Quanzhou Ancient City

Introducing Quanzhou Ancient City
Quanzhou Ancient City is a vibrant coastal city in Fujian Province. Quanzhou Ancient City flourished as a major global maritime trading hub during the Song and Yuan dynasties (10th-14th centuries). Known as “Zayton” to medieval travelers like Marco Polo, it served as a crucial eastern terminus of the Maritime Silk Road, connecting China with Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean, and beyond. This rich history is reflected in its diverse cultural heritage, evident in the numerous surviving religious sites – mosques, temples, churches, and shrines – alongside historical administrative buildings, production workshops, and remnants of its robust port infrastructure, showcasing Quanzhou’s pivotal role in facilitating trade and cultural exchange.

In recognition of its outstanding universal value, Quanzhou was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021. The site, officially known as “Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China,” encompasses a collection of 22 component sites that vividly illustrate the city’s historical role as a major port and its impact on the region’s flourishing social, economic, and cultural landscape.

Quanzhou Ancient City Fast Facts
• AKA: Quanzhou Ancient Town
• Chinese Name: Quán Zhōu Gǔ Chéng 泉州古城
• Best Time to Visit: March to November
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 3 - 4 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Architecture, History of Quanzhou
• Opening Hours: All Day (The city), 9:00 – 17:00 (Ancient attractions)
• Entrance Fee: Free
• Address: 333 Zhongshan Mid Road, Licheng District, Quanzhou, Fujian Province

What UNESCO Says of the Quanzhou Ancient City
Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China testifies to the unique, integrated and complementary role of the city in the eastward development of the Maritime Silk Roads from the 10th to 14th centuries CE. It reflects the specific maritime trade network that linked East Asia with Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean and beyond, contributing to the economic, social and cultural prosperity of the region. The nominated property encompasses a collection of 22 component sites including archaeological sites, historical monuments and structures that reflect the key institutional, social, and cultural functions of a global maritime trade centre. These include administrative buildings, religious and cultural sites, production workshops, a transportation network composed of bridges, docks and pagodas serving as maritime beacons, as well as sites related to the city’s defence system. The collection of archaeological finds, historical buildings and structures illustrate the various elements of the city’s structure and function during this period. They bear witness to the vitality of the city as a major maritime emporium, the diverse cultural and religious communities that made up its population, and the city’s legacy in the development of the region.

What to Expect at the Quanzhou Ancient City
Inhale the fragrant spices and ancient stories of the UNESCO World Heritage city, where the Maritime Silk Road wove a tapestry of temples and mosques. Wander through winding alleyways, pausing in traditional tea houses, and let the city’s living history unfold, Quanzhou Ancient City is a destination well worth your time.

Confucian Temple
Quanzhou Confucian Temple is a sprawling complex and a testament to the enduring influence of Confucianism in the region. Initially established during the Song Dynasty (960-1279), it has undergone numerous expansions and renovations throughout its history, resulting in a harmonious blend of architectural styles from different eras. As the largest Confucian temple in Fujian province, it served not only as a place of worship for Confucius but also as an educational center. Today, the temple stands as a cultural landmark, offering visitors a glimpse into the rich intellectual and spiritual heritage of Quanzhou.

Yuanmiao Taoist Temple
Yuanmiao Taoist Temple, originally named Baiyun Temple, was founded during the Taikang period of the Western Jin Dynasty (280-289 AD). It holds the distinction of being the first Taoist temple established in Fujian province, marking the introduction of Taoism to the region. The temple primarily enshrines the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing, the ultimate source of all creation and existence in Taoism), the Jade Emperor (Yuhuangdadi, the ruler of Heaven and all the deities within it), and other orthodox Taoist deities.

Qingjing Mosque
Qingjing Mosque, dating back to 1009 AD, stands as a poignant reminder of the city’s historical significance as a vital port along the Silk Road. As the oldest extant Islamic mosque in China, it reflects the rich cultural exchange that once flourished there. Its architecture, reminiscent of the medieval Arab world, specifically the Damascus style, features elegant arches and domes.

Kaiyuan Temple
Kaiyuan Temple is a magnificent Buddhist temple located in Quanzhou Ancient City. Originally built in 686 AD during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), it boasts a rich history intertwined with the city’s maritime past and stunning architecture exemplified by its two iconic pagodas: the Zhenguo Pagoda (The East Pagoda) and Renshou Pagoda (The West Pagoda), which dominate the Quanzhou skyline. The temple is also renowned for its intricate carvings, especially the exquisite stone depictions of Buddhist scriptures on the two pagodas. These carvings, along with the temple itself, stand as a testament to the flourishing of Buddhism in the region and Quanzhou’s historical importance as a center of trade and cultural exchange.

Site of Deji Gate
The Site of Deji Gate, an excavated ancient city gate in Quanzhou, is one of the largest stone city gate sites in China. The site features clearly superimposed architectural remains from various periods, rich in historical information, and displays clear evidence of the city walls’ outward expansion. Its foundation preserves a complete record of the development, expansion, and evolution of the ancient Citong City (Quanzhou’s historical name) and the southern Fujian region since the Song Dynasty, giving it significant cultural heritage value. From north to south, the site reveals impressive remains of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) city wall, the inner moat and ancient arch bridge, the Yuan (1271-1368) and Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) city walls and gate, the Ming Dynasty barbican (瓮城, a fortified enclosure in front of a city gate), and the outer moat.

Chengtian Temple
With a history spanning over a thousand years, Chengtian Temple (also known as Yuetai Temple) embodies a rich legacy of Buddhist practice. Originally built in 957 AD, it was renamed Chengtian Temple in 1007 AD during the Northern Song Dynasty’s Jingde reign. Its long history has witnessed fluctuating fortunes, encompassing periods of growth and restoration interspersed with decline. Though once boasting over 40 halls and pavilions and a thriving community of monks and scholars, the temple, even in its present state, continues to hold significant spiritual and architectural importance.

How to Get to Quanzhou Ancient City
• By Bus: Take bus 14 to Fuwenmiao (Quanzhou Confucian Temple) Station.