Quanzhou, China

Reading Time: 7 minutes

Quanzhou, China

Region: Fujian province


Geographic Coordinates: 24.913900, 118.586000
Temperature Range: 15.0°C to 30.0°C (59°F to 86°F)
Climate: Climate: Subtropical monsoon climate with hot and humid summers and mild winters. Weather patterns: Heavy rainfall during the summer months, occasional typhoons, and occasional snowfall in winter.
Population: 8782285
Language: Mandarin

Quanzhou, Located in Fujian province of China, Has a rich history as one of the most important ports during the Song and Yuan dynasties. For over a thousand years, It has been a center for trade, Religion, Culture, And education. The city is famous for its beautiful temples and religious sites such as Kaiyuan Temple dating back to 686 AD. It’s considered one of the four great Buddhist temples in China with intricate carvings and paintings. Qingjing Mosque built during Tang dynasty is another popular site that combines traditional Chinese architecture with Islamic influences.

Quanzhou also boasts museums showcasing its maritime history as an important trading port such as The Maritime Museum of China. The Quanzhou Overseas Chinese Museum tells the story of Chinese emigrants who settled around Southeast Asia. The food scene in Quanzhou is exceptional due to its location near the coast offering some of the best seafood dishes in all of China like oyster omelets, Fried squid balls, And braised shark fin soup.

For shopping or nightlife enthusiasts, There are options available like Quanxiu Road Night Market offering street foods and souvenirs while West Street Bar Street provides a lively atmosphere with bars open late into the night. Overall, Quanzhou offers visitors cultural enrichment through numerous historical sites along with entertainment opportunities making it an ideal destination for travelers seeking both experiences.



Important Landmarks

  1. Kaiyuan Temple is a renowned Buddhist temple in China that was constructed during the Tang Dynasty.
  2. Qingjing Mosque, one of the largest and oldest mosques in China, was built during the Song Dynasty.
  3. The Maritime Silk Road Museum is dedicated to showcasing Quanzhou’s significance as a major port city on the Maritime Silk Road.
  4. Luoyang Bridge, which dates back to the Tang Dynasty, is an ancient stone bridge that is regarded as one of China’s Four Great Ancient Bridges.
  5. Guandi Temple is a Taoist temple devoted to Guan Yu, an ancient Chinese warrior with legendary status.
  6. Fengze Square is a vast public square situated in downtown Quanzhou that features various sculptures and fountains.
  7. Tumen Street boasts traditional Chinese architecture and shops selling local handicrafts and snacks along its historic route.
  8. East Lake Park offers hiking trails, boating opportunities, and other outdoor activities within its scenic surroundings located on the outskirts of Quanzhou city.
  9. Anping Bridge (also known as Five-Li Bridge) spans across Jinjiang River as an ancient stone bridge with historical significance for tourists to explore while visiting Quanzhou city.
  10. West Lake Park provides tourists with picturesque views of pagodas, gardens, lakeside scenery among other attractions located at the west side of Quanzhou city for visitors to enjoy their time spent there fully without any hassle or worry about missing out on anything!

Primary Industries

  1. Textile industry
    • Produces clothing, fabrics, and accessories
  2. Footwear industry
    • Manufactures shoes for both domestic and international markets
  3. Electronic manufacturing sector
    • Produces electronic components, devices and equipment
  4. Food processing industry
    • Includes the production of seafood products, canned fruits and vegetables, meat products, dairy products, etc.
  5. Building materials industry
    • Exports various building materials such as tiles, ceramics, sanitary ware, etc., worldwide
  6. Tourism industry
    • Important aspect of Quanzhou’s economy due to its historical significance with many ancient temples & shrines along with beautiful beaches attracting tourists from all over the world
  7. Furniture industry
    • Produces high-quality furniture made from wood, bamboo, rattan, etc., and exports them globally
  8. Plastic products manufacturing sector
    • Manufactures plastic bags, containers, toys, etc., for both domestic & international market
  9. Machinery manufacturing sector
    • Plays an important role in producing machines used across different domains like agriculture, construction, etc.
  10. Chemical industry
    • Several chemical companies operate out of Quanzhou producing chemicals such as dyes, paints, resins & adhesives among others

Noteable History

  1. The Song Dynasty (960-1279) established Quanzhou as a major port city for foreign trade.
  2. Marco Polo visited Quanzhou in the 13th century and described it as one of the greatest ports in the world.
  3. The Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) designated Quanzhou as one of its five major ports, leading to an increase in international trade.
  4. Zheng He, a famous Chinese explorer and admiral during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), was born in Quanzhou.
  5. During the Ming Dynasty, many foreign merchants settled in Quanzhou, including Arabs, Persians, Indians and Malays.
  6. The Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama visited Quanzhou on his way to India in 1498.
  7. In 1842, after losing the First Opium War against Britain, China was forced to open five treaty ports to foreign trade including Fuzhou and Xiamen but not Quanzhou which remained closed until 1902 when it became a treaty port too.
  8. In modern times, notable people from or associated with Quanzhou include singer Faye Wong; writer Liu Qingbang; artist Chen Danqing; entrepreneur Jack Ma who founded Alibaba Group; footballer Zheng Zhi who played for Guangzhou Evergrande FC and is now retired from playing professionally.
  9. Quan Zhou is also known for its ancient architecture such as Kaiyuan Temple which dates back over a thousand years ago when Buddhism was flourishing there.
  10. The city is also home to many beautiful beaches such as Xunliao Bay Beach that attract tourists from all over China especially during summer months due to their clear waters and white sand beaches that stretch out miles long along coastlines offering stunning views of sunsets over horizon making them popular spots for photography enthusiasts too.

Museums and Things To See

  1. Kaiyuan Temple is one of China’s oldest and largest Buddhist temples.
  2. Quanzhou Maritime Museum displays the city’s history as a major port during the Tang and Song dynasties.
  3. Qingjing Mosque is one of China’s oldest Islamic mosques, dating back to the 10th century.
  4. Ancestral Hall of Chen Clan is a well-preserved traditional Chinese ancestral hall with intricate wood carvings and decorations.
  5. Luoyang Bridge is an ancient stone bridge spanning across the Luoyang River, built during the Song dynasty.
  6. Quanzhou Overseas Chinese Museum showcases artifacts and stories related to overseas Chinese communities, particularly those from Quanzhou.
  7. Cao’an Manichean Temple is a rare example of Manichean temple architecture in China.
  8. West Lake Park (Quanzhou) offers scenic views with pavilions, gardens, lakes, and historic sites such as Zhenwu Pavilion.
  9. Tianhou Palace is a Taoist temple dedicated to Mazu goddess.
  10. Quanshan Forest Park offers hiking trails, waterfalls, streams, picnic areas etc., making it a large park for people to enjoy nature activities in their leisure time.


Sports Teams

  1. Quanzhou Jinjiang Football Club: This is a professional football club based in Jinjiang City, Quanzhou. The club was founded in 1993 and currently plays in the China League Two.
  2. Quanzhou Hengqin Women’s Volleyball Club: This is a women’s volleyball team based in Quanzhou that competes in the Chinese Volleyball League.
  3. Fujian Sturgeons Basketball Club: Although not directly based in Quanzhou, this professional basketball club from Fuzhou (the capital city of Fujian province) has a strong following among fans from the region.
  4. Fujian Xunxing Sturgeons Football Club: Another team from Fuzhou that has a significant fan base in Quanzhou and other parts of Fujian province.
  5. Fujian Tianxin Taekwondo Team: This taekwondo team is based out of Fuzhou but has trained many athletes from the region over the years.


Cultural Events

  1. Mazu Cultural Festival: This festival is held annually in April to celebrate the birth of Mazu, the goddess of the sea and protector of fishermen.
  2. Qingming Festival: Also known as Tomb Sweeping Day, this festival is celebrated in early April to honor ancestors and pay respects at their graves.
  3. Mid-Autumn Festival: This festival is celebrated in September or October to mark the end of the harvest season and give thanks for a good harvest.
  4. Lantern Festival: Held on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year, this festival features colorful lanterns, dragon dances, and other traditional activities.
  5. Dragon Boat Festival: Celebrated in June or July, this festival honors Qu Yuan, a Chinese poet who drowned himself in protest against corrupt officials.
  6. International Kite Festival: Held annually in November at Hui’an County near Quanzhou City, this event attracts kite enthusiasts from around China and beyond.
  7. Lotus Flower Festival: This annual event takes place at Kaiyuan Temple during June or July when thousands of lotus flowers bloom on its ponds.
  8. Chaozhou Opera Festival: This performing arts event showcases traditional Chaozhou opera with its unique music, costumes, and makeup styles.
  9. Wuyi Tea Culture Expo: This expo highlights Wuyi tea culture with exhibitions, tastings, seminars,and cultural performances every year from March to May.
  10. Hui’an Women’s Skirt Dance Competition: The competition has been held every year since 2008 during National Day holiday (Oct 1-7) showcasing Hui’an women’s skirt dance which originated from southern Fujian province over 500 years ago.

Cuisine

Popular Foods in Quanzhou

  1. Seafood: Quanzhou is located on the coast and is known for its fresh seafood dishes such as steamed fish, shrimp, and crab.
  2. Oyster omelette: A popular street food dish made with eggs and oysters.
  3. Fried rice noodles: A dish made with stir-fried rice noodles and vegetables.
  4. Spring rolls: Deep-fried rolls filled with vegetables or meat.
  5. Peanut soup: A sweet soup made with peanuts and sugar.

Popular Restaurants in Quanzhou

  1. Kaiyuan Temple Vegetarian Restaurant – a vegetarian restaurant located in the famous Kaiyuan Temple that serves delicious vegetarian dishes.
  2. Luoyang Bridge Seafood Restaurant – a seafood restaurant located near the Luoyang Bridge that serves fresh seafood dishes.
  3. Xunpu Oyster Omelette Restaurant – a small restaurant that specializes in oyster omelettes and other local snacks.
  4. Wuji Braised Pork Knuckle Restaurant – a restaurant famous for its braised pork knuckle dish.
  5. Laocheng Yiwan Dumpling House – a dumpling house that serves various types of dumplings including shrimp, pork, vegetable, and more.

Parks and Recreation

  1. Kaiyuan Temple: This public park boasts a renowned Buddhist temple, picturesque gardens, and stunning historic architecture.
  2. Qingyuan Mountain: This mountainous park offers breathtaking scenery with hiking trails, waterfalls, and temples.
  3. West Lake Park: A vast public park that features a lake perfect for boating and fishing, walking paths for strolls and gardens to relax in.
  4. Quanzhou Maritime Museum: A museum that showcases the city’s maritime history with exhibits on shipbuilding and navigation.
  5. Anxi Tea Garden: A tea plantation where visitors can learn about tea production while tasting various tea varieties.
  6. Donghu Park: This lakeside park is an ideal location for leisurely walks on its paths or picnics at its designated areas while children enjoy the playgrounds available.
  7. Xunpu Fishing Village: An ancient fishing village that has preserved its traditional way of life with wooden houses alongside seafood restaurants serving fresh catches of the day.
  8. Quanzhou Zoo: A small zoo featuring animals such as tigers, pandas, monkeys, birds of prey among others.
  9. Tianzhu Mountain Scenic Area: A mountainous area featuring natural scenery like mountains, waterfalls, caves, etc.
  10. Wenling Hot Springs: A hot spring resort offering indoor & outdoor pools along with spa treatments & relaxation facilities to rejuvenate your senses!

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