Fuman is about 20 kilometres to the west-southwest of Rasht, and 356 kilometres away from Tehran. It is situated near the foothills of the Talysh Highlands. Fuman is on the road to the historical city of Masuleh and as a result receives a sizeable amount of tourists.

Rice has been cultivated in this region for many years. Fuman also produces popular cookies known as koluche. Fuman's koluche is thinner and larger than its brethren in Lahijan.

The city is also known for its statues, including the statue of the ancient Iranian goddess Anahita and the statue of the Four Girls.

From 660 to 760, Fuman functioned as the seat of the Zoroastrian Dabuyid rulers. During the period of the Mongol occupation of Iran, Fuman and Lahijan were among the main towns of Gilan. The local ruler of Fuman at that time, was able to generate a large amount of revenue through lucrative silk trade. According to Hamdallah Mustawfi (died 1349), Fuman was a large city, and the center of a wealthy region which produced large quantities of "wheat, rice and silk".