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.

　　Geographically, Quanzhou's southeastern edge meets the sea, while its northwestern region is mountainous. The city lies on a coastal plain, bordered by Qingyuan Mountain to the north, the Jin River to the south, and the Luoyang River to the northeast. These rivers converge into Quanzhou Bay in the southeast. Located at the intersection of the East China Sea and South China Sea, Quanzhou features an indented coastline spanning over 500 kilometers, offering numerous natural deep-water harbors ideal for maritime navigation.

　　As of the end of 2021, Quanzhou administers 14 districts and counties, excluding Kinmen County. Its permanent population stands at 8.85 million, with a total land area of 11,015 square kilometres and a maritime area of 11,360 square kilometres. The city’s coastline extends 541 kilometres, encompassing 14 major ports and 270 islands, reinforcing its historical and modern significance as a prominent maritime hub.

　　The maritime legacy of openness and cultural integration has shaped Quanzhou’s rich and diverse cultural landscape. The city is renowned for its vibrant traditions, including folk beliefs, customs, traditional crafts, arts, and cuisine passed down through generations. Quanzhou currently has 696 intangible cultural heritage projects at various levels, including 36 national-level, 128 provincial-level, and 262 municipal-level projects. Notably, six of these are recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage elements: Nanyin (a traditional form of music),  Chinese traditional architectural craftsmanship for timber-framed structures (Southern Fujian Vernacular Dwellings), Watertight-bulkhead technology of Chinese junks, Strategy for training coming generations of Fujian puppetry practitioners, Ong Chun/Wangchuan/Wangkang ceremony, rituals and related practices for maintaining the sustainable connection between man and the ocean and the China's traditional tea processing techniques and associated social practices.

　　Quanzhou is among the first 24 historic and cultural cities designated by the State Council and was named the inaugural "Culture City of East Asia." On 25 July 2021, during the 44th Session of the World Heritage Committee held in Fuzhou,   Fujian Province, "Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China" was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The city has 945 heritage conservation units at various levels, including 44 national-level units.

　　Quanzhou’s commercial and industrial vitality has thrived since ancient times, with its economic output consistently ranking among the highest in Fujian Province. In 2022, its GDP grew by 3.5%, supported by seven industrial clusters with output values exceeding RMB 100 billion. Traditional handicrafts such as ceramics, incense making, and stone carving, stemming from Quanzhou Port’s ancient maritime trade, along with agricultural products like oolong tea, sugarcane, longan, and lychee, continue to flourish and gain renewed significance.

　　Quanzhou’s enduring legacy as a key hub of the Maritime Silk Routes and the heartland of Minnan culture defines its historical roots and cultural identity. With a deep commitment to preserving and celebrating this rich heritage, the city breathes life into its cultural relics, ensures the continuity of its historical narrative, and keeps its legacy vibrant for future generations.

　　As a prominent ancestral homeland for overseas Chinese and a primary origin of Taiwan’s Han population, Quanzhou counts over 7.2 million expatriates worldwide. Despite being far from home, these global citizens maintain strong ties to their heritage, making meaningful contributions through business ventures, educational philanthropy, charitable donations, and public welfare initiatives. Their exceptional achievements and unwavering support serve as a powerful engine for Quanzhou’s economic, cultural, and social progress, forging lasting connections between the city and the world.

　　Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China

　　Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China represents a collection of cultural heritage sites dating back to the 10th to 14th centuries, centered around present-day Quanzhou Bay. These heritage sites include Jiuri Mountain Wind-Praying Inscriptions, Site of Maritime Trade Office, Site of Deji Gate, Tianhou Temple, Zhenwu Temple, Site of Southern Clan Office, Confucius Temple and School, Kaiyuan Temple, Statue of Lao Tze, Qingjing Mosque, Islamic Tombs, Statue of Mani in Cao’an Temple, Sites of Cizao Kilns (Jinjiaoyishan Kilns), Sites of Dehua Kilns (Weilin-Neiban Kilns, Qudougong Kiln), Xiacaopu Iron Production Site of Qingyang Village in Anxi, Luoyang Bridge, Anping Bridge, Site of Shunji Bridge, Estuary Docks, Shihu Dock, Liusheng Pagoda, and Wanshou Pagoda.

　　These sites vividly reflect Quanzhou’s historical role as a major maritime trade hub and a melting pot of Eastern and Western civilizations. Unique, ancient, and unparalleled in significance, they stand as enduring witnesses to the prominence, contributions, and cultural richness of the ancient Eastern port city once known as "Zayton."