QUANZHOU, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Quanzhou is located on the southeast coast of China's Fujian Province. In the Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties, Quanzhou was known as "the largest port in the East".
With numerous merchant ships from the East and the West coming and going day and night, the prosperity of the city was vividly recorded in many historical materials and "The Travels of Marco Polo", which recounts the journey of the Italian explorer to the East.
Aerial photo taken on July 8, 2021 shows tourists visiting an ancient stone bridge in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)
Aerial photo taken on July 8, 2021 shows the general view of Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Song Weiwei)
Aerial photo taken on July 7, 2021 shows vehicles running around an ancient city gate in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Song Weiwei)
Aerial photo taken on July 7, 2021 shows the statue of Zheng Chenggong, a national hero in the 17th century, in the backdrop of modern buildings in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Song Weiwei)
As there are a thousand Hamlets in a thousand people's eyes, when strolling in this ancient city, people may have different feelings. Some may be attracted by its heartwarming humanistic atmosphere while others may be inspired by its people's spirit of perseverance.
As one of the most renowned historical and cultural cities in China, Quanzhou is obviously ancient. Meanwhile, Quanzhou is young and energetic with its economic aggregate output topping all other cities in Fujian Province for 22 consecutive years. Nowadays, people in the thousand-year-old city are enjoying both its heritage and modernity.
Tourists take photos in historical Jinyu alley in Licheng District of Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, July 8, 2021. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)
Artists perform Nanyin, one of China's oldest music styles and a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, at a teahouse in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, July 6, 2021. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)
People enjoy tea at a homestay in Xijie, an ancient street area, in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, July 7, 2021. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)
A fisherwoman smiles in the sunset glow on an ancient bridge in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, July 7, 2021. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)
Aerial photo shows people enjoying tea at a homestay in Xijie, an ancient street area, in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, July 7, 2021. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)
A man rides early in the morning in Xijie, an ancient street area, in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, March 24, 2018. (Xinhua/Song Weiwei)
On July 25, 2021, UNESCO accepted "Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China" as a cultural property on its World Heritage List amid the ongoing 44th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Fuzhou, capital city of Fujian Province.
Photo taken on May 19, 2019 shows the roof ridges of traditional residential buildings in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)
A swallow and a butterfly fly around a roof ridge in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, July 8, 2021. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)
Tourists walk past Qingjing Temple in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, July 6, 2021. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)
Aerial photo taken on July 9, 2021 shows fishermen rowing boats on the river beside an ancient bridge in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)
A woman walks past Kaiyuan Temple in Xijie, an ancient street area, in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, July 7, 2021. (Xinhua/Song Weiwei)
Kids play in the Heavenly Goddess Palace in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, July 8, 2021. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)
Tourists take pictures at the building on an ancient stone bridge in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, July 8, 2021. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)
Residents pass the Bell Tower early in the morning in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, July 8, 2021. (Xinhua/Song Weiwei)
A woman rides through historical Jinyu alley in Licheng District of Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, July 8, 2021. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)
Kids rest under trees beside an ancient stone bridge in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, July 8, 2021. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)
Produced by Xinhua Global Service■
