Quanzhou, historically known as "Zayton," is a port city with over 1,300 years of maritime heritage on China’s southeastern coast. From the 10th to 14th centuries, it flourished as the largest port in the East, serving as a major hub for international maritime trade. This legacy reflects a dynamic history of cultural exchange and global commerce. Quanzhou’s enduring spirit of diversity, openness, and inclusivity has fueled its residents' entrepreneurial drive, shaping both its historical and future development.

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Quanzhou, located on the southeast coast of China, was a bustling commercial center on the eastern end of the maritime trade network that flourished from the 10th to 14th centuries. During the Song and Yuan Dynasties, Quanzhou served as a prominent window for China’s economic and cultural exchanges with the outside world, and it was also an outstanding example of a world-class port that served as an engine for maritime commerce.

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Quanzhou, situated on China's southeastern coast, flourished as a vital hub of the Asian maritime trade network from the 10th to the 14th century. It served as a key gateway for economic and cultural exchanges between Song-Yuan China and the broader world. The city’s central location on the Jiangkou Plain supported inland industries, while its expansive maritime front to the southeast enabled extensive overseas trade. This integrated land-sea transportation system, linking ports, cities, and the hinterland, fueled its remarkable commercial success.

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"Centuries ago, Ibn Battuta introduced Quanzhou to the Arab world through his writings. Today, we bring Quanzhou to a modern Arab audience," reflected Alobaidi Ameen Muneer, an Iraqi journalist and Dubai-based correspondent for China-Arab TV. Standing before the ruins of the Qingjing Mosque on a crisp December day in 2024, he marvelled at the enduring legacy and timeless allure of the city.

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Wanshou Pagoda is a representative component reflecting the Transportation Network of Quanzhou as an emporium of world maritime trade. It was the landmark for merchant ships arriving at the port of Quanzhou; it also served as a source of spiritual support for the local population by safeguarding the bay and providing divine protection for traveling merchant.

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Liusheng Pagoda is a representative component offering unique insight into the Transportation Network of ancient Quanzhou as an emporium of world maritime trade. It is an important historical site at Shihu Port that marked where merchant ships would shift course from the main shipping line in Quanzhou Bay to the inner ports.

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Shihu Dock is a representative component reflecting the Transportation Network of Quanzhou as an emporium of world maritime trade. It is an invaluable piece of physical evidence of Quanzhou’s outer port docks. This dock, together with Estuary Docks, demonstrates Quanzhou Port’s water-land transshipment system during the Song and Yuan periods.

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Estuary Docks are a representative component reflecting the Transportation Network of Quanzhou as an emporium of world maritime trade. They are located in the southeast of Quanzhou’s old city on the northern banks of the Jinjiang River. They were a water-land transshipment node connecting with the old city. Along with Zhenwu Temple, they are precious historical remains at Fashi Port, a major inner port on the outskirts of Quanzhou.

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Shunji Bridge is a representative component reflecting Quanzhou’s Transportation Network as an emporium of world maritime trade. It was the node of land transport between the ancient city of Quanzhou and the south bank of the Jinjiang River, facilitating maritime trade in Quanzhou. As the main access to ancient Quanzhou’s commercial district, the bridge enhanced the city’s water-land transshipment system.

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Anping Bridge is a representative component reflecting the Transportation Network of Quanzhou as an emporium of world maritime trade. The bridge was the main link between Quanzhou and Zhangzhou and Guangzhou to the south. It is also known as Five Li Bridge due to its length, which is around five li (one li measures around 500 meters) and is China’s longest existing cross-sea stone beam bridge.

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