population Density Metro Km2: | auto |
| Population Urban: | 2305646 |
| Population Density Urban Km2: | auto |
| Demographics Type2: | GDP[2] |
| Demographics2 Title1: | Prefecture-level city |
| Demographics2 Info1: | CN¥ 277 billion US$ 38.3 billion |
| Demographics2 Title2: | Per capita |
| Demographics2 Info2: | CN¥ 94,109 US$ 12,995 |
| Timezone: | Time in China |
| Utc Offset: | +8 |
| Coor Pinpoint: | Putian Government Plaza |
| Coordinates: | 25.4526°N 119.0078°W |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code |
| Postal Code: | 351100、351200 |
| Area Code: | 594 |
| Blank4 Name: | License Plate Prefixes |
| Blank4 Info: | Chinese: 闽B |
| Blank5 Name: | Local variety |
| Blank5 Info: | Puxian Min |
| Psp: | Putian |
| W: | P'u2-t'ien2 |
| P: | Pútián[3] |
| H: | Phû-thièn |
| Poj: | Phô͘-chhân |
| Buc: | Può-dièng |
| Hhbuc: | Pó-chéng |
Putian (Putian dialect: Pó-chéng), also known as Puyang (莆阳) and Puxian (莆仙), historically known as Xinghua, is a prefecture-level city in Fujian Province, People's Republic of China. It borders Fuzhou to the north, Quanzhou to the south, and the Taiwan Strait's Xinghua Bay to the east.[4] Mulan River flows through the city.
Putian was first founded as an administrative area in the year of 568 as a city county during the Chen dynasty.
Putian was later established as a military administered city in 979. Putian is known as the counterfeit sneaker capital with counterfeiters protected from internationally intellectual property law enforcement by the notoriously corrupt local courts.[5]
Pó-chéng-uā (莆田话), a sub-dialect of Min Chinese is spoken.
Putian has become an export base for Fujian products. The main industries are shoe-making, brewing, electronics, garments, fruits, vegetables, machinery and electrical goods.[6] In particular, the area is known for high-quality counterfeits of shoes[7] and the domination of Chinese private healthcare.[8] [9]
Putian is known for Putian (Henghwa) cuisine, a unique style of cuisine that places a heavy emphasis on fresh seafood. Duotou clams, locally harvested around the village of Duotou, are particularly well known.
Meizhou Island, most famous for being the legendary birthplace of the goddess Mazu, is located closely offshore of Putian.According to legends, Mazu in her earthly incarnation died on the seashore of Xianliang Harbor, in the coastal area of Putian, where Xianliang Mazu Temple hosts pilgrims from different Chinese provinces and from Taiwan, particularly for the ceremonies commemorating the goddess' death held in October.[10] Because of its hosting "the most sacred places for Mazu believers," Putian is known as "Mazu's hometown."[11]
Putian's municipal executive, legislature and judiciary are in Chengxiang District (Chinese: 城厢区). The municipal region comprises three other districts and one county: