Introducing Quánzhōu
Quánzhōu was once a great trading port and an important stop on the maritime silk route. Back in the 13th century, Marco Polo informed his readers that ‘…it is one of the two ports in the world with the biggest flow of merchandise’. The city reached its zenith as an international port during the Song and Yuan dynasties, drawing merchants from all over the world to its shores. By the Qing, however, it was starting to decline and droves of residents began fleeing to southeast Asia to escape the constant political turmoil.
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Today, Quánzhōu is much smaller than Fúzhōu and Xiàmén, and has a small-town feel. Evidence of its Muslim population can still be detected among the city’s residents and buildings. It still has a few products of note, including the creamy-white déhuà (or ‘blanc-de-Chine’ as it is known in the West) porcelain figures, and locally crafted puppets.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Southeast China
by gocanucks 13 April 2011
The mountainous region where Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, and Fujian provinces meet holds quite a few scenic gems in a relatively compact…
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RE: From Beijing to Hong Kong
by john33 03 April 2011
Depends on what you want to see. Another option is to go more along the East Coast. Travel Beijing to Hangzhou by train. From there…
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RE: Modern Name for
by kereru 23 March 2011
Remembering that in the old Wade Giles "Chow" was what we now call "Zhou" my bet is also with Quanzhou or Changzhou in Jiangsu
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