泉州：宋元中国的世界海洋商贸中心
Synopsis
Overview
Quanzhou, historically known as "Citong," is located on the southeastern coast of Fujian Province, China. The city reached its historical zenith during the Song and Yuan dynasties (approximately the 10th to 14th centuries AD), becoming the "largest port in the East," comparable to Alexandria in Egypt. It served as the starting point and core of the ancient Maritime Silk Road...
Overview
Quanzhou, historically known as "Zayton," is located on the southeastern coast of Fujian Province, China. The city reached its historical zenith during the Song and Yuan dynasties (approximately the 10th to 14th centuries AD), becoming the "largest oriental port," rivaling Alexandria in Egypt. It served as the starting point and core hub of the ancient Maritime Silk Road. On July 25, 2021, "Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China" was successfully inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, comprising 22 representative historical monuments and sites. These heritage sites not only bear witness to Quanzhou's glorious history as a global maritime trade center but also showcase the unique landscape of multicultural integration and coexistence at the time. They form a living treasure trove for exploring ancient Chinese maritime civilization and the history of global exchange.
History
Quanzhou's maritime trade history dates back to ancient times. During the Tang Dynasty, Quanzhou Port was already one of China's four major foreign trade ports. By the Song and Yuan periods, benefiting from imperial policies encouraging overseas trade, as well as advanced shipbuilding and navigation technologies, Quanzhou Port entered its golden age. Merchants, travelers, and missionaries from Arabia, Persia, India, Southeast Asia, and even Europe gathered here, bringing spices, medicinal herbs, and jewels, and taking away Chinese silk, porcelain, and tea. The famous Italian traveler Marco Polo and the Moroccan scholar Ibn Battuta both praised Quanzhou's prosperity and wealth in their travelogues. It was not merely a cargo distribution center but also a cultural melting pot where Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Manichaeism, and other religions coexisted harmoniously, leaving behind rich historical imprints. From the late Yuan to early Ming dynasties, due to maritime prohibition policies, port siltation, and warfare, Quanzhou's international trade status gradually declined. However, its profound historical legacy has been completely preserved within the city's fabric and numerous relics.
Main Attractions
The serial property "Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China" encompasses key elements such as administrative structures, transportation networks, diverse communities, and production sites. Listed below are several of its core sites:
- Kaiyuan Temple: The largest Buddhist temple in Quanzhou, originally built during the Tang Dynasty. The temple's East and West Pagodas (Zhenguo Pagoda and Renshou Pagoda) are the tallest pair of stone pagodas extant in China, symbolizing Quanzhou's architectural technology and economic strength during the Song and Yuan periods.
- Qingjing Mosque: Also known as the Ashab Mosque, originally built during the Northern Song Dynasty. It is one of the oldest extant Islamic mosques in China. Its stone architectural style reflects distinct West Asian characteristics and serves as direct evidence of Arab Muslim activities in Quanzhou.
- Tianhou Palace: Originally built during the Southern Song Dynasty, it is the earliest and highest-grade Mazu temple extant along China's southeastern coast. The flourishing Mazu belief was closely linked to maritime trade activities, reflecting merchants' and sailors' prayers for safe voyages.
- Jiuri Mountain Wind-Praying Carvings: Located on Jiuri Mountain on the north bank of the Jinjiang River, dozens of wind-praying stone carvings from the 10th to 13th centuries are preserved. These carvings record historical ceremonies where local officials and Maritime Trade Office officials prayed for favorable winds and safe journeys for Chinese and foreign merchant ships. They are a unique cultural heritage in world navigation history.
- Luoyang Bridge: The earliest extant sea-crossing beam-style large stone bridge in China, originally built during the Northern Song Dynasty. It connected Quanzhou Port with its inland hinterland and was a crucial transportation hub at the time. Its technologies, such as the "raft foundation" and "oyster shell consolidation," represented world-leading bridge-building levels.
- Dejimen Gate Site: The site of the southern gate of the ancient Quanzhou city wall during the Song and Yuan periods, adjacent to the Jinjiang River. It was a vital node for land-water transfer between the city and the port. The site reveals the structure of the ancient city gate and traces of repairs across dynasties.
- Quanzhou Confucian Temple: Originally built during the Tang Dynasty, with a complete layout, it is a model of the integration of Central Plains culture from the Song Dynasty and Southern Fujian architecture. It embodies the inheritance and development of Confucian culture within a maritime trade center.
- Islamic Holy Tombs: Traditionally believed to be the burial sites of two Muslim saints who came to China to preach during the Tang Dynasty. They are among the oldest and best-preserved Islamic relics in China and have long been revered by Chinese and foreign Muslims.
Practical Information
As the heritage sites are scattered across various districts of Quanzhou, visitors typically need to travel to each separately. The information below uses the most representative Kaiyuan Temple as an example and provides general guidelines.
| Item | Specific Information | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Core Heritage Sites | "Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China" comprises 22 sites, including Kaiyuan Temple, Qingjing Mosque, Tianhou Palace, Jiuri Mountain, Luoyang Bridge, Dejimen Gate Site, Confucian Temple, Holy Tombs, etc. | Sites are managed independently; separate ticketing or reservation is required. |
| Representative Tickets | Kaiyuan Temple: Free admission. Qingjing Mosque: Ticket 3 RMB. Jiuri Mountain Wind-Praying Carvings: Ticket 25 RMB (for reference only, please verify on-site). |
Some sites (e.g., Kaiyuan Temple, Zhongshan Road Arcade Block) are free; fees for ticketed sites are generally low. Check the latest ticket prices for each site before your visit. |
| Opening Hours | Opening hours vary by site, typically: Kaiyuan Temple: approx. 8:00 - 17:30 Qingjing Mosque: approx. 8:30 - 18:00 (may extend in summer) Tianhou Palace: approx. 8:00 - 17:30 |
Be sure to verify specific hours in advance via official channels or phone calls, as they may adjust during holidays. |
| Suggested Visit Duration | 2-3 days. | Heritage sites are relatively dispersed. It is recommended to allocate at least two days, focusing on densely clustered sites in the old city (e.g., Kaiyuan Temple, Qingjing Mosque, Confucian Temple) first, then visiting outlying sites like Luoyang Bridge and Jiuri Mountain. |
| Transportation | By Air: Arrive at Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport, then transfer by taxi or bus to the city center. By High-Speed Rail/Train: Arrive at Quanzhou Railway Station, then transfer by bus or taxi. Local Transport: Sites within the old city are relatively concentrated and accessible on foot, by bus (the "Xiaobai" tourist shuttle is very convenient in the old city), or by taxi/ride-hailing. For sites farther away like Luoyang Bridge and Jiuri Mountain, taking a taxi or driving is recommended. |
Quanzhou has a well-developed bus network accepting electronic payments. Roads in the old city are narrow and may be congested during holidays. |
| Best Time to Visit | Autumn (October to December) and Spring (March to May). | The weather is mild and pleasant during these seasons, avoiding the summer heat/rain and winter damp chill. |
| Special Experiences | 1. Stroll along West Street to experience the ancient street ambiance and taste Southern Fujian snacks like runbing (spring rolls), misua paste, and tushun dong (worm jelly). 2. Listen to Nanyin (Southern Music), an ancient musical genre hailed as a "living fossil of Chinese music." 3. Watch a String Puppet Show to appreciate the exquisite traditional puppetry skills. |
Quanzhou is a protected area for the Minnan cultural ecosystem, with extremely rich intangible cultural heritage. |
References
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre - "Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China" page:
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1561/ - Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage - Summary of Nomination Text and Introduction to Heritage Sites for "Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China":
http://www.cach.org.cn/contents/103/11071.html - Official website of Quanzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism:
http://wgl.quanzhou.gov.cn/ (For checking the latest official updates, opening information, and cultural activities for each site)
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