City and Industry

　　The phrase "Quanzhou, the best-tasting World Heritage city" is often used to describe this unique destination.

　　Located in the southeastern part of Fujian Province, Quanzhou is one of the province’s major cities. With a population of 8.88 million and a GDP of 1,217.2 billion RMB in 2023, Quanzhou is renowned for its stunning geographical setting between mountains and the sea. The city’s landscape is characterized by hills and mountains, which cover four-fifths of its total area, earning it the local description: "80% mountains, 10% water, and only 10% farmland."

　　World Heritage City

　　Quanzhou holds a prominent position in history as the starting point of the ancient Maritime Silk Road, a designation granted by UNESCO. It is one of China’s 24 historic cities, known as a "City of Culture in East Asia." In 2021, the "Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China" project was added to the World Heritage List. Quanzhou is the only city in China to hold all three of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage lists. As the birthplace of Minnan (Southern Fujian) culture, Quanzhou is home to a rich repository of intangible cultural heritage, with 628 items, including five world-class, 36 national-level, and many regional designations. The city is also recognized as the "World City of Ceramics," "World City of Stone Carving," and "World City of Crafts" (Rattan and Iron Craft). Its "Anxi Tieguanyin Tea Culture System" has been acknowledged as a global agricultural heritage by the UN FAO.

　　Gastronomic Epic

　　Quanzhou’s culinary heritage is deeply rooted in its long history as a major port on the Maritime Silk Road since the 10th century. As a key hub for the exchange of global food culture, the city exported goods like tea, porcelain, and vinegar, while introducing ingredients such as chili peppers, corn, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes to China, which significantly shaped Chinese cuisine. In the mid-19th century, millions of Quanzhou emigrants settled across over 170 countries and regions, spreading the city’s open and diverse culinary culture globally and contributing to the globalization of Chinese food.

　　Quanzhou cuisine, a major component of Fujian cuisine, focuses on preserving the natural flavors and nutritional value of ingredients. It is known for its refined selection of ingredients, bold use of seasonings, and exceptional cooking techniques. Quanzhou’s cuisine reflects influences from the migration of intellectuals during the Wei and Jin dynasties, the rich local produce of the Jinjiang River area, and exotic flavors brought back via the Maritime Silk Road. The result is a fusion of Southern Chinese flavors, coastal traditions, and even Western influences, making it a distinctive and multifaceted culinary tradition.

　　More than just a gastronomic delight, Quanzhou's cuisine offers a cultural journey, bridging history, geography, and time, taking diners on an immersive experience through the city’s deep-rooted history and diverse culinary influences.

　　Thriving Industry

　　Quanzhou's food industry is vast and dynamic, with nearly 150,000 market participants spanning the entire food supply chain, generating over 150 billion RMB in output value. With more than 2 million people employed in the sector, Quanzhou has become a national hub for the production of candies, snacks, and leisure foods. Prominent brands such as Dali, Panpan, and Qinqin have emerged, while industries related to Dehua porcelain, Anxi Tieguanyin tea, and Hongmei seafood are also thriving. New business models, such as food e-commerce, ready-to-eat meals, and rural catering (e.g., outdoor catering), are expanding rapidly.

　　Quanzhou Cuisine Standards

　　To ensure the sustainable growth of its food industry, Quanzhou has collaborated with restaurants, industry associations, and academic institutions to establish food standards. The city has published 38 collective standards for various dishes, including Yuanxiao dumplings, oyster omelettes, and runbingcai wraps. Several local specialties have gained national recognition, such as beef soup, stone flower jelly, and the English translation standards for local dishes.

　　Anxi Tieguanyin

　　Anxi Tieguanyin is one of China’s most renowned teas. In 2004, it was granted geographic indication protection by the National Quality Supervision and Inspection Administration. In 2008, it was added to the second batch of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List, and in 2020, it became one of the first geographical indications protected by both China and the European Union. In 2022, the "Anxi Tieguanyin Tea Culture System" was recognized as a Global Agricultural Heritage by the UN FAO. That same year, the "Traditional Chinese Tea Craft and Related Customs", which includes the production techniques of Anxi Tieguanyin, was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

　　Yongchun Aged Vinegar

　　Yongchun Aged Vinegar is one of China’s "Four Famous Vinegars." In 2008, its production technique was added to Quanzhou’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List, and in 2009, it received national geographic indication protection. Yongchun County is also recognized as the "China Red Yeast Vinegar Capital".

　　High-Quality Development Plan

　　In its bid to be recognized as a "World City of Gastronomy", Quanzhou has been strengthening the foundation of its food industry. National-level experts have been enlisted to guide the city’s restaurant sector, and comprehensive plans have been developed for the high-quality development of the food and beverage industry, with a goal to increase its total value to over 200 billion RMB by 2025. Key industries include leisure foods, tea, aquatic products, grains, oils, and meat processing. The city has also launched the "Quanzhou Ready-to-Eat Meal Industry Plan", aiming for an annual output value exceeding 30 billion RMB by 2025.

　　Quanzhou hosts annual events such as the Straits Cross-Strait (Quanzhou) Agricultural Product Procurement Fair and the Cross-Strait Food Trade Fair, which provide a platform for showcasing the city’s diverse food offerings. In 2019, Quanzhou implemented China’s first national market procurement policy for pre-packaged food exports, offering a streamlined export channel for the city’s food industry and expanding its global presence.