Quanzhou Taxation Service
Hotline: 86-755-82143348 Email: anitayao@citilinkia.com
Quanzhou is named as “the forgotten historic port of China”. The city in southeast Fujian was known as the largest port in Asia during the Song (960-1279) and Yuan dynasties (1271-1368). According to legend, Marco Polo bid farewell to the nation from this town in late 13th century and described it as "the Alexandria of the East."
Today, Quanzhou is a regular seaside city of 8 million. It’s off the radar even for Chinese travelers -- most head to Fujian’s tourism magnet Xiamen, 90 kilometers to the southwest. But with an amiable age-old charms and a tangible Maritime Silk Road legacy, this is the place to see coastal China at its most local.
Historic Attractions of Quanzhou - Ashab Mosque and Islamic Cemetery
Muslim merchants have been coming to Quanzhou via the Maritime Silk Road route since the Tang dynasty (618-907). The evidence of their clout and wealth is still clearly visible in the Ashab Mosque (aka Qingjing Mosque, or Mosque of Purity), which was built in 1009 by the Arabs.
This is China's only surviving mosque from the Song dynasty. Although the structure is now defunct, the mosque’s former glory lingers in the towering arched gate and the seemingly impregnable walls. Both look particularly stunning at sunset. Not far from the Maritime Museum, the serene and overgrown Islamic cemetery is the final resting place of some mighty Muslims, including two of Mohammed's disciples. The intact Ming Dynasty steles crafted in both Chinese and Arabic managed to survive the Cultural Revolution.
Ashab Mosque, 108 Tumen Jie, Quanzhou, Fujian; +86 595 2219 3553; open daily 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m; RMB 3 (US 50 cents)
Islamic Cemetery, at the corner of Donghu Lu and Lingshan Lu open daily, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; free admission
Historic Attractions of Quanzhou - Temple
A large number of temples dedicated to various deities dot throughout Quanzhou. They testify to the pious folk beliefs of Fujian's seafarers and their hopes for peace, health and fortune. Being the commander of weather (and wealth), Guandi, the god of war, is one of the most popular deities among the fisherfolk as well as businessmen.
The most prosperous Guandi Temple in Quanzhou is a stone’s throw from the Ashab Mosque. It’s hard to miss due to its sheer size (1,300 square meters) and the smoke billowing from massed incense sticks.
Kai Yuan Temple is a popular Buddhist pilgrimage site that has been rebuilt many times. The shrine houses two eye-catching five-story pagodas from the 13th century, but neither can be climbed.
Behind the pagodas is a Song-dynasty ocean-going junk, which was excavated in Quanzhou's waters in 1974, as well as some painstakingly crafted Buddhist stone sculptures (also dating from the Song Dynasty). Chattering grannies and grandpas come to the banyan tree-flanked courtyard in the afternoons for their regular chitchat party.
The Yuan Dynasty Cao'an Manichean Temple standing alone on the hilly area south of the city center. The peaked roof building is a precious relic from Manicheanism, an ancient religion which is, however, being revived in the mystical aspects of the New Age movement.
Kai Yuan Temple, 176 Xi Jie, Quangzhou, Fujian; +86 595 2238 3285; open daily 7:30 a.m-7 p.m.; RMB 10
Guandi Temple, Tumen Jie, Quangzhou, Fujian, 8:30a.m-6 p.m., free admission
Cao'an Manichean Temple, Huabiaoshan, Luoshan Village, Jinjiang, Fujian; open daily, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; free admission
Historic Attractions of Quanzhou - Quanzhou Old Town
Unlike the almighty commotion of people and traffic that characterizes most city centers in China, Quanzhou's downtown is relaxing. Ambling down its old streets and back alleys is like walking down the city's memory lane. Lining both sides of Zhongshan Lu are well-restored covered balcony buildings (qilou), a distinctive form of southern China architecture from the Republican Era.
They can also be found in Guangdong and Hong Kong, but those in Quanzhou have clearly weathered the years and confronted the threat of the bulldozers. A collage of trades like bridal services, hardware stores and goldsmith shops thrives below the balconies. Just north of Zhongshan Lu are Dong Jie and Xi Jie, home to a plethora of time-honored small eateries that define leisure for Quanzhou locals. Rice dumplings and oyster omelets are the city’s signature dishes.
Contact Us
If you have further enquire, please do not hesitate to contact ATAHK at anytime, anywhere by simply visiting ATAHK’s website: www.3737580.net , or calling HK hotline at 852-2783 7818 or Quanzhou TEL: 86-595-22515909 22515806 22515809.