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"How many people have walked across the Luoyang Bridge, and how many ships have sailed out of Quanzhou Bay."
Over the course of thousands of seasons, the Maritime Silk Road has enabled economic and cultural exchanges and mutual learning between China and the West. The surviving historical relics are still located in the deep streets and alleys of Quanzhou, growing together with the ancient city, and constitute Quanzhou's rich, diverse and unique historical and cultural heritage and tourism resources.
For five days and four nights, I tried to measure the span of Quanzhou's history with my own feet, and carefully explored this city, the only city in the country that has all three categories of "intangible cultural heritage" listed by UNESCO.
Kaiyuan Temple, Tianhou Palace, Fuwen Temple, Laojun Rock, Jiuri Mountain, Qingjing Mosque, Chongwu Ancient City, etc. Each representative historical site in Quanzhou is like a necklace connecting the thousand-year evolution of this glorious city. I also use the check-in method to show them one by one, showing the charm of the thousand-year-old Quanzhou City full of glory.
Quanzhoucheck the details
Quanzhou, also known as Licheng, Citongcheng, and Wenling, is currently the economic center of Fujian Province and one of Fujian's three major urban centers. It is also a renowned hometown of overseas Chinese and the ancestral home of Taiwanese compatriots. Located on my country's southeastern coast, Quanzhou faces Taiwan across the sea. In ancient times, Quanzhou Port was known as the "Greatest Port in the East," rivaling the Port of Alexandria in Egypt. Approved by the State Council, Quanzhou was one of the first 24 historical and cultural cities announced, earning it the reputation of "Zou Lu by the Sea" and "City of Light."
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Our exploration journey begins at the Quanzhou Overseas Transportation History Museum, China's only museum dedicated to the history of overseas transportation, specifically reflecting the history of ancient maritime transportation.
It is centered on the history of the medieval Citong Port, also known as Quanzhou Port. Its unique maritime relics reproduce ancient Chinese maritime culture and confirm the development history of the "largest port in the East" in the Middle Ages and the prosperity of overseas trade.
In the centuries since cargo ships from foreign states arrived at the Port of Qitong along the Maritime Silk Road, countless cargo ships operated by Han people or foreign merchants have frequently traveled between the Port of Qitong and every city accessible by this prosperous trade route.
During its heyday, Citong Port, hailed as the greatest port in the East, demonstrated an open and inclusive spirit towards these foreign merchants who traveled thousands of miles across the vast ocean. They were allowed to reside in the city, and many of these foreign merchants eventually settled in Quanzhou, intermarrying with Han Chinese and establishing temples. The religious beliefs, building materials, and techniques they brought with them have continuously influenced Quanzhou's traditional architecture, creating the millennium-old Quanzhou Ancient City that remains today.
Important artifacts on display at the museum include ancient religious stone carvings and Song Dynasty sea vessels from Quanzhou Bay. The Quanzhou Overseas Transportation History Museum boasts seven branches, including the Quanzhou Religious Stone Carvings Exhibition Hall, the Chinese Ships of the World Exhibition Hall, the Arab-Persian People in Quanzhou Exhibition Hall, and the Quanzhou Bay Ancient Ship Exhibition Hall, showcasing the charm of Quanzhou, the "Greatest Port in the East."
Tips:
Tickets: Free
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 8:30-17:30
Address: No. 425, Donghu Street, Fengze District, Quanzhou City, Fujian Province
The overall tour of the Maritime Museum gives everyone a general understanding of Quanzhou’s past and present. To truly enter the ancient city and check in the ancient monuments, of course, you have to start from Kaiyuan Temple.
The East and West Pagodas of Kaiyuan Temple, visible before you, were once the tallest structures in Quanzhou's ancient city. Nestled amidst lush greenery, Kaiyuan Temple is Quanzhou's oldest architectural complex, located in the middle section of West Street in the heart of the ancient city. It is a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Site, a National Key Han Buddhist Temple (the only one in Fujian Province), a significant cultural relic on my country's southeastern coast, and the largest Buddhist temple in Fujian Province. Construction began in the second year of the Tang Dynasty's Chuigong reign (686 AD), bringing its history to over 1,300 years. Its main structure took shape during the Song Dynasty, and it has undergone numerous renovations throughout the dynasties, now occupying nearly 80,000 square meters.
The architectural style of Kaiyuan Temple incorporates a large amount of foreign culture. The East and West Pagodas in the temple are a pair of the tallest stone pagodas in my country. The most distinctive features are the 24 flying celestial musicians, which are called "Garuda" in Buddhism, meaning the bird of wonderful music.
In addition to the temples and the East and West Pagodas displaying the exquisite architectural art of southern Fujian, Hindu architectural components are also used, witnessing the convergence and integration of diverse cultures in Quanzhou.
Kaiyuan Temple also boasts some of the world's best relics, including the "Ancient Mulberry and Lotus Trees" from the Tang Dynasty that have stood for thousands of years, the "Ganlu Ordination Platform" from the Northern Song Dynasty that is rare both at home and abroad, and the "East and West Twin Towers" from the Southern Song Dynasty.
The majestic and quiet ancient temple and its long history make Kaiyuan Temple the No. 1 must-see scenic spot for all tourists visiting Quanzhou.
Tips:
Tickets: Free
Opening hours: 8:00-17:30
Address: West Street, Licheng District
Transportation: In the city, you can take bus No. 26, No. 41, No. 601, No. 6, No. K602, etc. and get off at Kaiyuan Temple West Gate Station.
After coming out of Kaiyuan Temple, it is recommended that you make a stop at the Tourist Service Center on West Street. The most unmissable thing here is definitely the internet-famous ice cream in the shape of the East and West Pagodas. Buy an ice cream and go to the platform on the third floor of the tourist center to take a photo with the East and West Pagodas. This is the most fashionable way to take a souvenir.
If you are a literary person, you will definitely like the dozens of Quanzhou commemorative medals here that you can punch in and knock on, as well as a large number of Quanzhou cultural and creative souvenirs to buy, carvings of old bricks of ancient houses, auspicious and cute lions, refrigerator magnets, bookmarks and lucky charms. There are also many styles to choose from. I couldn't help but buy a lot.
Exiting the Visitor Center, you'll find yourself in front of Quanzhou Ancient City's most famous West Street. As Quanzhou's earliest developed neighborhood, West Street still retains numerous historic buildings, resembling a knowledgeable elder steeped in memories and emotions. Time-honored shops line the street, filling it with traditional businesses from the main street to the end of the alley.
Walking through the streets and alleys extending from West Street, you can not only see colorful cultural relics and ancient houses and towers along the way, but also see many hipster shops that outline the creativity of life and create a beautiful life of their own.
The old streets and alleys are naturally full of the temptation of old-fashioned flavors. Walk to the stalls that specialize in bowl cakes, spring rolls, Shangyuan balls, and flower buns, enjoy the quaint and graceful scenery, taste authentic southern Fujian snacks, and listen to the older generation of West Street tell the long-forgotten past of the ancient city.
Tianhou Temple, located on Tianhou Road, Licheng District, is the highest-specification and oldest Mazu temple of its kind at home and abroad, and is also a national key cultural relic protection unit.
Formerly known as "Tianfei Palace", it was built in the second year of Qingyuan in the Song Dynasty (1196). It is known as the "Wenling Holy Temple" and is an important historical site of the "Maritime Silk Road".
Its architectural complex still preserves components from the Song Dynasty and wooden structures from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and relatively intactly preserves ancient buildings such as the majestic main hall and rear hall.
It is not difficult to imagine that we have arrived at Quanzhou's Fuwen Temple from the aerial photos of Panchi, which is also a national key cultural relic protection unit. It was also the venue for the CCTV Spring Festival Gala branch in the Year of the Monkey.
The Quanzhou Confucian Temple, also known as the "Confucius Temple", is a hall dedicated to Confucius and Quanzhou's ancient culture and education. The one in Quanzhou is the largest Confucian Temple in the southeastern provinces of my country.
It was first built at the end of the Kaiyuan period of the Tang Dynasty. The entire building is magnificent in scale and rich in connotation. The temple displays more than 500 cultural relics such as the works and relics of famous people in Quanzhou throughout the dynasties, as well as ritual vessels and musical instruments for Confucius worship. It integrates the Central Plains culture and the ancient architectural art of southern Fujian. It gathers the essence of the Confucius Temple complex in the architectural styles of the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. It is one of the largest existing Song Dynasty buildings in Quanzhou.
Tips:
Tickets: Free
Opening hours: 8:00-17:30
Address: Pangong, Zhongshan Middle Road, Licheng District
Quanzhou is a city with diverse cultures and coexisting religions. There is also a mosque with a great history. It is the earliest and oldest existing Islamic temple with Arabic style in my country.
Qingjing Mosque was originally called "Ai Suhatu Mosque" and was founded in the second year of Dazhong Xiangfu in the Northern Song Dynasty (1009). It is a rare stone-structured ancient mosque in China and the oldest existing Islamic mosque founded by Arab Muslims in China.
There are Chinese and ancient Arabic stone inscriptions in the temple that record the funds raised by Muslims throughout the ages for its renovation. Particularly precious is the stele of the "Imperial Edict" issued by Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty in 1407 to protect Muslims and the Qingjing Mosque. It is an important historical site in Quanzhou's overseas transportation history.
Tips:
Ticket price: 3 yuan
Opening hours: 7:30-17:00
Address: Middle section of Tumen Street, Licheng District
Zhenwu Temple, commonly known as the Palace of the Supreme God, was first built in the Song Dynasty. It was the place where the Quan County Guardians worshipped the sea and the main deity enshrined was the sea god Zhenwu Emperor.
Its main structure was formed in the Song Dynasty. Currently, the stone building foundation, platform, and part of the pavement from the Song Dynasty are preserved. The handrails on both sides of the stone steps still have stone lions carved from the Song Dynasty.
The temple is built against the mountain with an ingenious layout. It retains important historical relics of multi-religious beliefs in the sea god and is a witness to the important folk cultural exchanges between Fujian and Taiwan.
Tips:
Tickets: Free
Opening hours: 6:00-17:30
Address: Fashi Community, Donghai Street, Fengze District
Here is the only remaining Manichean temple in the world, the Cao'an Mani Guang Buddha statue.
Located on Huabiao Mountain in Jinjiang, it was first built during the Shaoxing period of the Song Dynasty. Originally built of thatched grass, it earned the name "Cao'an." It is the world's only remaining intact Manichaeism site. The existing Cao'an houses the most precious cliff-carved stone statue, the Mani Guang Buddha.
Tips:
Tickets: Free
Opening hours: 24 hours a day
Address: Sunei Village, Shedian, Luoshan, Jinjiang City
Quanzhou's people revere mountains, water, nature, and the spirits, leading to the construction of numerous temples in unique mountain locations. Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism once flourished here, leaving behind numerous religious sites and relics. Quanzhou's embrace of diverse religious cultures is evident throughout the city, where harmony between humans, spirits, and nature reigns supreme.
The Laojun Rock Statue on Qingyuan Mountain is a national 5A-level scenic spot. It is the largest and oldest Taoist stone statue in the world.
Qingyuan Mountain was first developed during the Qin Dynasty and reached its peak during the Song and Yuan Dynasties. It is a renowned Taoist sanctuary, home to numerous cultural relics and historical sites. Among these, the most renowned is the Song Dynasty statue of Laojun, the world's largest and most artistically valuable Taoist stone sculpture. Carved from a single massive natural rock, the statue boasts exceptional artistry and a profound sense of spirituality.
For thousands of years, the stone statues have remained lifelike and natural, witnessing the prosperity and development of Taoist culture in Qingyuan Mountain during the Tang and Song dynasties.
Tips:
Ticket price: 70 yuan/person
Opening hours: 6:30-19:00
Address: Quanshan Road, Fengze District
Not far from Laojun Rock, there is another mountain that is worth visiting and taking a closer look. This is the Jiuri Mountain Qifeng Stone Carving.
This national key cultural relic protection site records my country's famous overseas transportation history.
Jiuri Mountain, with its towering peaks reaching approximately 100 meters high, boasts majestic cliffs and verdant trees, creating a picturesque landscape. As the saying goes, "Every stone in the mountain is inscribed with a word." Since the Tang Dynasty, famous figures have ascended or lived in seclusion here, resulting in a collection of centuries-old cultural relics and numerous inscriptions by renowned figures throughout history, with 75 inscriptions still visible today.
The most valuable historical document is undoubtedly the Qifeng Stone Inscription, which is a historical site of Quanzhou's maritime trade from the Northern Song Dynasty to the Southern Song Dynasty. It is also a stone inscription recording the ceremony of praying for wind held by local officials in Quanzhou for foreign ships, and is direct evidence of the historical prosperity of the ancient city of Quanzhou.
Tips:
Ticket price: 25 yuan/person
Opening hours: 8:00-17:30
Address:Near Fengzhou Town, Nan'an City
A visit to Quanzhou is a must-see for the coastal Chongwu Ancient City. Hui'an's Chongwu Ancient City, known as a "natural studio" and the "Beidaihe of the South," boasts stunning stone carvings, enchanting mountain and seascapes, the charming Hui'an women, and the imposing Ming Dynasty city walls.
The Chongwu Lighthouse is one of the seven international navigation lighthouses in my country. Walking inward along the city gate, the old streets of the ancient city are all stone streets, with simple houses on both sides of the old streets. These buildings from different eras are full of the color of history under the precipitation of time.
The "China Stone Carving Craft Expo Park" on the south side of the ancient city wall is one of the few theme parks in China that showcases exquisite stone carvings. Finally, a must-see is the Chongwu Coast, known as one of the "Eight Most Beautiful Coastlines in China."
The weather is super good. The blue sea, white skirts, and reefs have all been carved by stonemasons into various marine creatures, floating and tossing in the sea breeze and waves. The winding coastline is dotted with many beaches. It is a great place to escape the summer heat and play in the water.
I always feel that the ancient buildings in Quanzhou are basically made of stone. The "Luoyang Bridge" located in Wan'an, Luojiang District was originally named "Wan'an Bridge", but it is one of the four famous bridges in ancient China.
Luoyang Bridge was built under the supervision of Cai Xiang, the prefect of Quanzhou in the Northern Song Dynasty. It is the earliest existing large sea-crossing beam stone bridge in my country and the beginning of the world's "raft foundation" and "oyster seed foundation method" of bridge foundations.
To the north of the bridge are the ruins of Zhaohui Temple and Zhenshen Temple, to the south of the bridge is the Cai Xiang Temple, and there is the amazing stone tablet "Wan'an Bridge Record".
The thousand-year-old bridge has a melodious legend, and it has been quietly guarding and accompanying us for a thousand years, even though the prosperity of the past is gone, and the daily ebb and flow of the tide and the hustle and bustle of people are gone.
Tips:
Tickets: Free
Opening hours: 24 hours a day
Address: Junction of Wan'an and Luoyang Town, Luojiang District
Next, let's talk about stone, eternal stone. Let's take a look at the famous stone pagodas in Quanzhou. In addition to the East and West Pagodas of Kaiyuan Temple, there are two ancient stone pagodas sharing the same name, "Wanshou Pagoda," which also stand tall on the mountaintop by the sea.
One of them, the Wanshou Pagoda, also known as the Guansuo Pagoda and the Sister-in-law Pagoda, was built during the Shaoxing period of the Southern Song Dynasty (1131-1162). According to legend, it was built to commemorate a pair of sisters-in-law who were deeply in love.
The tower is 21.65 meters high, octagonal, and five stories tall. It is a hollow granite tower imitating a pavilion style. Unadorned with carvings, it exudes a rustic simplicity and boasts an ingenious layout. It serves as an important maritime beacon for ships entering and leaving Quanzhou Harbor.
The Wanshou Pagoda has stood majestically on the top of Baogai Mountain for more than 800 years, guiding the routes of countless Chinese and foreign ships entering and leaving Quanzhou Bay, and witnessing the vicissitudes of life.
Tips:
Tickets: Free
Opening hours: 8:00-17:30
Address: Baogai Mountain Scenic Area, Shishi City
The other Wanshou Pagoda, also known as Liusheng Pagoda and Shihu Pagoda, stands majestically at the mouth of Quanzhou Bay, on Jinchai Mountain in Shihu, Hanjiang.
The use of a stone tower as a navigation mark is a unique achievement in the history of world navigation. It is a typical Yuan Dynasty building and has played the role of a maritime navigation mark in history.
Tips:
Tickets: Free
Opening hours: 8:00-17:30
Address: Shihu Village, Hanjiang Town, Shishi City
Quanzhou's rich history and splendid civilization have not only preserved tangible relics but also spawned a rich intangible cultural heritage. This intangible cultural heritage, woven from millennia of daily life, embodies the aesthetic appeal of Chinese culture and embodies a profound and extensive historical memory and cultural roots.
A unique fishing village, home to descendants of ancient Arabs, where Central Asian traditions still survive. The Xunpu women, known as one of Fujian's three great fishing women, wear floral headbands known as "head gardens." Don't miss the "oyster shell houses"—these are all here.
The custom of Xunpu women (wearing a "flower garden" on the head) has been preserved from generation to generation, and is a unique "living fossil" in the country.
Their headdresses are unique. All women are proud of and consider it beautiful to wear flowers in their hair or wear flower rings in their hair. The romantic practice of putting flowers on their heads in front of the mirror has been passed down for thousands of years. It is said that this is an Arab custom left over from the Song and Yuan dynasties.
Walking through the winding ancient alleys, you can see the unique local oyster shell walls, which are ancient Minnan dwellings with great protection value.
Xunpu Oyster Shell House was first built in the late Song Dynasty and early Yuan Dynasty. The oyster shells are like pieces of fish scales, shining brightly in the sun. They were transported from the east coast of Africa by ancient merchant ships during the Song and Yuan Dynasties.
The oyster shell house is transparent and comfortable, warm in winter and cool in summer, with beautiful exterior walls. It is a witness to the foreign trade of ancient Quanzhou and highlights the glorious history of Quanzhou's "Maritime Silk Road".
Tips:
Address: Xunpu Fishing Village, Donghai Community, Fengze District
For the last stop of our exploration of Quanzhou’s intangible cultural heritage, we’ll visit the Quanzhou Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum.
This is the largest intangible cultural heritage museum in a prefecture-level city in the country. The museum includes 130 intangible cultural heritage projects and more than a thousand exhibits. The number is amazing.
The exhibition hall consists of five floors. The second, third and fourth floors are permanent exhibition areas, and the fifth floor is a temporary exhibition area. There are also 15 intangible cultural heritage workshops and 4 small stages. With holographic projection technology, interactive and interesting experiences, and live performances by intangible cultural heritage inheritors, the audience can experience the charm of intangible cultural heritage in all aspects.
The exhibition theme on the second floor is "The beauty of nature and folk treasures".
It mainly displays traditional art projects of Quanzhou's intangible cultural heritage. Quanzhou's traditional art is diverse, including stone carving, wood carving, paper weaving, puppet head carving, colored paper weaving, paper weaving, lanterns, etc.
The third floor displays two themes: "Folk Customs, Deep Feelings of Southern Fujian" and "The Rhythm of Quanzhou Opera, Remnants of Jin and Tang Dynasties".
"Folk Customs, Deep Feelings of Southern Fujian" showcases Quanzhou's folk culture, including traditional dance, sports, acrobatics, recreational activities, and medicine. During the visit, you can see Hui'an women's clothing, Lantern Festival customs, folk dances such as the chest-beating dance and the Huo Ding Gongpo dance, as well as activities such as the Five Ancestors Boxing and lion-slaying.
"The Rhythm of Quanzhou Opera, Remnants of the Jin and Tang Dynasties" showcases the charm of the Minnan dialect. Quanzhou dialect (Quanzhou Opera) has historically been the representative Minnan dialect. Many of the city's intangible cultural heritage forms, including folk literature, traditional music, quyi, and traditional drama, are based on Quanzhou dialect. This section will feature Nanyin (Southern Music), puppetry, and Liyuan opera.
Tips:
Tickets: Free
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 09:00-12:30 13:30-17:00
Address: Northeast side of Qiaoxiang Sports Center, No. 648 Donghu Street, Fengze District, Quanzhou City, Fujian Province
"The place where the Erythrina flowers bloom is Quanzhou, an oriental port city that rose due to maritime trade." Indeed, the city of Quanzhou was born on the sea and is glorious because of the sea.
Wandering through the ancient streets and alleys of this thousand-year-old city, you'll realize that this is a lively and nostalgic town. "How many springs have the erythrina flowers bloomed, and how many years have the East and West Towers faced each other?" Time keeps moving, and so does Quanzhou.
