Written by Veronica |
The city of Quanzhou, in Fujian Province, China, was once a thriving port city along the ancient Maritime Silk Road. Traces of history can be found in Quanzhouās cultural heritage, religious diversity, and distinctive landscapes. This article will take you through the top attractions to visit in Quanzhou.
Quanzhou West Street: A Lively Cultural Hub
West Street definitely one of the best attractions to visit in Quanzhou. It is a historical street with traditional architecture and modern amenities. It was built in Tang Dynasty during Kaiyuan reign. It witnessed Quanzhou prosper as once the biggest port city in China.
Today, itās a commercial street with lots of pedestrian alleys, full of shops and food stalls where you can get a taste of Quanzhou’s specialty food. Its architecture still preserves original designs. Youāll notice a fusion of Chinese and Western influences.
The street has several historical landmarks as well, like the House Group of the Cai FamilyĀ and the Xunpu Women’s Village.
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Kaiyuan Temple: The Largest Buddhist Temple in Fujian
One of the best things to do in Quanzhou is visiting the Kaiyuan Temple. It is the largest Buddhist temple in Fujian with an area of 93,287 square yards (78,000 square meters).
It was first built over 1,300 years ago, in year 685 during Tang Dynasty. The temple has undergone quite a few renovations and expansions over the course of history. The result is this magnificent complex of halls, pagodas, and courtyards.
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Chengtian Temple: A Historical Landmark
Quanzhou was historically known as āThe Buddhist Country.ā The three Great Buddhist Temples in Quanzhou are Kaiyuan Temple, Chengtian Temple, and Chongfu Temple. If youāre wondering about what to see in Quanzhou, Chengtian Temple is one of the best options.
Also known as Yuetai Temple, it was originally constructed during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms. It has a complex layout with various halls, pagodas, courtyards, and gardens, including the Hall of Four Heavenly Kings, the Hall of Maitreya, and the Grand Buddhaās Hall.
Chengtian Temple stands as a symbol of religious diversity in Quanzhou. There is a rare stone inscription of the Koran in Arabic, as well as a memorial hall for two Christian priests who converted to Buddhism.
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Guanyu Temple: A Popular Place of Worship
Guanyue Temple, also known as Guandi Temple, is a Taoist temple dedicated to the famous generals, Guan Yu and Yue Fei. There are statues of other military figures such as Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Zhuge Liang. It is located on Tumen Street in Quanzhou, has been reconstructed and expanded a number of times since Sui Dynasty.
You can experience the role of religion in the life of the locals because itās a popular place for worship and prayer. Incense is always burning. People visit Guanyue Temple to burn paper money and pray for blessings. The Taoist temple is also near Qingjing Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in China.
Qingjing Temple: A Historic Relic
Qingjing Mosque literally means the pure and clean mosque in Chinese. It is the oldest existing mosque with Arabic-style architecture in China. It was constructed in 1009, has witnessed the cultural and religious exchange that took place in Quanzhou throughout history.
Zhongshan Street: A Street of History and Culture
Another top attraction to visit in Quanzhou, Zhongshan Street runs through the entire Quanzhou city from south to north. The street was constructed in the 1920s and 30s, and named after Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of modern China and a revolutionary leader. It is a must-visit spot for your Quanzhou tour.
Itās famous for its incredible number of overhanging buildings, a characteristic Southeast Asian style of architecture. These buildings have arcades that provide shelter from terrible weather. In fact, Quanzhouās Zhongshan Road is one of the only two commercial streets with well-preserved overhanging buildings in China.
Zhongshan Street is the cultural and historical hub of Quanzhou, epitomizing the diversity of Quanzhou culture. Youāll find shops, restaurants, museums, temples, mosques, churches, and other cultural relics of the maritime Silk Road.
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Luoyang Bridge: An Ancient Wonder
Luoyang Bridge, originally called Wan’an Bridge, is the earliest existing cross-sea girder bridge in China and one of best things to do in Quanzhou. It was built from 1053 to 1059, during the Song Dynasty. This historical wonder is about half a mile (731.29 meters) in length, has 44 ship-shaped piers, 645 columns, 104 stone lions, seven stone towers and one stone pavilion. It is one of the four famous ancient bridges in China.
The House Group of the Cai Family: A Cultural Treasure
The House Group of the Cai Family, also known as the Ancient House Group of Cai Clan, is a complex group of traditional red-brick civil buildings in South Fujian style.
It was constructed during the late Qing Dynasty mostly by Cai Qichang and his son Cai Zizhen. The two of them were wealthy overseas Chinese businessmen and philanthropists who returned from the Philippines.
The House Group of the Cai Family is massive in size, covering an area of over 24,000 square yards (20,000 square meters). It comprises more than 100 buildings, including ancestral halls, temples, pavilions, gardens, and residences, making it the largest and the best-preserved Minnan folk house cluster in Fujian Province.
Youāll find intricate carvings of wood, stone, clay, and brick, blending Chinese and Western cultures. The House Group of the Cai Family is a significant maritime silk road heritage of QuanzhouĀ and one of the top attractions to visit in Quanzhou.
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Chongwu Ancient Town: A Living Museum
If youāre wondering about what to do in Quanzhou, visit the living museum, Chongwu Ancient Town. It was built over 600 years ago in 1387 during Ming Dynasty, as an important military fortress to defend China against foreign invaders. Today, it preserves ancient architecture, city walls, temples, and traditional houses.
There are many historical sites at Chongwu Ancient Town like the Chongwu Ancient City Wall, Qingyang Tower, Guanghua Temple, and Wu Temple. Because of its location on the coast, you can also find fresh seafood and beautiful beaches here. The Chongwu coastline is known to be one of the most beautiful in China.
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