Quanzhou (泉州)

1. Introduction

Quanzhou City, abbreviated as Quan or Li, also historically known as Citong (City) (Arabic: زيتون, Romanized: Zaytun, meaning olive; Mongolian: ᠴᠢᠳᠤᠨ, transliteration: Chidun), Wenling, and Qingyuan, is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Fujian Province, People's Republic of China, located along the central-southern coast of Fujian Province. Situated in the coastal hilly-plain region of southeastern Fujian, its terrain is higher in the northwest and lower in the southeast, with the Daiyun Mountains in the northwest. The East and West Streams of the Jin River converge at Shuangxikou in Nan'an City, flow eastward through the urban area, and empty into Quanzhou Bay. The Municipal People's Government is located on Donghai Street, Fengze District. Quanzhou is the political, economic, cultural, and transportation center of southern Fujian, one of the first National Historical and Cultural Cities, the starting point of the ancient Maritime Silk Road, a UNESCO World Multicultural Exhibition Center, a World Religious Museum, China's first East Asian Culture Capital, a National Civilized City, and a National Hygienic City. In the mid-to-late period of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, the Qingyuan Army (Pinghai Navy) regime established by Liu Congxiao, the Prince of Jinjiang, had its capital here, earning it the titles "Ancient Capital of a Millennium" and "Ancient Capital of Southern Fujian." During the Song and Yuan dynasties, Quanzhou's overseas trade flourished. It was called "one of the two greatest commercial paradises in the world" and "the Alexandria of the East" by the Italian traveler Marco Polo, "the greatest port in the world" by the Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta, and "the metropolis of the Seven Min regions" by the Yuan dynasty scholar Wu Cheng.

Quanzhou is a world-renowned International Garden City, one of China's three Comprehensive Financial Reform Pilot Zones, one of the five central cities in the West Coast Economic Zone of the Taiwan Strait, and its GDP ranked first in Fujian Province for 22 consecutive years. In 2017, its comprehensive urban economic competitiveness ranked 28th in China. It is the birthplace and cradle of Southern Fujian (Minnan) culture, the core and rich area for Minnan cultural preservation, with profound historical culture and numerous scenic spots and historical sites, earning it the reputation of "Coastal Zou-Lu" and "City of Light." On August 26, 2013, Quanzhou was designated by the Ministry of Culture as China's first "East Asian Culture Capital," alongside Yokohama, Japan, and Gwangju, South Korea. Quanzhou is the only city recognized by UNESCO as the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road. In 2015, as part of China's "Belt and Road" strategy, Quanzhou was positioned as a "Pilot Zone for the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road." In July 2015, the Chinese Academy of Engineering designated Quanzhou as the sole local model and practical example for "Made in China 2025." On July 25, 2021, "Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China" was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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2. History

Quanzhou is the birthplace of Minnan culture. It was first established as the seat of Dong'an County in 260 AD (the third year of the Yong'an era of Eastern Wu), giving it an independent administrative history of over 1,750 years. As a settlement, Quanzhou was built into a city in 720 AD, which was 1,300 years ago.

2.1 Paleolithic Age

As early as the Paleolithic Age, the ancient Min people were reclaiming land and thriving on the territory of present-day Quanzhou. These ancient ancestors used stone tools for labor and production, mastering the techniques of cultivating rice and making pottery.

2.2 Bronze Age

Between 3,400 and 2,900 years ago (roughly corresponding to the mid-to-late Shang Dynasty to the early Western Zhou Dynasty), an early Bronze Age culture strongly influenced by the Central Plains Shang-Zhou culture emerged in the Jinjiang River basin, known as the Fubin Culture.

2.3 Han Dynasty and Eastern Wu

In the fifth year of Emperor Gaozu of Han (202 BC), Emperor Gaozu enfeoffed Wuzhu as the King of Minyue, re-establishing the Minyue Kingdom. Subsequently, the area of present-day Quanzhou successively belonged to the Minyue Kingdom, Ye County, and Houguan County. In the third year of the Yong'an era of Eastern Wu (260 AD), Jian'an Commandery was established. Most of present-day Quanzhou City belonged to Dong'an County (with its seat located in present-day Fengzhou Town, Nan'an County), while present-day Dehua County belonged to Houguan County.

2.4 Jin Dynasty and Southern Dynasties

In the third year of the Taikang era of the Western Jin Dynasty (282 AD), Dong'an County was renamed Jin'an County, belonging to Jin'an Commandery.

In the fifth year of the Yongjia era of the Western Jin Dynasty (311 AD), warfare in the Central Plains led to the southward migration of prominent aristocratic families into the Min region. They settled along the banks of the ancient Nan'an River, renaming it the "Jinjiang River." They brought advanced production tools, techniques, and culture from the Central Plains, promoting further development and prosperity in the region.

From the Eastern Jin to the Southern Dynasties period, Quanzhou society was relatively stable. Coastal inhabitants "used nets as plows," developing fisheries and salt production while also reclaiming alluvial flats in the lower reaches of the Jinjiang River to expand farmland, competing with rivers and the sea for land. Inland inhabitants terraced hillsides. Production saw significant development, and maritime transportation quietly began to emerge during this time.

During the Southern Dynasties, in the fourth year of the Taishi era of Liu Song (468 AD), Jin'an Commandery and Jin'an County were renamed Jinping Commandery and Jinping County, respectively. During the Southern Qi Dynasty, they were renamed back to Jin'an Commandery and Jin'an County. During the Tianjian era of Southern Liang (502–519 AD), the area of present-day Quanzhou belonged to Jin'an County of Liang'an Commandery. In the fifth year of the Tianjia era of Chen (564 AD), Liang'an Commandery was renamed Nan'an Commandery. In the second year of the Guangda era of Chen (568 AD), Nan'an Commandery was placed under Fengzhou (with its seat in Min County, present-day Gulou District, Fuzhou City).

2.5 Sui, Tang, and Five Dynasties

In the ninth year of the Kaihuang era of Sui (589 AD), Fengzhou was renamed Quanzhou (with its seat in present-day Gulou District, Fuzhou City), Nan'an Commandery was abolished, and Jin'an County was renamed Nan'an County. This marks the first appearance of the name "Quanzhou." In the tenth year of Kaihuang (590 AD), the local magnate Wang Guoqing of Nan'an County rebelled against the Sui, proclaiming himself Grand Governor, capturing Quanzhou City. He was suppressed the following spring by Yang Su, Duke of Yue of Sui. In the second year of the Daye era (606 AD), Quanzhou was changed to Minzhou, with Nan'an County belonging to it. In the third year of Daye, Minzhou was re-established as Jian'an Commandery. Dehua belonged to Min County, while other areas of present-day Quanzhou City belonged to Nan'an County.

In the first year of the Wude era of Tang (618 AD), Jian'an Commandery was changed to Jianzhou. In the fifth year of Wude, Fengzhou (with its seat in present-day Fengzhou Town, Nan'an City) was established in the former Nan'an Commandery area, and Putian County was separately established. In the sixth year of Wude (623 AD), Quanzhou was re-established in Min County. In the eighth year of Wude (625 AD), a Chief Military Command was established, governing Quanzhou, Jianzhou, and Fengzhou. In the first year of the Zhenguan era (627 AD), Fengzhou was abolished and merged into Quanzhou.

In the first year of the Sisheng era (684 AD), the area of present-day Quanzhou was for the first time established as a separate prefecture, named Wurongzhou. In the third year (700 AD), Wurongzhou was abolished, and its counties reverted to Quanzhou. In the first year of the Jiushi era (700 AD), a resident of Nan'an County, Sun Shiye, petitioned that the journey to the prefectural seat was too long. Consequently, Wurongzhou was re-established 15 li southeast of Nan'an County (present-day Licheng District, Quanzhou City, Fujian Province). This marks the beginning of the ancient city of Quanzhou. In the second year of the Jingyun era (711 AD), Wurongzhou was renamed Quanzhou, named after the Quan Mountain (Qingyuan Mountain) north of the city. From then on, the term "Quanzhou" no longer referred to the area around present-day Fuzhou. In the eighth year of the Kaiyuan era (720 AD), Jinjiang County (present-day Licheng District) was established as the attached county seat. Around the city of Quanzhou, the Shangshu Pond, Puye Pond were excavated, Dong Lake was dredged, and the Tianshui Weir was built, capable of irrigating thousands of qing of farmland. Handicraft industries produced silk, ramie textiles, as well as daily necessities like celadon and white porcelain, copper, and ironware. At that time, Quanzhou's shipbuilding technology was highly advanced; the sea vessels built were strong against wind, stable for sailing, and suitable for long voyages.

In the first year of the Tianbao era (742 AD), Quanzhou was renamed Qingyuan Commandery. In the first year of the Qianyuan era (758 AD), it was restored as Quanzhou.

In the eighth month of the fifth year of the Zhonghe era (885 AD), the Guangshou Army led by the three brothers Wang Chao, Wang Shengong, and Wang Shenzhi, responding to an invitation from Quanzhou residents like Zhang Yanlu, besieged Quanzhou City. They captured it in the eighth month of the following year (886 AD), killing the unpopular Quanzhou Prefect Liao Yanruo. Subsequently, using Quanzhou as a base, the Guangshou Army conquered the entire Fujian region, eventually developing into the Min Kingdom.

In the early Five Dynasties period, Quanzhou belonged to the Min Kingdom; in the later period, it belonged to the Qingyuan Army (renamed Pinghai Army in 964 AD). The Qingyuan Army was a de facto independent separatist regime, lasting through 4 rulers over 29 years (949–978 AD). Its territory included present-day southern Fujian and Putian, with Quanzhou as its capital. When Liu Congxiao, Prince of Jinjiang and Military Commissioner of Qingyuan Army, governed Quanzhou, he vigorously expanded overseas trade, enlarged Quanzhou City, and ordered the planting of Erythrina variegata trees around the city walls. Quanzhou thus became renowned worldwide as the "City of Erythrina (Citong)." In the third year of the Taiping Xingguo era of Northern Song (978 AD), Chen Hongjin, Military Commissioner of Pinghai Army, was forced to submit to the Northern Song court, an event historically known as the "Surrender of Quanzhou and Zhangzhou."

2.6 Song and Yuan Dynasties

During the Song and Yuan dynasties, Quanzhou was the "Greatest Eastern Port" and the "Greatest Port in the World." In the Northern Song period, Quanzhou's economy became even more prosperous. During the Huangyou era (1049–1054 AD), "within Quanzhou city there were eighty painting workshops, and the population (of the entire prefecture) was no less than five hundred thousand." It was one of the national silk weaving centers, rivaling Hangzhou in its heyday. Its exported goods included silks, satins, gauze umbrellas, gauze fans, celadon and white porcelain, pig iron, copper tripods, iron needles, copper tiles, as well as sugar, wine, tea, dried longan, dried cassia bark, paper, etc. Shipbuilding technology became even more refined, capable of producing large ocean-going vessels.

In the second year of the Yuanyou era of Northern Song (1087 AD), the Song government established the Fujian Superintendent of Maritime Trade in Quanzhou, "responsible for foreign goods, sea vessels, and trade taxation," promoting the continuous development of foreign trade at Citong Port. By the late Northern Song, Quanzhou's foreign trade had reached 31 countries and regions. During the Southern Song period, with the imperial court established in the south, Quanzhou's proximity to Hangzhou, its massive, well-equipped, and stable ships, combined with skilled navigators adept at reading celestial phenomena, discerning waterways, and using the compass for navigation, allowed its vessels to dominate the seas. Quanzhou became a vital hub for Southern Song maritime transport and an important source of economic supply. According to Records of Foreign Lands, Quanzhou at that time had trade relations with 58 overseas countries and regions. "Amidst the sounds of the swelling sea, merchants from ten thousand lands," Citong Port entered an era of unprecedented prosperity. Many wealthy foreign merchants and aristocratic families chose to reside and thrive in Quanzhou.

During the Southern Song period, pirates repeatedly harassed Quanzhou. In the fifth year of the Shaoxing era (1135 AD), pirates led by Zhu Cong invaded Quanzhou. In the seventh (1171 AD) and eighth years (1172 AD) of the Qiandao era, the Pisheya people attacked the coastal areas of Quanzhou twice by sea. In the eleventh year of the Jiading era (1218 AD), pirates led by Wang Ziqing and Zhao Xique invaded Quanzhou. In the fifth year of the Shaoding era (1232 AD), pirates led by Zhou Wangyi invaded Quanzhou.

In 1277 AD (the second year of Jingyan of Southern Song, the fourteenth year of the Zhiyuan era of Yuan Shizu), Pu Shougeng, the Southern Song Pacification Commissioner for Min and Guang who also oversaw maritime trade and was a descendant of Arabs, rebelled against the Song and surrendered Quanzhou to the Yuan. This led to the Southern Song general Zhang Shijie leading a large army to besiege Quanzhou for 90 days. Countless people starved within the city, but the siege ultimately failed.For political and military reasons, the Yuan government repeatedly established provincial or sub-provincial administrative offices in Quanzhou to strengthen its status. In the 14th year of the Zhiyuan era under Emperor Shizu of Yuan (1277), the Quanzhou Provincial Pacification Commission was established, headquartered in Quanzhou, with jurisdiction roughly equivalent to present-day Fujian Province. In the 15th year (1278), the Quanzhou Provincial Pacification Commission was renamed the Quanzhou Provincial Secretariat. In June of the same year, the Jiangxi Provincial Secretariat was merged into the Quanzhou Provincial Secretariat. In July of the same year, the provincial capital was temporarily moved to Ganzhou. In the first month of the 17th year (1280), the Fujian Provincial Secretariat was established, headquartered in Fuzhou. In the same year, the Jiangxi Provincial Secretariat was reestablished, leading to a temporary situation where Fujian, Quanzhou, and Jiangxi provinces coexisted. In May of the same year, the Quanzhou Provincial Secretariat was merged into the Fujian Provincial Secretariat, and the Fujian Provincial Secretariat moved its capital to Quanzhou. In July of the same year, the Jiangxi Provincial Secretariat was merged into the Fujian Provincial Secretariat, and the Jiangxi Circuit Pacification Commission was established. The Fujian Provincial Secretariat then moved its capital to Longxing (present-day Nanchang). In the 18th year (1281), the capital was moved back to Fuzhou. Before October of the same year, the Quanzhou Provincial Secretariat was reestablished. In the 19th year (1282), the Jiangxi Circuit Pacification Commission was abolished, and the Jiangxi Provincial Secretariat was reestablished. In May of the same year, the Quanzhou Provincial Secretariat was merged into the Fujian Provincial Secretariat, and the Fujian Provincial Secretariat moved its capital back to Quanzhou. In June of the same year, the Jiangxi Provincial Secretariat was merged into the Fujian Provincial Secretariat. In March of the 20th year (1283), the capital was moved back to Fuzhou. In February of the 21st year (1284), the Quanzhou Provincial Secretariat was reestablished. In September of the same year, the Quanzhou Provincial Secretariat was merged into the Fujian Provincial Secretariat, and the Quanzhou Sub-Provincial Secretariat was established, with Pu Shougeng serving as the Pingzhang Zhengshi (chief administrator) of the sub-province. In the first month of the 22nd year (1285), the Jiangxi Provincial Secretariat was reestablished, and the Fujian Provincial Secretariat was merged into it, with the Fujian Circuit Pacification Commission established. In the 23rd year (1286), the Fujian Provincial Secretariat was reestablished but was soon merged into the Jiangzhe Provincial Secretariat, with the Fujian Circuit Pacification Commission established. In the 25th year (1288), the Fujian Provincial Secretariat was reestablished. In February of the 28th year (1291), the Fujian Provincial Secretariat was merged into the Jiangxi Provincial Secretariat, and the Fujian Circuit Pacification Commission was established. In the 29th year (1292), the Fujian Provincial Secretariat was reestablished, with its capital in Fuzhou. In the first year of the Dade era under Emperor Chengzong of Yuan (1297), to plan the conquest of Liuqiu (present-day Taiwan), it was renamed the Fujian Pinghai Provincial Secretariat, and the capital was moved to Quanzhou. In February of the third year (1299), the Fujian Provincial Secretariat was merged into the Jiangzhe Provincial Secretariat, and the Fujian Circuit Pacification Commission was established. In the 16th year of the Zhizheng era under Emperor Shun of Yuan (1356), the Fujian Provincial Secretariat was restored. In the 18th year (1358), Neduchi, the Canzhi Zhengshi (deputy administrator) of the Fujian Provincial Secretariat, established the Quanzhou Sub-Provincial Secretariat in Quanzhou. In August of the 26th year (1366), the Fujian and Jiangxi Provincial Secretariats were merged into the Fujian-Jiangxi Provincial Secretariat.

During the Yuan Dynasty, the government continued the Southern Song practice of establishing the Quanzhou Maritime Trade Office. In the 18th year of the Zhiyuan era (1281), a special regulation was issued: "For goods traded by merchants that have already been taxed in Quanzhou, only regular taxes shall be levied elsewhere, without additional levies." This placed Quanzhou Port in a uniquely important position, and Quanzhou earned the reputation as the "Largest Port in the East" during this period. According to the Dao Yi Zhi Lue, Quanzhou's overseas trade extended to nearly a hundred countries and regions. In the winter of the 28th year of the Zhiyuan era (1291), Marco Polo was tasked with escorting Princess Kököchin to the Ilkhanate. Passing through Quanzhou, he wrote in his Travels: "Zayton (Quanzhou) is one of the largest ports in the world, where a great number of merchants gather and goods are piled up like mountains. It is truly unimaginable, and all daily necessities are abundantly available." Fifty years later, the Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta visited Quanzhou and wrote in his travelogue: "I saw over a hundred large ships in the port, and small boats were too numerous to count!" At that time, Quanzhou was not only a prosperous trading port but also a bustling international city. In addition to Chinese residents, tens of thousands of foreign merchants, missionaries, monks, travelers, princes, nobles, and envoys lived in Quanzhou.

In the 17th year of the Zhizheng era (1357) during the late Yuan Dynasty, the Shiite Persians Saifuding and Amiliding, commanders of the volunteer army, occupied Quanzhou, sparking the Yisibaxi Rebellion, which lasted for five years without resolution. In the 22nd year of the Zhizheng era (1362), the Sunni Arab Nawuna seized leadership of the Yisibaxi army and continued to control Quanzhou until the 26th year of the Zhizheng era (1366), when he was defeated by Chen Youding, a warlord loyal to the Yuan Dynasty. This rebellion lasted for about a decade, causing severe damage to Quanzhou's society and initiating its economic decline.

2.7 Ming and Qing Dynasties

In the early Ming Dynasty, the Ming government renamed Quanzhou Circuit as Quanzhou Prefecture. During the Ming period, the Xingquan Circuit was established, headquartered in Quanzhou, with a Xingquan Military Defense Commissioner appointed to oversee military affairs in the Xingquan Circuit.

To prevent harassment by Japanese pirates, the "Sea Ban" policy was initially implemented. Later, to promote tributary trade, the Fujian Maritime Trade Office was established in Quanzhou in the third year of the Hongwu era (1370), limiting trade to Ryukyu only. The Maritime Trade Office was abolished in the seventh year of the Hongwu era. From the third year of the Yongle era to the eighth year of the Xuande era (1405–1433), Zheng He's seven voyages to the Western Ocean promoted the development of tributary trade. The Maritime Trade Office was reestablished in Quanzhou, and the "Laiyuan Post" was added. During this period, Quanzhou's agriculture, sericulture, and handicrafts were highly developed, producing abundant cotton and ramie fabrics, with its textile and dyeing industries gaining fame. Ceramic products were of high quality, metallurgy techniques were exquisite, shipbuilding technology was advanced, and products such as sugar, salt, tea, and longan were profitable commodities in overseas trade. However, due to the substantial rewards of silk, copper coins, etc., required by state-run tributary trade, the costs outweighed the benefits. By the sixth year of the Chenghua era (1470), "the number of foreign tribute envoys increased daily, and the annual production of clothing and coins for rewards was insufficient," making tributary trade unsustainable. In the eighth year of the Chenghua era, the Fujian Maritime Trade Office was moved from Quanzhou to Fuzhou. From then on, Quanzhou's foreign trade declined. In the late Ming Dynasty, Quanzhou residents emigrated in batches to seek livelihoods overseas, forming a new characteristic of Quanzhou's overseas trade. Private trade never ceased but shifted from legal to illegal, giving rise to many armed smuggling groups operating at sea. In the first year of the Chongzhen era (1628), the pirate leader Zheng Zhilong accepted the Ming court's pacification, served as a coastal defense guerrilla commander with the title "Five Tigers Guerrilla General," stationed in Anping Town, Jinjiang County, establishing the Ming Zheng maritime power.

During the Qing Dynasty, the Xingquan Circuit was still established, governing Quanzhou Prefecture and Xinghua Prefecture. In the ninth year of the Kangxi era (the 24th year of the Yongli era under the Ming Zheng regime, 1670), the Xingquan Circuit was established, governing Xinghua Prefecture and Quanzhou Prefecture, with its capital in Quanzhou Prefecture, confronting the Ming Zheng forces in Siming Prefecture. In the fifth year of the Yongzheng era (1727), the capital of the Xingquan Circuit was moved to Jiali, Tong'an County, Quanzhou Prefecture (present-day Xiamen Island). In the 12th year of the Yongzheng era (1734), Yongchuan Directly Administered Prefecture was added to its jurisdiction, and it was renamed the Xingquanyong Circuit. This administrative division continued until the fall of the Qing Dynasty.

In the early Qing Dynasty, facing the powerful anti-Qing forces of Zheng Chenggong, the Qing government first implemented a "Sea Ban" and later ordered a "Coastal Evacuation," forcing coastal residents to move inland by 30–35 li. This caused Quanzhou's coastal residents to leave their homes, become displaced, abandon fertile farmland, empty villages, and led to a comprehensive economic decline. Later, as Zheng Chenggong recovered Taiwan, many displaced coastal residents moved to Taiwan for cultivation. When Shi Lang pacified Taiwan, another group of Quanzhou residents followed the army to Taiwan. According to statistics, during the 23 years of the Zheng regime in Taiwan, over 200,000 people from Quanzhou's coastal areas migrated to Taiwan, playing a significant role in its development.

In the 22nd year of the Kangxi era (1683), after Taiwan was incorporated into the Qing territory, Quanzhou's coastal economy recovered, agricultural production expanded, tea and fruit cultivation techniques improved, and local specialties remained the main export commodities. In the 55th year of the Kangxi era (1716), the Qing government, fearing that anti-Qing forces overseas might ally with foreign powers and threaten its rule, imposed a ban on trade with the Nanyang (Southeast Asia). The ban was lifted in the fifth year of the Yongzheng era (1727) but remained strictly limited. In the 49th year of the Qianlong era (1784), trade between Quanzhou's Hanjiang and Taiwan's Lugang was opened, facilitating maritime trade between Quanzhou and Taiwan.

In the 12th year of the Yongzheng era (1734), Yongchun County was elevated to Yongchun Directly Administered Prefecture, governing Dehua County and Datian County.

After the 18th century, when European colonialism dominated the seas and China was opened to foreign powers, Quanzhou's status as a foreign trade port was replaced by Xiamen. The former glory of Quanzhou Port became a thing of the past, and it declined into a regional small port.

2.8 After the Opium War

After the Opium War, Quanzhou's overseas trade deteriorated, and its social economy stagnated. Coupled with the heavy taxes and exploitation by the Qing government, handicraft industries collapsed, and many people went bankrupt. Farmers toiled for half a year to earn their grain, and livelihoods were precarious. To survive and seek development, Quanzhou residents emigrated in batches to seek livelihoods abroad. From 1841 to 1911, over 708,600 Quanzhou residents emigrated overseas.

During the Xinhai Revolution, a group of Quanzhou intellectuals and patriots pursuing democracy joined the Chinese Revolutionary Alliance (Tongmenghui) to engage in revolutionary activities. Many overseas Quanzhou-born Chinese revolutionaries also joined the Tongmenghui in their places of residence, contributing funds and efforts to support Sun Yat-sen's democratic revolution. In October of the third year of the Xuantong era of the Qing Dynasty (1911), after the Wuchang Uprising, responses erupted across the country to overthrow the feudal rule of the Qing Dynasty. In November, under pressure from revolutionaries and the masses, the Qing-appointed prefect of Quanzhou fled, and the magistrate of Jinjiang County surrendered, transferring power. Quanzhou was declared restored.

2.9 Republic of China

In 1912, Siande Township Jiali (Xiamen Island) and Xiangfengli's islands, including Kinmen, were separated from Tong'an County, Quanzhou Prefecture, to establish Siming County. In 1914, Kinmen County was separated from Siming County. Both counties were directly under the provincial government.

In 1913, Quanzhou Prefecture and Yongchun Directly Administered Prefecture were abolished, and the Xingquanyong Circuit was renamed the Southern Circuit, which included present-day Quanzhou. In 1914, the Southern Circuit was renamed Xiamen Circuit. In 1927, the circuit system was abolished, and a two-tier provincial and county administrative division was implemented. The county-level administrative regions of present-day Quanzhou were directly under the provincial government. Provincial government dispatched agencies—administrative inspection districts—were established. After several changes, most of present-day Quanzhou belonged to the Fourth Administrative Inspection District of Fujian Province by the end of the Republic of China period.In the early years of the Republic of China, within the former Quanzhou Prefecture and Yongchun Directly Administered Region, warlords characterized by the "integration of officials and bandits" carved out their own territories and engaged in continuous conflicts. The naval faction occupied areas such as Kinmen; Gao Yi controlled Jinjiang and Nan'an; Chen Guohua held Dehua and Datian; Wu Wei dominated Yongchun; Ye Dingguo occupied Tong'an and other regions; Yang Hanlie controlled Xianyou and Putian; Chen Guohui ruled Anxi and Nan'an. Quanzhou society remained trapped in prolonged political turmoil, warlord infighting, rampant banditry, and widespread suffering among the people.

From October 1919 to September 1920, Anhai County was established.

From November 1932 to October 1935, local organizations of the Communist Party of China established the Anxi-Nan'an-Yongchun-Dehua Soviet Area in the border region of Anxi, Nan'an, Yongchun, and Dehua counties.

From December 13, 1933, to January 21, 1934, the Republic of China established by the Nineteenth Route Army set up Xingquan Province (initially called Quanhai Province), with Jinjiang County (the county seat located in present-day Quanzhou city proper) as its capital.

In the early morning of August 31, 1949, the Republic of China's traffic police forces stationed in Quanzhou city withdrew. At around 10 a.m. the same day, the First and Second Squadrons of the Independent Brigade of the Quanzhou Team, Minzhong Detachment of the Min-Zhe-Gan People's Guerrilla Column, entered Quanzhou city from Xinmen Gate, tasked with occupying the southern and northern parts of the city respectively; the Third Squadron stationed at Duolian Temple in the southern part of the city, guarding Huazhou Bridge. In the evening, the vanguard of the 260th Regiment of the 87th Division, 29th Army, 10th Corps of the People's Liberation Army entered the city and joined forces with the Quanzhou Team. September 1, 1949, was designated as the Liberation Day of Quanzhou. On September 9, the Fifth (Jinjiang) Prefectural Committee of the Communist Party of China in Fujian Province was established, holding its first enlarged meeting. The Fifth Administrative Inspectorate Commissioner's Office of Fujian Province, the Quanzhou Military Control Commission, and the Fifth Military Sub-district of the Fujian Provincial Military District were also established and began operations simultaneously.

From the late 1920s to 1949, Quanzhou was a city with a relatively high concentration of intellectuals who studied or believed in anarchism, earning it the nickname "Capital of Anarchism." Around 1931, Ye Feiying, a teacher at Liming High School, secretly organized the Chinese Anarchist Communist Alliance in Quanzhou. The anarchist writer Ba Jin visited Quanzhou three times to meet friends: in August 1930, April 1932, and the summer of 1933.

2.10 People's Republic of China

1963, a corner of Quanzhou

In 1949, the People's Liberation Army occupied Quanzhou (excluding islands such as Greater and Lesser Kinmen).

On January 1, 1951, the county town and suburbs of Jinjiang County were separated to establish the county-level Quanzhou City, while Jinjiang County relocated its seat to Qingyang Town.

In 1955, Jinjiang Prefecture was established, renamed Jinjiang Region in 1971.

In 1958, Tong'an County in Jinjiang Prefecture was transferred to Xiamen City. In 1970, Tong'an County returned to Jinjiang Prefecture, and in 1973, it was again transferred to Xiamen City.

On April 28, 1983, Putian and Xianyou counties, originally part of Putian Region, were incorporated into Jinjiang Region. On September 9, the prefecture-level Putian City was established, and Putian and Xianyou counties from Jinjiang Region were placed under its jurisdiction.

On May 14, 1985, Jinjiang Region was restructured into the prefecture-level Quanzhou City, while the former county-level Quanzhou City was divided into Licheng District and Suburban District. On December 23, the Suburban District was abolished. On December 31, the Licheng District People's Government was established. On January 1, 1986, the Quanzhou Municipal People's Government was established.

In December 1987, Shishi, Yongning, and Hanjiang towns, along with Xiangzhi Township from Jinjiang County, were separated to establish the county-level Shishi City.

In 1992, Jinjiang County was restructured into the county-level Jinjiang City.

In 1993, Nan'an County was restructured into the county-level Nan'an City.

In 1996, the Xiaocuo Economic Development Zone was established in the northern part of Hui'an County. In 2000, it was restructured into Quangang District, officially separating from Hui'an County.

In 1997, Licheng District was divided into Licheng District, Luojiang District, and Fengze District.

In the early years of the People's Republic of China, cross-strait relations were tense, and national investments were primarily directed inland, leading to slow economic development. Starting with the reform and opening-up in 1977, Quanzhou was designated as a coastal open city, marking the beginning of a new phase of development.

Since the 1990s, the private economy has rapidly emerged in Quanzhou. Coupled with substantial investments from Taiwanese and foreign businesses, from the late 1990s to the late 2010s, Quanzhou's regional GDP consistently ranked first in Fujian Province. Starting in 2023, with the surge in domestic travel in China following the COVID-19 pandemic and Quanzhou's status as a UNESCO World Heritage city, it has become a major tourist destination in China: that year, Quanzhou's total tourism revenue increased by 68.9% year-on-year, and the number of domestic and international tourists grew by 53.9% year-on-year.

3. Geography

3.1 Location

Quanzhou City is situated on the southeastern coast of Fujian Province, along the mid-section of the coastline between the major ports of Shanghai and Zhanjiang. The entire city lies between 117°35′ and 119°05′ east longitude and 24°23′ and 25°56′ north latitude, spanning approximately 138 kilometers from east to west and about 157 kilometers from north to south. It borders Putian City and Fuzhou City to the northeast, Sanming City and Longyan City to the north and northwest, Zhangzhou City and Xiamen City to the southwest, and faces Taiwan across the Taiwan Strait to the southeast.

3.2 Topography

The total land area of Quanzhou City is 11,015 square kilometers (excluding Kinmen County), with four-fifths of the area consisting of mountains and hills. The terrain slopes from the northwest to the southeast, forming a three-tiered staircase-like distribution. It can be divided into three geomorphological regions: the mid- and low-mountain area in the northwest, the low-mountain, hill, and river valley plain area in the central region, and the coastal hills, terraces, and plains area in the southeast. The Daiyun Mountain Range in the northwest is known as the "Roof of Central Fujian," with its main peak, Mount Daiyun, reaching an elevation of 1,856 meters. The western mountainous areas of Dehua, Yongchun, and Anxi are extensive, featuring 29 peaks above 1,500 meters and hundreds of peaks above 1,000 meters. Interlaced with river valleys and basins, this area constitutes the highest first-tier staircase of Quanzhou's terrain. The southeastern part of the city is relatively open. The mountainous areas, hills, and river valley plains, which are extensions of the Daiyun Mountain Range, are arranged alternately, forming the second-tier staircase of Quanzhou's terrain. The coastal hills and terraces are gentle and continuously distributed, mostly below 200 meters in elevation. The Quanzhou Plain in the middle and lower reaches of the Jin River is the fourth-largest plain in Fujian Province, belonging to the third-tier staircase of the terrain. Extending seaward below the third-tier staircase is the continental shelf.

Quanzhou City borders the East China Sea, featuring major bays such as Meizhou Bay, Dagan Bay, Quanzhou Bay, Shenhu Bay, Weitou Bay, and Anhai Bay. Within these bays, there are over ten ports suitable for constructing large, medium, and small-scale berths. Among them, Xiaocuo Port is a deep-water seaport described as "rare in the world and uncommon in China." Quanzhou's coastal area has numerous islands, with the largest being Kinmen Island (not under actual jurisdiction), covering an area of 133 square kilometers. Other islands include Dazhui Island and Huiyu Island.

3.3 Climate

It has a subtropical monsoon climate. | Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |--------------|------|------|-------|-------|-------|-------|------|-------|------|------|------|------|----------| | Record high °C | 25.2 | 24.6 | 25.8 | 31.6 | 31.4 | 34.5 | 34.7 | 37 | 35.2 | 33.7 | 28.8 | 26.4 | 37 | | Record high °F | 77.4 | 76.3 | 78.4 | 88.9 | 88.5 | 94.1 | 94.5 | 98.6 | 95.4 | 92.7 | 83.8 | 79.5 | 98.6 | | Average high °C | 14.8 | 14.4 | 16.3 | 20.5 | 24.4 | 27.6 | 29.8 | 30.2 | 29.1 | 25.8 | 21.6 | 17.3 | 22.7 | | Average high °F | 58.6 | 57.9 | 61.3 | 68.9 | 75.9 | 81.7 | 85.6 | 86.4 | 84.4 | 78.4 | 70.9 | 63.1 | 72.8 | | Daily mean °C | 11.9 | 11.5 | 13.5 | 17.6 | 21.8 | 25.3 | 27.3 | 27.4 | 26.3 | 22.9 | 18.8 | 14.3 | 19.9 | | Daily mean °F | 53.4 | 52.7 | 56.3 | 63.7 | 71.2 | 77.5 | 81.1 | 81.3 | 79.3 | 73.2 | 65.8 | 57.7 | 67.8 | | Average low °C | 9.7 | 9.5 | 11.2 | 15.3 | 19.7 | 23.5 | 25.2 | 25.3 | 23.9 | 20.7 | 16.5 | 12.1 | 17.7 | | Average low °F | 49.5 | 49.1 | 52.2 | 59.5 | 67.5 | 74.3 | 77.4 | 77.5 | 75 | 69.3 | 61.7 | 53.8 | 63.9 | | Record low °C | −0.3 | 2.6 | 2 | 6.4 | 11.4 | 16 | 20.5 | 20.3 | 16.7 | 12.3 | 7.3 | 2 | −0.3 | | Record low °C (°F) | 31.5 | 36.7 | 35.6 | 43.5 | 52.5 | 60.8 | 68.9 | 68.5 | 62.1 | 54.1 | 45.1 | 35.6 | 31.5 | | Average precipitation mm | 33.9 | 73.6 | 104.8 | 132.5 | 151.6 | 196.6 | 91.4 | 129.5 | 83.1 | 43.7 | 32.7 | 27.9 | 1,101.30 | | Average precipitation inches | 1.33 | 2.9 | 4.13 | 5.22 | 5.97 | 7.74 | 3.6 | 5.1 | 3.27 | 1.72 | 1.29 | 1.1 | 43.37 | | Average precipitation days | 6.4 | 10.7 | 14.2 | 14.1 | 14.3 | 12.7 | 6.9 | 9 | 6.6 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 4.7 | 107.4 |

4. Administrative Divisions

Quanzhou City currently administers 4 municipal districts, 5 counties, and oversees 3 county-level cities on behalf of the province.

• Municipal Districts: Licheng District, Fengze District, Luojiang District, Quangang District
• County-level Cities: Shishi City, Jinjiang City, Nan'an City
• Counties: Hui'an County, Anxi County, Yongchun County, Dehua County, Kinmen County Quanzhou City has also established the following administrative management zones: National-level Quanzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone, National-level Quanzhou High-tech Industrial Development Zone, National-level Quanzhou Taiwanese Investment Zone.

| Division Code | Division Name | Minnan Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | Including: Ethnic Townships | |-------------------|-------------------|-----------------------|----------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|---------------|--------------------------------| | 350500 | Quanzhou City | Zuánziū Cî | 11,286.59 | 8,782,285 | Fengze District | 362000 | 30 | 108 | 25 | 1 | | 350502 | Licheng District | Lǐsniá Kū | 59.05 | 428,361 | Haibin Subdistrict | 362000 | 8 | | | | | 350503 | Fengze District | Hōngdék Kū | 122.4 | 698,557 | Fengze Subdistrict | 362000 | 8 | | | | | 350504 | Luojiang District | Lókgāng Kū | 374.81 | 247,172 | Wan'an Subdistrict | 362000 | 2 | 3 | 1 | | | 350505 | Quangang District | Zuángǎng Kū | 340.79 | 354,296 | Shanyao Subdistrict | 362100 | 1 | 6 | | | | 350521 | Hui'an County | Huîwnā Gnûi | 790.14 | 1,030,626 | Luocheng Town | 362100 | | 15 | 1 | 1 | | 350524 | Anxi County | Ānkuē Gnûi | 2,993.78 | 1,003,599 | Fengcheng Town | 362400 | | 13 | 11 | | | 350525 | Yongchun County | Yǐngcūn Gnûi | 1,455.43 | 422,531 | Taocheng Town | 362600 | | 18 | 4 | | | 350526 | Dehua County | Dīkhuè Gnûi | 2,203.72 | 332,148 | Xunzhong Town | 362500 | | 12 | 6 | | | 350527 | Kinmen County | Gīmbbńg Gnûi | | | | | | | | | | 350581 | Shishi City | Zióhsāi Cî | 177.69 | 685,930 | Hubin Subdistrict | 362700 | 2 | 7 | | | | 350582 | Jinjiang City | Zìn'gāng Cî | 744.28 | 2,061,551 | Luoshan Subdistrict | 362200 | 6 | 13 | | | | 350583 | Nan'an City | Lámwnā Cî | 2,024.48 | 1,517,514 | Ximei Subdistrict | 362300 | 3 | 21 | 2 | |

5. Economy

Quanzhou's economy consistently ranks among the top in the nation. In 2023, Quanzhou's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ranked 21st in China. Before being surpassed by the provincial capital Fuzhou in 2021, Quanzhou's GDP had ranked first in Fujian Province for over 20 consecutive years. In terms of GDP figures alone, Quanzhou has reached the level of a moderately developed country. Famous local brands include Anta, Xtep, Peak, and Hengan.

Quanzhou is a major industrial city in Fujian Province, renowned as a significant manufacturing production base and foreign trade export center in China. The city boasts nine industrial clusters each with an output value exceeding one hundred billion yuan, spanning sectors such as textiles and apparel, footwear, petrochemicals, equipment manufacturing, building materials and home furnishings, food and beverages, handicrafts, papermaking and printing, and electronic information. The combined output value of these nine major hundred-billion-yuan industries accounts for over 90% of the city's total industrial output value above the designated scale. Among China's mainland cities with a GDP exceeding one trillion yuan, Quanzhou has the highest proportion of private economy in its economic composition.

5.1 2023 Data

5.1.1 Main Economic Data

In 2023, Quanzhou achieved a regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 1,217.233 billion yuan, an increase of 4.8% over the previous year. The per capita regional GDP was 137,060 yuan, up 4.6% year-on-year. Specifically, the added value of the primary industry was 26.166 billion yuan, growing by 3.9%; the secondary industry added value was 646.912 billion yuan, up 4.1%; and the tertiary industry added value was 544.155 billion yuan, an increase of 5.7%. The ratio of the three industries was 2.1 : 53.2 : 44.7.

The total industrial added value for the year increased by 3.0% compared to the previous year. The added value of industries above the designated scale grew by 3.3%. Within industries above the designated scale, light industry grew by 1.5%, while heavy industry grew by 5.7%. By sector, mining grew by 34.0%, manufacturing grew by 3.2%, and the production and supply of electricity, heat, gas, and water grew by 1.9%. The sales-to-production ratio of industrial products was 94.5%.

The added value of the wholesale and retail trade for the year was 180.666 billion yuan, an increase of 7.1% over the previous year; the added value of transportation, storage, and postal services was 47.869 billion yuan, up 5.2%; the added value of accommodation and catering was 18.438 billion yuan, up 7.4%; the added value of the financial sector was 68.656 billion yuan, up 7.0%; the added value of the real estate sector was 61.516 billion yuan, a decrease of 3.7%. The operating revenue of service enterprises above the designated scale increased by 2.6% compared to the previous year.

The per capita disposable income of residents for the year was 49,486 yuan, an increase of 6.0% over the previous year; per capita consumption expenditure was 31,638 yuan, up 6.5%. The ratio of per capita disposable income between urban and rural residents was 2.05, narrowing by 0.04 compared to the previous year. The Engel coefficients for urban and rural households were 31.0% and 37.8%, respectively.

5.1.2 Other Economic Data

At the end of 2023, the number of civilian vehicles (including three-wheeled vehicles and low-speed trucks) was 2.064 million, an increase of 5.2% from the end of the previous year. Among these, private vehicles numbered 1.846 million, up 5.7%. Throughout the year, 396 kilometers of roads were newly built or renovated. The total length of roads open to traffic reached 19,879 kilometers by year-end, an increase of 1,003 kilometers from the end of the previous year. This included 3,060 kilometers of high-grade roads (second-class and above) and 684 kilometers of expressways. The road density reached 180.7 kilometers per hundred square kilometers. The total railway mileage was 541.39 kilometers, including 188.36 kilometers of high-speed rail.

The total volume of freight transport for the year was 393.83 million tons, an increase of 7.8% over the previous year; the total volume of passenger transport was 42.7949 million person-times, up 86.8%. Port container throughput was 1.9193 million TEUs, a decrease of 8.2%. The postal industry handled 7.2384 million letters, 128,400 parcels, and 2.178 billion express delivery items throughout the year, with express delivery revenue reaching 14.034 billion yuan. By year-end, the number of mobile phone base stations was 85,900, including 46,800 4G base stations and 22,400 5G base stations. The total number of telephone subscribers was 11.9543 million, including 1.326 million fixed-line subscribers and 10.6282 million mobile phone subscribers. Fixed broadband internet access subscribers numbered 5.0139 million, an increase of 270,200 from the end of the previous year, with a fixed broadband household penetration rate of 139.56 per hundred households; mobile internet users numbered 9.5416 million, an increase of 196,400. IoT terminal users reached 19.29 million, an increase of 28.8% from the end of the previous year.

Fixed asset investment for the year increased by 11.5% compared to the previous year. By industry, investment in the primary industry grew by 56.3%; investment in the secondary industry grew by 19.4%, of which industrial investment grew by 19.5%; investment in the tertiary industry grew by 6.6%. By sector, project investment grew by 23.4%, infrastructure investment grew by 32.3%, and private investment decreased by 0.5%.

In 2023, a total of 255,900 new market entities were registered, including 67,200 enterprises and 188,400 individual businesses. By the end of 2023, the total number of market entities reached 1.5277 million, including 455,000 enterprises and 1.0678 million individual businesses.

The total value of goods imports and exports for the year was 259.929 billion yuan, a decrease of 4.0% from the previous year. Exports amounted to 188.552 billion yuan, down 5.3%; imports amounted to 71.377 billion yuan, down 0.5%. The trade surplus was 117.175 billion yuan, a decrease of 10.554 billion yuan from the previous year. The total import and export value with countries and regions participating in the Belt and Road Initiative was 172.952 billion yuan, a decrease of 2.0% from the previous year. The import and export value with other member countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) was 84.541 billion yuan, a decrease of 13.4% from the previous year. Throughout the year, 764 new foreign direct investment enterprises were established, an increase of 30.2% over the previous year. The total investment amounted to 2.26 billion US dollars, up 50.4%; contracted foreign investment was 1.74 billion US dollars, up 20.2%; actual utilized foreign investment was 850 million US dollars, down 12.8%. A total of 34 foreign-invested enterprises commenced operations or went into production during the year.

The total general public budget revenue for the year was 101.847 billion yuan, an increase of 10.6% over the previous year.

5.2 County-Level Economic Characteristics

5.2.1 Brand Capital Jinjiang

Jinjiang is the county-level city with the strongest comprehensive strength in Fujian Province and Quanzhou. Its basic competitiveness in county-level economy consistently ranks between 5th and 7th among China's Top 100 Counties (Cities) (7th in 2010). Its comprehensive innovation capability ranks 6th among county-level cities nationwide, and its economic strength has been the top among county-level entities in Fujian for 17 consecutive years. It ranked first among county-level cities in the provincial public civilization index assessment. In 2011, its GDP was 109.568 billion yuan, with a total fiscal revenue of 13.606 billion yuan.

Brand Capital — To date, enterprises in the city collectively possess 123 national-level product brands and 401 provincial-level product brands. These include 97 "China Famous Brand Products," 24 "China Well-Known Trademarks," 2 "China Export Famous Brand Products," and over 250,000 brand franchise stores spread across the country. Twenty-four enterprises led or participated in the formulation or revision of national standards, 17 enterprises participated in the formulation or revision of industry standards, and there are 5 national-level enterprise technology centers.

Industrial Base — It holds 14 national-level industrial regional brand titles. At the 2009 Third China Brand Festival, it was awarded the "Special Award for Brand Cities," being the only county-level city to receive this honor. It has been successively honored with titles such as "National Sports Industry Base," "World Capital of Jackets," "China Shoe Capital," "China Textile Industry Base," "National Strong County in Food Industry," "China Umbrella Capital," "China Ceramics Town," "China Famous Town for Casual Wear," "China Famous Town for Underwear," "China Famous Town for Weaving," and "China Packaging and Printing Base."

Jinjiang Sector — To date, the city has 37 listed companies, having raised approximately 20.5 billion yuan in capital from the stock market, with a market capitalization of about 180 billion yuan. The number of listed enterprises ranks first among all counties (cities, districts) in China, forming the "Jinjiang Sector" in the securities market.

5.2.2 Eastern Milan Shishi

Shishi City is the county-level city with the second strongest comprehensive strength in Fujian Province and Quanzhou. Its comprehensive economic strength ranks 21st among the Top 100 Small and Medium-sized Cities for Scientific Development in China. Multiple indicators, including per capita GDP, per capita disposable income of urban residents, urbanization rate, and per capita car ownership, rank first among county-level cities in the province. In 2014, the city's GDP was 63.83 billion yuan.

Shishi is a famous city for casual wear in China. Renowned worldwide for its apparel industry, Shishi is home to over 10,000 enterprises in textiles, apparel, and supporting industries, with an annual output value exceeding 100 billion yuan. It is one of China's important textile and apparel production bases and distribution centers. Fifty percent of Shishi's garments are exported, and many internationally renowned clothing brands source materials and place production orders in Shishi. Shishi is one of China's five major garment transnational procurement bases, one of China's top ten garment wholesale markets and top ten innovative markets, and one of the most important professional garment markets in Asia. Many famous Chinese fashion brands have emerged from Shishi, such as Septwolves, Lilanz, Cabbeen, Zuoan, Sienia, Langdao, Aidengbao, Wellanx, Jinyuan, and Saiqi.#### 5.1.3 Huian: The Hometown of Carving Art Huian is renowned in China as the hometown of stone carving, often praised with titles such as "the land of carving art" and "the land of architecture." As a highly capable county-level city, Huian ranks third in comprehensive competitiveness in Fujian Province and was placed 29th among China's Top 100 Counties (Cities) in 2010. In 2009, Huian's GDP reached 34.452 billion yuan (approximately 5.043 billion USD), with a per capita GDP of 36,573 yuan (about 5,354 USD).

5.1.4 Nan'an: The Hometown of Plumbing Fixtures

Nan'an is famous in China as the hometown of plumbing fixtures. In the 2014 ranking of China's Top 100 Counties, Nan'an secured the 33rd position. Notable plumbing fixture enterprises include Jomoo, Zhongyu, HHSN, and Sunlot. In 2012, Nan'an's regional GDP amounted to 66.15 billion yuan. Stone materials, plumbing fixtures and kitchen/bathroom products, and mechanical equipment are the three pillar industries of Nan'an.

5.1.5 Anxi: The Tea Capital of China

Anxi is the birthplace of Tieguanyin tea and is one of China's famous tea-producing regions. The economy of Anxi is vibrant and has developed rapidly. Over the more than thirty years of reform and opening up, Anxi has shaken off poverty, achieved moderate prosperity, and sustained its development. It is one of China's Top 100 Counties, ranking among the top ten counties in Fujian Province for economic strength and economic development. In 2009, the county's GDP was 24.895 billion yuan, with an industrial output value of 36.15 billion yuan, total fiscal revenue of 1.378 billion yuan, and a per capita net income of 7,701 yuan for farmers. Prominent tea enterprises include Anxi Tieguanyin Group, Bama Tea, and Richun Tea.

5.1.6 Yongchun: The Hometown of Ponkan

Yongchun is one of China's first open counties, known as the "Capital of Fragrance in China," the "Hometown of Ponkan," the "Hometown of Chinese Paper Weaving Painting," a National Ecological County, a National Model County for Greening, and also recognized as one of China's Most Characteristic and Charming Tourist Counties, a Model County for Livability and Business in China, a Provincial Model County for Greening, one of the Top Ten Forestry Counties, an Advanced County in Environmental Protection, and an Ecological Demonstration Zone. It was rated as one of the Top Ten Economically Strong Counties in Fujian Province five times consecutively (2004-2008).

5.1.7 Dehua: The Capital of Ceramics

Dehua is a famous production area for contemporary Chinese porcelain. In 1996, it was named "Hometown of Chinese Ceramics" by the Development Research Center of the State Council. In 2003, it was further honored as "Hometown of Chinese Folk (Ceramic) Art" and awarded the title "China Ceramic Capital · Dehua." In 2015, it was granted the title "World Ceramic Capital."

6. Transportation

6.1 Urban Roads

Prior to the large-scale road renovations in the 1990s, most streets in Quanzhou's urban area (e.g., Tumen Street before renovation) were only 3-5 meters wide, with only Zhongshan Road, Xinhua Road, and Wenling Road being relatively wider.

In the mid-to-late 1990s, the Quanzhou Municipal Government began widening the main roads in the old city. Except for Zhongshan Road and West Street, the widths of many main roads in the old city were expanded from 3-5 meters to 10-24 meters, gradually forming the current road network layout of Quanzhou's old city.

Simultaneously, with Quanzhou's urban development strategy of expanding eastward and around the bay, new districts such as Donghai, Chengdong, the Taiwan Investment Zone, and Binjiang were gradually established starting from 1993. The road infrastructure in these new districts saw significant improvements compared to the old city. For example, roads like Donghai Avenue, the east-west main artery in the Taiwan Investment Zone, and the North-South Yingbin Avenue feature configurations of 8 main lanes and 4 auxiliary lanes in each direction, aligning with mainstream road standards in China.

• The Shigongling Overpass, built in 1997, was the first overpass in Quanzhou's urban area. It was renovated in 2003 and completed in its current form in 2004.
• The West Lake Underpass, completed in 2004, was the first underpass tunnel in Quanzhou's urban area.
• The Pingshan Viaduct, completed in 2008, was the first viaduct in Quanzhou's urban area.
• In 2014, the Jinjiang Airport Link Road opened, connecting Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport at its southern end to the Tian'an Bridge (opened in 2012) and the G15 Shenhai Expressway Chidian Toll Station at its northern end. This significantly reduced travel time between Quanzhou's urban area and Jinjiang Airport.
• In 2017, as part of the Quanzhou Ancient City enhancement and urban "double restoration" initiatives, traffic restrictions were implemented in phases and sections on the eastern part of West Street in July and on Zhongshan Road in September. Subsequently, due to increasing tourist numbers to the Quanzhou Ancient City (near the West Street Clock Tower), stricter traffic controls were enforced on the eastern part of West Street (prohibiting all vehicles) and on Zhongshan Road (south of the Clock Tower, prohibiting all motor vehicles, and also prohibiting electric bicycles and bicycles during peak pedestrian hours).
• On February 6, 2021, the 7.17-kilometer Laojun Avenue, connecting Quanzhou Railway Station and the Donghai Administrative Center (location of the Quanzhou Municipal People's Government), was fully opened to traffic. This greatly facilitated transportation between Quanzhou Station and the Donghai and Chengdong districts, also alleviating traffic pressure on sections like Chenghua Road, Donghu Street, Shaolin Road, and Quanshan Road along the route. Quanzhou has implemented a policy prohibiting gasoline and diesel-powered motorcycles (meaning compliant electric bicycles are allowed) from entering the old city area.

6.2 National and Provincial Highways

National highways within Quanzhou include G228, G324, G355, and G358. Provincial highways include S306, S307, S308, etc.

The main expressways are G15 Fuxia Expressway, G72 Quannan Expressway, S11 Fuxia Expressway Quanzhou Section, S55 Xiuyong Expressway Quanzhou Section, S56 Nanhui Expressway, S58 Jinchang Expressway Quanzhou Section, G1523 Yongguan Expressway Quanzhou Section, G2517 Shaxia Expressway Quanzhou Section, and S21 Zhengyong Expressway Quanzhou Section.

6.3 Public Transportation

6.3.1 Road

Road transportation primarily consists of city buses and short-distance road passenger transport.

6.3.2 Railway

Zhangquanxiao Railway: Zhangping City - Meizhou Bay Xiaocuo Port, Quanzhou City From December 10, 2014, with trains 5217/5218 shortened to terminate at Zhangping, the Zhangquanxiao Railway officially ceased passenger services. From January 5, 2023, the Anxi - Hui'annan section of the Zhangquanxiao Railway was decommissioned.

Hangshen Railway Fuzhou-Xiamen Section: Opened in 2010. There are over ten daily services from Quanzhou to Shanghai, strengthening the connection between Quanzhou and the Yangtze River Delta economic zone. Starting from New Year's Day 2015, Quanzhou Station began operating three originating/terminating high-speed rail services to Shenzhen North.

Xingquan Railway: Xingguo County, Jiangxi Province - Fengze District (passenger), Hui'an County (freight), Quanzhou City Fuxia Passenger Dedicated Line (passenger): Fuzhou City - Xiamen City

6.3.3 Quanzhou Rail Transit

Quanzhou had previously planned to build both a tram system and a metro system. However, due to various reasons (such as fiscal constraints and urban population not meeting standards), neither project progressed to substantive planning. Quanzhou has thus become the only city in mainland China with an annual GDP exceeding 1 trillion RMB that does not have a metro/rail transit system. Regarding intercity rail, approximately 70 km of the Xiamen-Zhangzhou-Quanzhou Intercity Railway R1 Line will pass through Quanzhou. It will start at Quanzhou East Station, pass through the Taiwan Investment Zone, Fengze, Jinjiang, and Nan'an, connect to Xiang'an Airport, and finally reach Zhangzhou City.

6.3.4 Aviation

Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport is located in Qingyang Subdistrict, Jinjiang City. It operates multiple domestic routes and irregular international/regional flights to Hong Kong, Manila, Macau, Taipei, Incheon, and Jeju. The State Council, via State Council Document No. 46 "State Council Approval on Opening Fujian Quanzhou Jinjiang Airport to Foreign Traffic," officially approved the establishment of Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport as a Class I aviation port. It was officially renamed Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport in November 2014.

6.3.5 Two-Wheeled Travel

Local residents commonly use electric bicycles or motorcycles for transportation. Motorcycles have been banned in Quanzhou's urban area since 2013. Since July 1, 2016, electric bicycles exceeding national standards (i.e., those with yellow license plates) have been prohibited in Quanzhou's urban area. Since June 30, 2016, Quanzhou Public Bicycles (colloquially known as "Little Yellow Men") have been in operation. The first phase initially covered 50 stations in areas including the ancient city and the municipal administrative center, with about 1,500 bicycles. As of May 2024, there are over 1,300 stations. Starting April 2023 (with trial operation beginning December 2022), the system incorporated public electric scooters ("Little Orange Travel"), using models previously circulating in Quanzhou's shared electric scooter market, integrated into the "Little Yellow Men" borrowing/returning system. Currently, the system has over 15,000 bicycles and 4,800 electric scooters; however, during peak tourist seasons, borrowing or returning vehicles at high-traffic locations can still be difficult. Although shared bicycles became popular in mainland China around 2016, due to the existence of Quanzhou's public bicycle system, commercial shared electric scooters like Hello Bike only appeared in Quanzhou around 2018 when electric-assisted bicycles began to rise.

6.3.6 Waterway

Regarding sea routes, Quanzhou has its own port, Quanzhou Port, with larger ports including Shihu Port, Houzhu Port, and Shijing Port. On June 8, 2006, the Quanjin Passenger Terminal opened, initiating the Quanzhou to Kinmen route, making Quanzhou the third city to implement the "Mini Three Links." Quanzhou Port was merged into Meizhou Bay Port on April 1, 2012, resulting in Quanzhou City losing the naming rights and management authority for Quanzhou Port, which sparked controversy among local residents, business representatives, and various public figures.

7. Education

7.1 History of Education

Since the Qin and Han dynasties, primitive forms of education existed in the Quanzhou area. After the Western Jin Dynasty, private schools began to take shape in Quanzhou. During the Jianzhong era of the Tang Dynasty (780–783 AD), Quanzhou established its first local schools.

During the separatist rule of the Qingyuan Army (Pinghai Army), imperial examinations for the Jinshi and Mingjing degrees were held in Quanzhou every autumn, known as the "Autumn Hall," to select talents for official positions.

In the sixth year of the Kaibao era of the Northern Song Dynasty (973 AD), the imperial court decreed the establishment of prefectural and county schools in Quanzhou. Confucian temples were used as school buildings, renowned scholars were hired as instructors, student quotas were set, and school-owned farmland provided financial support. The system was well-established, and rituals were solemn. From then on, the trend of establishing schools in Quanzhou flourished. During the Southern Song Dynasty, the Southern External Imperial Clan Office was set up in Quanzhou, forming clan schools to educate imperial descendants. After Zhu Xi lectured in Quanzhou, academies began to appear.

During the Yuan Dynasty, community schools emerged in Quanzhou, and the new Jinmen Wuzhou Academy was established. Due to the increase in Arab merchants, Pu Shougeng once applied to establish a foreign school.

During the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, the government ordered the opening of schools, the selection and appointment of Confucian teachers, and the recruitment of students for education and governance. Later, the imperial examination system was implemented, leading to greater development in Quanzhou's education.

During the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, Quanzhou's prefectural schools reached their peak. In the 31st year of the Guangxu era, the imperial examination system was abolished. Prefectural, sub-prefectural, and county schools were converted into primary and secondary schools or Confucian temples, while some academies and private schools were transformed into new-style schools. By the late Qing Dynasty, Quanzhou had established 4 secondary schools, 110 primary schools, and 1 vocational school. Among the newly established schools, except for a few government-run ones, most were private, with many founded by overseas Chinese and missionary organizations. Literary culture flourished, and education prospered.

From the year 792 AD, when Ouyang Zhan passed the Jinshi examination, to 1904 AD, over 1,100 years, a total of 2,473 individuals from Quanzhou passed the Jinshi examination. Among them, 20 served as grand councilors or chancellors during the Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties: Zeng Gongliang, Su Song, Liu Zheng, Liang Kejia, Lü Huiqing, Cai Que, Zeng Conglong, and Zeng Huai of the Song Dynasty; Li Tingji, Lin Xuan, Zhang Ruitu, Jiang Dejing, Yang Jingchen, Shi Jixie, Lin Yuji, and Liu Linchang of the Ming Dynasty; and Hong Chengchou and Li Guangdi of the Qing Dynasty. Additionally, Huang Kezan served as Minister of five ministries during the Ming Dynasty. In the late Ming Dynasty, Quanzhou also produced the thinker Li Zhi and the national hero Zheng Chenggong.

In the early years of the Republic of China, schools were renamed. In 1919, the New Culture Movement emerged. During the Republican period, the government repeatedly ordered the abolition of private tutorial schools, but most persisted. Due to warfare during this period, many schools faced operational challenges, with some opening and closing intermittently.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the new government began to take over public schools and, in 1952, took over missionary schools. By 1955, all private tutorial schools had disappeared. In 1958, Quanzhou University was established but dissolved the following year. By 1990, the city had 4 full-time colleges and universities and 2 college-level programs.

7.2 Higher Education Institutions

• Public Undergraduate Institutions: Huaqiao University, Quanzhou Normal University, Fuzhou University Jinjiang Campus (Branch Campus), Fuzhou University College of Chemical Engineering (Secondary College) Quangang Campus, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Anxi Tea College (Digital Economy College) (Secondary College), Fujian Medical University Second Clinical Medical College (Secondary College)
• Private Undergraduate Institutions: Yang-En University, Minnan University of Science and Technology, Minnan Science and Technology College, Quanzhou University of Information Engineering
• Private Undergraduate Independent Colleges: Fuzhou University Zhicheng College Jinjiang Campus (Branch Campus), Fuzhou University Zhicheng College Quangang Campus (Branch Campus), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Jinshan College (Anxi) (Branch Campus)
• Private Vocational Undergraduate Institution: Quanzhou Vocational and Technical University
• Public Vocational Colleges: Liming Vocational University, Quanzhou Medical College, Quanzhou Preschool Education College, Fujian Electric Power Vocational and Technical College, Quanzhou Economics and Trade Vocational and Technical College, Quanzhou Arts and Crafts Vocational College
• Private Vocational Colleges: Quanzhou Engineering Vocational and Technical College, Quanzhou Light Industry Vocational College, Quanzhou Textile and Garment Vocational College, Quanzhou Marine Vocational College, Quanzhou Huaguang Vocational College

7.3 Key High Schools

Quanzhou currently has 29 Fujian Provincial First-Class Standard High Schools: Quanzhou No.1 High School, Quanzhou No.5 High School, Quanzhou No.7 High School, Quanzhou No.9 High School, Quanzhou No.11 High School, Quanzhou Peiyuan High School, Quanzhou Chengdong High School, Shishi No.1 High School, Shishi Shiguang High School, Jinjiang No.1 High School, Jinjiang No.2 High School, Jinjiang Yangzheng High School, Jinjiang Jiyan High School, Jinjiang Qiaosheng High School, Jinjiang Yuying High School, Jinjiang Nanqiao High School, Jinjiang Yinglin High School, Nan'an No.1 High School, Nan'an No.3 High School, Nan'an Guoguang High School, Nan'an Qiaoguang High School, Nan'an Nanxing High School, Hui'an No.1 High School, Hui'an Heshan High School, Quanzhou Huinan High School, Anxi No.1 High School, Anxi Mingxuan High School, Yongchun No.1 High School, Dehua No.1 High School.

7.4 Key Primary Schools

Quanzhou currently has 4 municipal primary schools: Quanzhou City Experimental Primary School, Quanzhou City Jinguang Primary School, Quanzhou Normal University Affiliated Primary School, Quanzhou City No.2 Experimental Primary School.

8. Population

According to the 2010 Sixth National Population Census, the city's permanent resident population was 8,128,530. Compared with the Fifth National Population Census, the population increased by 845,490 over the ten-year period, a growth of 11.61%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.10%. Among them, the male population was 4,207,544, accounting for 51.76%; the female population was 3,920,986, accounting for 48.24%. The sex ratio of the permanent resident population (with females as 100) was 107.31. The population aged 0–14 was 1,178,882, accounting for 14.50%; the population aged 15–59 was 6,237,844, accounting for 76.74%; the population aged 60 and above was 711,804, accounting for 8.76%, of which the population aged 65 and above was 486,988, accounting for 5.99%.

In 2011, the city's total population was 8.21 million (excluding Kinmen County), an increase of 81,500 from the end of the previous year. The population aged 65 and above accounted for 6.36%. The birth rate was 11.9‰, the death rate was 4.7‰, and the natural growth rate was 7.2‰. The urbanization rate of the city was 59.3%.

At the end of 2017, the city's permanent resident population was 8.65 million, an increase of 70,000 from the end of the previous year. The population aged 65 and above accounted for 7.3%. The birth rate was 14.8‰, the death rate was 6.6‰, the natural growth rate was 8.2‰, and the urbanization rate of the permanent resident population was 65.7%. At the end of the year, the city's registered population was 7.4233 million, with an urbanization rate of 49.7% among the registered population.

According to the 2020 Seventh National Population Census, the city's permanent resident population was 8,782,285. Compared with the 8,128,533 from the Sixth National Population Census, the population increased by 653,752 over the ten-year period, a growth of 8.04%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.78%. Among them, the male population was 4,586,453, accounting for 52.22% of the total population; the female population was 4,195,832, accounting for 47.78% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 109.31. The population aged 0–14 was 1,810,831, accounting for 20.62% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 5,811,365, accounting for 66.17% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 1,160,089, accounting for 13.21% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 790,577, accounting for 9% of the total population. The population living in urban areas was 6,012,651, accounting for 68.46% of the total population; the population living in rural areas was 2,769,634, accounting for 31.54% of the total population.

At the end of 2022, the permanent resident population was 8.879 million, an increase of 29,000 from the end of the previous year. Among them, the urban permanent resident population was 6.219 million, accounting for 70.04% of the total population (urbanization rate of permanent residents), an increase of 0.34 percentage points from the end of the previous year. The annual birth rate was 7.67‰, and the natural growth rate was 0.45‰. At the end of the year, the registered population was 7.7382 million, an increase of 25,500 from the end of the previous year.

8.1. Ethnic Groups

In the city's 2020 permanent resident population, the Han ethnic group population was 8,472,460, accounting for 96.47%; the population of various ethnic minorities was 309,825, accounting for 3.53%. Compared with the 2010 Sixth National Population Census, the Han population increased by 572,933, a growth of 7.25%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.71 percentage points; the population of ethnic minorities increased by 80,819, a growth of 35.29%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.71 percentage points.

At the end of 2021, the Han ethnic group accounted for 96.47% of the total population, and ethnic minorities accounted for 3.53% (totaling 311,400 people), primarily consisting of Hui, She, Miao, and Tujia ethnic groups. There is one ethnic township (Baigi Hui Ethnic Township in Hui'an County) and 48 ethnic villages (communities); among them, there are 30 Hui villages (communities), 15 She villages, 2 Manchu villages (Fulin Village in Longhu Town, Jinjiang City and Wukeng Village in Xiamei Town, Nan'an City), and one Mongolian village (Xiaoba Village in Tuli Town, Quangang District). The Hui ethnic group is mainly distributed in Jinjiang City, Hui'an County, Quangang District, and other areas; the She ethnic group is mainly distributed in Nan'an City, Anxi County, Quangang District, and other areas; the Tujia ethnic group mainly resides in Jinjiang City, Nan'an City, and other areas.

9. Religion

Stone Bamboo Shoots, one of the first batch of Fujian Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

Quanzhou was extremely prosperous during the Song and Yuan dynasties, with frequent overseas exchanges. Historically, merchants from all over the world gathered here, and with them came religions from around the globe. Major world religions coexisted peacefully in this city. Officials from United Nations inspection teams have praised Quanzhou as a "World Museum of Religions." Quanzhou is home to over 6,000 temples, enshrining more than 500 different deities.

Major religious sites and relics:

• Buddhism: Kaiyuan Temple, Chengtian Temple, Chongfu Temple, Bao'en Temple, Jinjiang Longshan Temple, Anxi Qingshuiyan, Lingying Temple, Venerable Master Hongyi's Stupa, Amitabha Buddha Statue at Kaihua Cave, etc.
• Taoism: Lao Jun Yan Statue, Fashi Zhenwu Temple, Anxi City God Temple, Jiyun Hall, etc.
• Mazu Worship: Quanzhou Tianhou Palace, Shage Lingci Palace, Xunpu Shunji Palace, etc.
• Wangye Worship: Tonghuai Guanyue Temple, Hui'an Qingshan Palace, Shishan Fengshan Temple, Huaqiao Ciji Palace, Quanzhou Fumei Palace, Shimen Yuhu Hall, etc.
• Confucianism: Quanzhou Prefectural Confucian Temple, Anxi Confucian Temple, Yongchun Confucian Temple, etc.
• Christianity
• Catholicism: Quanzhou Holy Family Church (Huaxiang Catholic Church) of Xiamen Diocese, Hui'an Catholic Church, Luoyang Catholic Church, Jintao Catholic Church, etc.
• Protestantism: Quannan Church, Quanxi Church, Jubao Church, Fuqiao Church, Fashi Church, Guantou Church, Xiamei Church, Qiandian Church, Heshi Church, Majia Church, Xingao Church, Jingangxiang Church, Chengtianxiang Church, Bincheng Church, etc.
• Nestorianism: Statue of the Four-Winged Angel
• Islam: Qingjing Mosque, Lingshan Islamic Holy Tombs
• Manichaeism: Cao'an (the world's only surviving Manichaean temple ruins)
• Hinduism: Baigou Temple, Fanfo Temple Ruins
• Judaism: Baogu Stone
• Three-in-One Religion: Zhangshan Hall, Luoshan Hall, etc.
• Fertility Worship: Stone Bamboo Shoots
• Figure Worship: Three Kings Temple of Min Founding, Liu Congxiao Temple, Loyal and Beneficial Lord Cai Shrine, Nan'an Yanping Junwang Shrine, PLA Temple, etc.

10. Culture

Quanzhou boasts a rich cultural life and possesses a significant number of national-level intangible cultural heritages. These include Nanyin (Southern Music), Quanzhou Beiguan (Northern Pipe Music), Quanzhou Paixiong Dance, Liyuan Opera, Gaojia Opera (Ke School), Quanzhou String-Puppet Theater, Jinjiang Glove-Puppet Theater, Huian Stone Carving, Quanzhou Lanterns, Dehua Porcelain Firing Techniques, Huian Women's Costume, Dacheng Opera, Wuzuquan (Five Ancestors Fist), Watertight-Bulkhead Fuchuan Shipbuilding Techniques, Oolong Tea Production Techniques (Tieguanyin Production Techniques), Southern Fujian Traditional Residential Architecture Techniques, Lingyuan Wanying Tea, Nan'an Yingdu Babadeng (Lantern Pulling), Xunpu Women's Customs, Quanzhou (Li Yaobao) Paper-Cutting, Puppet Head Carving (Jiang Jiazou Puppet Head Carving), Anhai Duck Catching, and more.

10.1 Opera and Theater

• Gaojia Opera
• Liyuan Opera
• Puppet Theater (String Puppets)
• Dacheng Opera

10.2 National-Level Intangible Cultural Heritages

• Traditional Music: Quanzhou Nanyin, Quanzhou Beiguan
• Quanzhou Paixiong Dance
• Traditional Theater: Liyuan Opera, Gaojia Opera (Ke School), Puppet Theater (Quanzhou String-Puppet Theater, Jinjiang Glove-Puppet Theater), Dacheng Opera
• Traditional Sports, Entertainment, and Acrobatics: Wuzuquan, Quanzhou Lion Slaying
• Traditional Fine Arts: Paper-Cutting (Quanzhou (Li Yaobao) Paper-Cutting), Huian Stone Carving, Puppet Head Carving (Jiang Jiazou Puppet Head Carving), Lantern Art (Quanzhou Lanterns), Bamboo Weaving (Anxi Bamboo and Rattan Weaving), Wood Carving (Quanzhou Wood Carving), Yongchun Paper Weaving Painting
• Southern Fujian Traditional Residential Architecture Techniques
• Folklore: Dragon Boat Festival, Fujian-Taiwan Cross-Strait (Sea Water-Splashing Festival) Customs, Huian Women's Costume, Lantern Festival (Quanzhou Lantern Festival Customs, Fujian-Taiwan Dongshi Lantern Customs), Nan'an Yingdu Babadeng Customs, Xunpu Women's Customs
• Southern School Glove-Puppet Theater
• Southern Shaolin Martial Arts
• Nan'an Cai Clan Ancient Residential Complex Architecture Techniques
• Quanzhou Yang Amiao Residential Architecture Techniques
• Traditional Skills: Dehua Porcelain Firing Techniques, Watertight-Bulkhead Fuchuan Shipbuilding Techniques, Anxi Oolong Tea (Tieguanyin) Production Techniques, Southern Fujian Traditional Residential Architecture Techniques
• Jinjiang Traditional Residential Architecture Techniques
• Huian Traditional Architecture Techniques
• Traditional Medicine: Jinjiang Lingyuan Wanying Tea

10.3 Cuisine

Due to its long history and cultural convergence, Quanzhou has a vast array of delicious foods. Examples include Mianxianhu (Thread Noodle Soup), Sanhemian (Three-Combination Noodles), Caiyan Cake, Yuganzhi (Indian Gooseberry Pastry), Suanrongzhi (Garlic Twists), Juhong Cake (Tangerine Peel Cake), Quanzhou Kunti (Tied Pork Trotter), Caitousuan (Pickled Radish), Runbingjuan (Spring Pancake Roll), Beef Soup, Gongtang (Tribute Candy), Jijuan (Chicken Roll), Sugao (Crispy Cake), Zhuyoubo (Pork Lard Cracklings), Oyster Cake, Honglai Chicken Feet, Jintao Dried Tofu, and more.

10.4 Language

The primary dialect in Quanzhou City is the Quanzhou dialect, belonging to the Quanzhang subgroup of the Southern Min branch of the Min language family (further divisible into the Fucheng and Haikou accents), which is spoken in the vast majority of areas within Quanzhou City. Today, branches derived from the Quanzhou dialect are widespread, especially in Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

Additionally, several dialects with smaller speaker populations are distributed:

• Toubei Dialect: Spoken in most of Nanpu Town, Houlong Town, Fengwei Town, the eastern end of Qianhuang Town, and the northeastern end of Tuliang Town in Quangang District. It is a transitional dialect between the Southern Min and Puxian branches of the Min language family.
• Puxian Min: Spoken in Jieshan Town, the northern end of Tuliang Town, and Shicu Village in Nanpu Town of Quangang District; the northeastern end of Luoxi Town in Luojiang District; the southeastern end of Huyang Town in Yongchun County; and in Maocuo Village of Shuikou Town and Hutou Village of Gekeng Town in Dehua County.
• Zhangzhou Dialect (Quanzhang subgroup of Southern Min): Spoken in most of Futian Township and the western part of Gande Town in Anxi County.
• Zhongxian Dialect: Spoken in Hecun Village and Shangyun Village of Yangmei Township in Dehua County. It is a transitional dialect among Youxi Chengguan dialect, the Houguan subgroup of Eastern Min, and the Puxian branch of Min, leaning towards the Youxi Chengguan dialect.
• Chunhu Dialect: Spoken in Chunhu Village of Shuikou Town in Dehua County. Its linguistic classification is undetermined.
• Shehua: Spoken in Longta Village of Gekeng Town in Dehua County.

11. Sister Cities

As of October 20, 2017, Quanzhou has established six pairs of international sister city relationships with five countries.

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Fengze District

Jinjiang City

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Coral tree flowers, banana shrub flowers