Quanzhou: China's Museum of Religions

Located in Fujian Province, China, Quanzhou impresses with its modern transportation system and sustainable infrastructure planning. The city boasts a developed network of roads, railways, and seaports, offering maximum convenience for travel and commerce. Alongside its advanced infrastructure, Quanzhou also attracts visitors with its beautiful scenery, ancient culture, and rich cuisine. In recent years, the city has continuously expanded bus routes and developed a modern urban rail system, helping to alleviate traffic congestion and improve the quality of life.

Let's explore this city where modernity and tradition intertwine in greater depth!

Overview of Quanzhou

Geographical Location

Quanzhou is located in the southeastern part of Fujian Province, China, bordering the East China Sea. Quanzhou holds a strategic position, serving as Fujian's gateway to the sea and playing a crucial role in international trade, particularly historically as a key node on the "Maritime Silk Road."

Population

Quanzhou currently has a population of approximately 8.9 million, the majority of whom are Han Chinese. The city is like a colorful cultural tapestry, with influences from various ethnic groups, creating a rich and diverse living environment.

History of Quanzhou's Formation and Development

Quanzhou has a long and rich history, known since the 3rd century during the Eastern Han Dynasty. Throughout history, Quanzhou became an important trading port, a hub for the exchange of goods not only domestically but also with other countries. In the 19th century, the city was opened for international trade, leaving behind many historical imprints of various peoples.

In recent years, Quanzhou has undergone a strong transformation with investments in infrastructure and urban development. Local authorities have dedicated significant resources to upgrading the transportation system and building new infrastructure to meet the growing needs of residents and visitors.

Weather and Climate

Quanzhou has a maritime-influenced subtropical monsoon climate, characterized by: Mild temperatures year-round, with winters not too cold and summers hot but not excessively harsh. Abundant rainfall, concentrated mainly in summer and early autumn (typically from May to September). High humidity, with moist air throughout the year. Overall, Quanzhou's climate is very warm and humid, suitable for the development of tropical and subtropical crops, and favorable for seaports and maritime trade.

Quanzhou Culture and Cuisine

Characteristics of Quanzhou People

The people of Quanzhou are notable not only for their gentle, friendly nature but also for their perseverance and strong entrepreneurial spirit. Thanks to a long tradition of trade via the Maritime Silk Road, Quanzhou people are skilled in business, with many venturing abroad to establish successful careers. This is one of China's most populous regions, and its people possess a spirit of ambition, economic expansion, and international connection.

Festivals and Traditional Customs

Quanzhou is a land rich in cultural identity with many unique festivals and traditional customs, reflecting a deep cultural fusion. One of its distinctive features is the customs of the Xinpu women, female fishermen from coastal villages who stand out with their traditional attire, wearing floral hairpins and pearl jewelry, embodying a maritime cultural lifestyle.

Particularly during the Mid-Autumn Festival, locals hold the custom of playing the Min-Tai Mid-Autumn Mooncake Game, a folk game using dice to win symbolic prizes for good luck, originating from the Qing Dynasty. These customs not only enrich the spiritual life of Quanzhou's people but also contribute to preserving and promoting the unique cultural traditions of this land.

Quanzhou Specialty Cuisine

Quanzhou cuisine is an important part of the city's cultural identity, distinguished by its combination of maritime flavors and traditional dishes. Some must-try foods when visiting Quanzhou include:

• Spring Rolls (Bánh gỏi cuốn): This is a popular dish during the Qingming Festival, similar to spring rolls or fresh rolls. Thin wrappers are rolled with various fillings like vegetables, meat, eggs, dried shrimp, and peanuts, creating a harmonious, fresh flavor.
• Thread Noodles (Mì sợi): A signature dish of Quanzhou, made from handmade thread noodles cooked in a rich broth to form a smooth, thick mixture. It's often combined with seafood, pickled meat, pork blood, or pork intestines, depending on taste. When eating, it's typically accompanied by fried dough sticks (youtiao), sprinkled with fried shallots and pepper, creating a delicious, enticing flavor.
• Oyster Omelette (Hàu ốp lết): Fresh oysters are mixed with sweet potato starch and eggs, fried until crispy and golden, and served with a sweet and sour sauce. This is a very popular street food not only in Quanzhou but also common in Taiwan.

Experiencing Quanzhou's cuisine is not merely about enjoying food but also about exploring the culture and lifestyle of its people.

Art and Architecture

Architecture and art in Quanzhou are a harmonious crystallization of various cultures, evident in both ancient and modern structures. Mentioning Quanzhou, one cannot overlook the ancient Songkou Street, one of the best-preserved ancient streets in southern China. Additionally, architectural works from the Ming and Qing dynasties, with exquisite patterns and unique lines, are clear evidence of the brilliant development of traditional Chinese architecture.

Not only prominent in architecture, Quanzhou is also the cradle of many distinctive art forms, notably Fujianese antiphonal singing and other folk arts, attracting the interest of tourists and locals alike.

Quanzhou Economy

Over the years, Quanzhou has witnessed an economic boom, thanks to its focus on infrastructure development and support for key economic sectors. From a small city, Quanzhou has rapidly developed into one of the region's leading logistics centers. Increased investment from manufacturing, services, and trade sectors has also contributed significantly to its economic growth.

Quanzhou's main development sectors include:

• Industry: Quanzhou focuses on developing the processing industry with main products such as food, beverages, and consumer goods.
• Logistics: With its geographical advantage, Quanzhou is one of the important logistics centers, contributing to trade and import-export.
• Tourism: A convenient public transportation system, coupled with famous attractions, has facilitated the development of the tourism industry, becoming a major revenue source for the city.
• High-Tech Agriculture: Quanzhou is actively promoting the development of high-tech agricultural models to increase agricultural output and economic efficiency.

Transportation and Infrastructure

Quanzhou's transportation and infrastructure systems are continuously upgraded and developed to meet the growing needs of residents and visitors. A flexible transportation network with multiple options supports movement and commerce within the region and facilitates economic development.

• Roads: The "one belt, three verticals, two horizontals" expressway network has basically taken shape, with a total length of 684 km. 89% of towns are connected to expressways within 30 minutes. In 2024, 202 km of new/renovated roads were built, raising the total length to 20,081 km, with a density of 182.56 km/100 km².
• Railways: The Xing-Quan and Fu-Xia lines are under construction; forming a "two horizontals, three verticals" network. Quanzhou has 10 railway stations, with a total railway length of 541.39 km (including 188.36 km of high-speed rail).
• Aviation: Jinjiang International Airport connects to 72 destinations, serving over 800,000 passengers during peak months. It is one of Fujian's three major airports.
• Waterways: Quanzhou Port has a history of over 1,500 years, comprising 3 port areas with 49 berths, a designed capacity of 39.18 million tons/year, and container capacity of 2.51 million TEU. In 2023, it handled 63 million tons of cargo and nearly 1.91 million TEU.
• Public Transportation: Bus routes have increased significantly, forming a "bus + slow mobility" model. In 2024, the city had over 39,000 transport vehicles, including 7,210 passenger vehicles and nearly 32,000 freight vehicles. Bus passenger transport volume reached 1.17 billion trips.

Tourism in Quanzhou - Must-See Destinations

Must-See Destinations

Quanzhou is not only famous for its long history but also an attractive destination with religious architectural works and ancient streets rich in cultural imprints. Below are some representative tourist attractions that visitors should not miss:

• Kaiyuan Temple: The largest temple in Quanzhou and one of China's important Buddhist relics. The temple is notable for its two tall stone pagodas, exquisite carved statues, and serene space, attracting many devotees and tourists for worship.
• West Street: This is Quanzhou's oldest ancient street, preserving many ancient architectural structures and unique cultural spaces. Strolling along West Street, visitors can explore traditional shops, teahouses, and enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere of the city.
• Chengtian Temple: One of Quanzhou's important ancient temples, Chengtian Temple features traditional architectural beauty with a peaceful space. It is an ideal place to learn about Buddhism and enjoy tranquility within the city.

Top Universities in Quanzhou

Quanzhou is one of the important educational centers of Fujian Province, with many famous universities and institutes attracting students from all over. Below are some representative universities in Quanzhou:

• Huaqiao University (华侨大学): One of the top universities in Quanzhou, known for its strengths in economics, management, engineering, and law. The school has a diverse learning environment with many international students from around the world.
• Quanzhou Normal University (泉州师范学院): A school specializing in teacher training and pedagogical research, playing an important role in the region's educational development.
• Yang-En University (仰恩大学): A private university with diverse training programs, especially in economics, finance, and management.
• Minnan University of Science and Technology (闽南理工学院): Focuses on training in engineering, technology, and applied sciences, contributing high-quality human resources to the region.

Some universities in Quanzhou implement attractive scholarship programs to attract international students, while also collaborating with foreign universities to expand learning and development opportunities. These programs not only provide financial support but also encourage students to come for research and experience a diverse and rich academic environment, contributing to promoting cultural and intellectual exchange between countries.

Job Opportunities in Quanzhou for International Students

Quanzhou is an important economic center of Fujian Province, with strong development in sectors such as commerce, technology, manufacturing, and services. Thanks to its dynamic economy and open policies, international students have many job opportunities after graduation.

If you intend to develop yourself after studying here, you need to proactively research the job market, participate in internship programs at local enterprises, and improve your language skills, especially Chinese. Additionally, building relationships with professors, alumni, and businesses through seminars and career events is also an effective way to access job opportunities.

Future of Quanzhou

Conclusion