Understanding the profound culture of Quanzhou and checking in at popular tourist attractions (Part 2)

As the first historical and cultural city, the first capital of East Asian culture, the only city recognized by UNESCO as the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road, an international garden city, and a national garden city, Quanzhou has been awarded the Best Practice in Improving the Living Environment by the United Nations in Dubai. During the Tang Dynasty, Quanzhou was one of the four major ports in the world, and Marco Polo called it the "City of Light". During the Song and Yuan dynasties, it was known as the "Number One Port in the East".

Quanzhou Museum

The main building of Quanzhou Museum is highly distinctive and aesthetically pleasing, featuring the typical style of Minnan architecture. It is the site of the UNESCO 'World Multicultural Exhibition Center'. Quanzhou Museum is also an important window to understand the history and culture of Quanzhou. The exhibits and the layout of the exhibition halls showcase the rich local cultural characteristics of Quanzhou.

China Fujian-Taiwan Kinship Museum

A national-level museum, it is a specialized national museum that reflects the historical relationship between mainland China and Taiwan. It focuses on showcasing Minnan culture and folklore.

Southern Shaolin

Quanzhou Southern Shaolin Temple, also known as Zhen Guo Dong Chan Temple, commonly referred to as Southern Shaolin. Quanzhou is the birthplace of Southern Shaolin martial arts. It flourished during the Tang and Song dynasties and faced multiple suppressions by the government during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Its contribution to the development of Chinese martial arts is second only to the Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng.

Quanzhou Confucian Temple

One of the Eighteen Scenic Spots of Quanzhou, the Confucian Temple is a national key cultural relic protection unit (fifth batch). The temple was originally built during the Tang Dynasty and rebuilt during the Southern Song Dynasty. It is grand in scale and well-preserved, making it the largest Confucian temple complex in the southeastern region. The current layout mainly reflects the renovations done during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. Its main building, the Dacheng Hall, is a typical double-eaved hip-and-gable roof structure from the Song Dynasty, known for its high degree of regularity.

West Lake Park

One of the eighteen scenic spots of Quanzhou, known as West Lake Mist and Haze. The entire park features four islands, three bridges, three long dikes, and three bodies of water.