Quanzhou

Quanzhou is a major prefecture-level port city in southern China.

It sits on the north bank of the Jin River near the Taiwan Strait. The city is located in the Fujian Province. Its surrounding region is characterized by hilly and mountainous terrain.

To the north of the city lies Putian. To the south, it is bordered by Xiamen and Zhangzhou. The city has a humid subtropical climate. This means it experiences four distinct seasons. Temperatures in the area range from 0 to 38 degrees Celsius. During the summer, typhoons often bring rain and potential damage to the region.

The city's name has several interesting origins and variations. The name Quanzhou comes from the Chinese name for the imperial Quan Prefecture. The term "Quan" means "Spring." Historically, the city has been known by many different romanizations. These include Ch'üan-chou and various forms used in the Wade-Giles system. Some names like Chuan-chiu reflect the local Hokkien pronunciation.

In the past, European sailors often called the city "Chincheo." This name may have been a transcription of the local Hokkien pronunciation. It is possible that sailors confused Quanzhou with the nearby port of Zhangzhou. Another name, Zaiton, is an Arabic term meaning "City of Olives." This name was actually a calque, or a word-for-word translation, of a Chinese epithet. That epithet referred to the tung oil-bearing trees planted by a 10th-century ruler named Liu Congxiao.

Quanzhou's history as a global trade hub began long ago. The city was established under the Tang dynasty in 718. It sits on a spit of land between the Jin River and the Luoyang River.

During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, it served as the capital of the Qingyuan Circuit. This independent entity lasted for 29 years from 949 to 978. The founder, Liu Congxiao, helped expand overseas trade significantly. Because of the Erythrina trees planted in the city, it was also called Erythrina City. By the Song dynasty, Quanzhou became a massive international port. It functioned as the starting point for the Maritime Silk Road. This maritime route connected China to the rest of the world.

The maritime trade in Quanzhou was incredibly diverse. The city developed major industries in ceramics, sugar, alcohol, and salt. At one time, 90 percent of Fujian's ceramic production was jade-colored celadon. This pottery was specifically made for export.

The city was a cosmopolitan center where many cultures met. Merchants arrived from Arabia, Iran, India, and Sumatra. They also came from Cambodia, Brunei, Java, and Japan.

Tamil merchants even built Hindu temples to honor gods like Vishnu and Shiva. This religious diversity included Buddhist and Hindu temples, Islamic mosques, and Christian churches. The presence of Franciscan friaries and a Catholic cathedral shows how many faiths coexisted.

Famous travelers provided glowing accounts of the city's wealth. The explorer Marco Polo visited Quanzhou during the Yuan dynasty. He called it one of the two greatest havens for commerce in the world. He even used the phrase "the Alexandria of the East" to describe it.

Another traveler, Ibn Battuta, described it as the greatest port in the world. During the Yuan period, a Muslim superintendent named Pu Shougeng helped restore trade. He used his international contacts to bring back the city's former greatness. The Yuan emperors earned a vast revenue from a 10 percent duty on the port's commerce. This era marked a peak for the city's international influence.

However, the city's prosperity faced many challenges over the centuries. In 1357, a failed revolt led to a massacre of foreign communities. Later, during the Ming and Qing dynasties, piracy and imperial reactions reduced trade. Japanese trade shifted to other locations like Ningbo and Zhapu. In the 19th century, Quanzhou became a center for opium smuggling. The harbor also faced a physical problem known as siltation. This buildup of sediment made it difficult for larger ships to enter. These factors combined to change the city's economic role.

Today, Quanzhou is a massive and modern metropolitan region.

According to the 2020 census, the population is 8,782,285. The built-up area is home to over 6.6 million people. This area includes the urban districts of Licheng, Fengze, and Luojiang. It also includes cities like Jinjiang, Nan'an, and Shishi. In 2021, UNESCO recognized the city's importance. It inscribed Quanzhou on the World Heritage List. This was due to its history of maritime commerce and its unique religious buildings. The city remains a vital connection to the ancient maritime world.