If you’re planning a trip to Fujian and have already explored the ancient streets of Sanfang Qixiang in Fuzhou and admired the sea in Xiamen, consider taking an additional two days to visit Quanzhou.
This city, which Bai Yansong described as “a must-visit in one’s lifetime,” exudes charm no matter the season.
Quanzhou, located in Licheng, boasts a history that dates back to the pre-Qin period. It serves as the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road and is the birthplace of Minnan culture. The city center is just a half-hour drive from the seaside. Life here moves at a leisurely pace, with small food stalls lining the streets and temples scattered every few steps. Netizens jokingly refer to it as “the place where gods and immortals descend to handle affairs.”
Quanzhou is home to numerous historical sites and religions, with many important cultural relics and heritage sites. So, which ones are worth visiting? Keep reading to find out!
Some say that Quanzhou is like a “world religion museum,” where Taoism, Buddhism, Islam, Catholicism, Hinduism, Christianity, Manichaeism, and Judaism coexist harmoniously. Over thousands of years, the best interpretation of this city has been, “This place was anciently called the Buddha Kingdom, where saints are found everywhere.”
Kaiyuan Temple
When it comes to Quanzhou’s city landmarks, Kaiyuan Temple on West Street is a must-mention. It is the largest Buddhist temple in Fujian, with a thriving incense-burning tradition. The temple houses the East and West Pagodas, the tallest structures in the central urban area.
The East and West Pagodas have witnessed the passage of countless beings over thousands of years. They symbolize the unprecedented prosperity of Quanzhou’s overseas transportation during the Middle Ages and are unique landmarks of this historically and culturally renowned city.
Chengtian Temple
Quanzhou’s Chengtian Temple, known as the “First Monastery in Southern Fujian,” is one of the “Three Great Monasteries of Quanzhou” along with Kaiyuan Temple and Chongfu Temple. Second in size only to Kaiyuan Temple, it is also located in the ancient city center. However, its atmosphere is entirely different from that of Kaiyuan Temple. Despite being situated in a bustling area, it remains tranquil and serene, without the noise and crowds of Kaiyuan Temple.
The temple’s architectural style is unique and magnificent. Upon entering, one is immediately struck by its solemn and dignified atmosphere. Here, we can offer incense, pray for blessings, and experience the profound depth of Buddhist culture.
Guanyue Temple
The incense-burning tradition at Quanzhou’s Guanyue Temple is extremely popular, with reportedly hundreds of thousands of worshippers visiting each year, including many Taiwanese compatriots and overseas Chinese. If you ask a friend from Quanzhou where the most worthwhile place to visit is, eight or nine out of ten will recommend Guanyue Temple for worship.
It is the largest existing martial temple in Fujian, with its construction dating back to the Song Dynasty. The main deity worshipped here is the Holy Emperor Guan, with the King Yue as a secondary deity, hence the name Guanyue Temple. It is considered the most efficacious temple for divination in the eyes of locals.
Xuanmiao Taoist Temple
Xuanmiao Taoist Temple is the first Taoist temple built after Taoism was introduced to Fujian. The main hall enshrines the Jade Emperor, whom Quanzhou locals respectfully refer to as “Tiangong.” As a result, Xuanmiao Taoist Temple is also known as “Tiangong Temple.”
Qingjing Mosque
Quanzhou Qingjing Mosque is the oldest surviving Islamic mosque site in China, with its construction dating back to 1009 during the Northern Song Dynasty. Featuring a typical ancient Arabic Islamic architectural style, it is a rare stone-structured ancient Islamic mosque in China and was listed as one of the first batch of cultural protection units in 1961.
Quannan Church
Quanzhou Quannan Church is the first church in Quanzhou. One side of the wall features a large Chinese character “爱” (love), making it a popular spot for people to check in and take photos.
After visiting these religious temples, you might think they are far apart. However, you can actually visit all of them by taking a slow walk along a single route. Following this path, you can more intuitively experience why Quanzhou is known as the “place where gods handle affairs.”
West Street in Quanzhou is a must-visit location for everyone traveling to the city. Starting from the Bell Tower and ending at Kaiyuan Temple, not only can you taste local specialty snacks, but you can also check in at Quanzhou’s landmark Bell Tower and the two thousand-year-old pagodas of Kaiyuan Temple.
Ancient alleys crisscross along the street, with about a dozen or so alleys stretching over approximately 3 kilometers from one end of the street to the other. These alleys tightly connect West Street with the ancient city, creating a unique atmosphere.
It’s worth mentioning that at the Bell Tower, you can “catch” Quanzhou’s popular dragon-themed mascot for the Year of the Dragon: Pu Lao (pú láo) (Dragon Rising from the Grand House). Don’t miss it if you visit around the Spring Festival!
There are many hairpin shops along West Street, so you can take photos with the same Zhanpu women’s hairpins as Zhao Liying and Mao Xiaotong without having to go to Zhanpu. “Wear hairpins in this life, be beautiful in the next.”
Of course, as a foodie, my favorite part of West Street is the wide variety of snacks: Mianxian Hu (a type of rice noodle soup), peanut soup, roasted meat rice dumplings, four-fruit soup, Quanzhou beef thick soup, steak, pork with vinegar, Wu’s glutinous rice cakes… You can eat your fill for just a dozen yuan or so. How can anyone resist?
As the Spring Festival approaches, the atmosphere of the small town celebrating the New Year is at its strongest. Red lanterns have long been hung high along the streets, and shops in the streets and alleys are filled with festive couplets, window decorations, and incense for burning and worshipping. Even flower shops have prepared wintersweet and orchids…
“Half the city in the smoke of fireworks, half in the realm of immortals” – do you like this kind of Quanzhou?
