We arrived in Quanzhou on the afternoon of February 2 and left Quanzhou on the afternoon of February 5. It was not enough time for me to know Quanzhou well. It is so rich in everything.

World Museum of Religions

During the Song and Yuan dynasties, the people of Quanzhou demonstrated broad-mindedness and an inclusive attitude. They welcomed merchants from various countries along the “Maritime Silk Road”, embracing their diverse religious beliefs, including Hinduism, Christianity, Catholicism, Islam, and Manichaeism. These religions coexisted harmoniously with Quanzhou’s native folk beliefs, such as Buddhism and Taoism and other traditional beliefs. As a result, numerous distinctive religious buildings were preserved. This unique cultural scenario has gained international acclaim, and Quanzhou is often referred to as the “World Museum of Religions”.

Famous Historical and Cultural City

Quanzhou boasts a rich historical heritage and diverse cultural significance. It houses numerous rare relics and ancient sites, including temples, bridges, docks, residential buildings, city walls, and pagodas. These precious cultural assets vividly showcase Quanzhou’s past as a bustling hub for merchants from various corners of the world, as well as its economic prosperity and cultural flourishing.

In 1982, Quanzhou was officially designated as one of China’s first Historic and Cultural Cities by the State Council. Additionally, in 1988, during an extensive examination by a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) research team investigating the Maritime Silk Road, Quanzhou was recognized as the starting point of this ancient maritime trade route.

Traditional Architecture of Minnan
The traditional architecture of Minnan (also known as Hokkien) exhibits diverse characteristics influenced by local geography and functional requirements. It encompasses various building types, including red-brick ancient houses, handkerchief houses, Western-style buildings, arcade-style buildings, and earthen buildings. Among these, red-brick ancient houses stand out as the most prevalent and representative in Minnan architecture.

The distinctive features of these red-brick ancient houses include:
Red Walls, Red Tiles, and Red Floors: These buildings are characterized by their vibrant red walls, red-tiled roofs, and red terracotta floors.
Mixed Masonry: The walls are constructed using a combination of bricks and stones.
Upward-Curving Roof Ridge (Yanwei Ji): The roofs have an upward-curving ridge, resembling the tail of a swallow. This unique architectural element is often flat in the middle and slightly warped at the left and right ends.
Exquisite Decorations: Intricate stone carvings, wood carvings, brick reliefs, and plaster sculptures adorn these structures.
Colorful Aesthetics: The overall color palette is vivid and dynamic.
These red-brick buildings serve as outstanding examples of the fusion between exotic architectural cultures and traditional Chinese architectural heritage.

Here is the Luonan Village south of Luoyang Bridge:

The city’s bustling urban life attracts visitors from across the country.
East Street and Zhongshan Road

West Street

There are even more food choices than Xiamen but I didn’t take many pictures. I think food here is cheaper and even better.

There are a lot more to explore in Quanzhou and the neighboring places and I hope to come again in future.

Yours Truly
Angie Guo - Charmission Travel