Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China, Maritime trade center in Fujian Province, China
Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China is a World Heritage Site made up of 16 separate components including temples, bridges, kilns, and administrative buildings spread throughout the city and surrounding areas. The site reveals the physical infrastructure that made international trade possible over centuries.
The site developed as a trading center during the Song and Yuan dynasties when Quanzhou was a major port for international commerce. The 16 components document this trading period and show how the city became one of the world's largest commercial centers.
The Qingjing Mosque, Kaiyuan Temple, and Tianhou Temple show how Buddhist, Islamic, and maritime religious practices coexisted in medieval China. Visitors can see today how different faiths lived side by side in a trading city and left their marks on the buildings.
Visitors should plan several days to explore all 16 components since they are scattered across the city and surrounding area. Local buses connect the main monuments, but careful planning helps save time and explore the site efficiently.
The Dehua Kilns produced specialized porcelain for export during the Song-Yuan period and greatly contributed to the city's worldwide reputation as a trading center. This porcelain was shipped to parts of the world and is found today in museums and collections around the globe.
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