Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China
Quanzhou
Kaiyuan Temple: The largest Buddhist temple in Fujian, famous for its twin stone pagodas and Hindu-inspired carvings.
Qingjing Mosque: One of the oldest Arab-style mosques in China, dating back to 1009 AD.
Statue of Mani in Cao’an Temple: The world's only surviving stone statue of the prophet Mani, representing the extinct Manichaean religion.
Anping Bridge: A spectacular 2-kilometer-long medieval stone beam bridge, once the longest in the world.
Statue of Lao Tze: A massive Song Dynasty rock carving of the Taoist philosopher, located at the foot of Qingyuan Mountain.
During the 10th to 14th centuries AD, Quanzhou (known as Zayton to Arab traders) was one of the world's most vibrant and important maritime ports. This serial property of 22 sites illustrates a sophisticated system that combined coastal production (ceramics and iron), a vast transportation network of bridges and docks, and a multicultural community. It remains a unique testament to the "Maritime Silk Road," where diverse religions—including Buddhism, Islam, Taoism, and Manichaeism—coexisted peacefully.
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