Understanding the profound culture of Quanzhou and checking out popular attractions (Part 1)

Quanzhou, as the first historic and cultural city in China, the first capital of East Asian culture, the only one recognized by UNESCO as the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road, an international garden city, and a national garden city, was awarded the Best Example Award for Improving Human Settlement Environment by the United Nations in Dubai. During the Tang Dynasty, Quanzhou was one of the world's four major ports, and Marco Polo referred to it as the "City of Light." During the Song and Yuan dynasties, it was known as the "Eastern First Port."

Kaiyuan Temple

Kaiyuan Temple is located on West Street in Quanzhou. It was first built in the early Tang Dynasty and currently preserves major temples from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Covering an area of 78,000 square meters, it is the largest Buddhist temple in Fujian Province.

Luoyang Bridge

National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit (Third Batch) - Luoyang Bridge, also known as 'Wan'an Bridge', is one of the eighteen scenic spots in Quanzhou, known as 'Luoyang Tide Sound'. It was built during the Northern Song Dynasty. The current bridge is 834 meters long and 7 meters wide, with 46 boat-shaped piers. It is the earliest existing large stone bridge in China's ports and one of the four ancient bridges in China.

Quanzhou Tianhou Temple

A key national cultural relic protection unit (third batch) - Quanzhou Tianhou Temple, was first built in the Southern Song Dynasty. The existing main hall is 12 meters high with a double-eaved hip roof. It is a wooden structure from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, well-preserved, and is the largest and oldest Mazu temple building in China.

Chengtian Temple

Also known as Yuetai Temple, it was originally built during the Southern Tang dynasty. Its scale was second only to Kaiyuan Temple, one of the three major temples in southern Fujian. The Chengtian Temple seen today was rebuilt during the reconstruction in 1985.

Qingjing Mosque

One of the top ten famous temples in China. Known for its 'Evening Glow of the Mosque', one of the eighteen scenic spots in Quanzhou. It is a national key cultural relic protection unit (first batch) - Qingjing Mosque. Originally named Shengyou Mosque, also known as the Great Mosque, and also called Asuhab. It was completed in 1009 AD and began reconstruction in 1310 AD. It is the earliest, oldest, and most unique ancient Arab Islamic architectural style existing in China. Stone-structured mosques are rare in the country, and it is the only Islamic mosque selected as one of the top ten famous temples in China.

Guanyue Temple

Commonly known as Guandi Temple, it was built in the Song Dynasty and later renovated during the Republic of China period, with further renovations in the 1980s. Today, Guanyue Temple is the most popular temple in Quanzhou, attracting a continuous stream of worshippers throughout the year.