"This is one of the largest ports in the world, with a large number of merchants gathered here and goods piled up like mountains..." Marco Polo, an Italian traveler, described the ancient city of Quanzhou in the 13th century AD.
According to the surging news, at 5:35 p.m. on July 25, at the 44th World Heritage Conference, the project of "Quanzhou: the World Marine Trade Center of Song and Yuan Dynasties China" was formally approved and became a new world cultural heritage after being submitted to the conference for deliberation. So far, another bright pearl has been added to China's list of world heritages, with 56 world heritages in total.
It is reported that the project of "Quanzhou: China's World Marine Trade Center in the Song and Yuan Dynasties" has applied for the second World Heritage. The number of heritage sites applying for World Heritage status has increased from 16 to 22. The total area of the heritage area is 536.08 hectares, and the total area of the buffer zone is 11126.02 hectares, which are distributed in the vast space from the seaport to the Jiangkou Plain and extends to the hinterland mountains, fully reflecting Quanzhou's distinctive maritime and foreign trade system and diversified social structure in the Song and Yuan dynasties, The value theme of "the world marine trade center of China in the Song and Yuan dynasties" was supported in a multi-dimensional way.
The 44th World Heritage Conference deliberated the site. Tian Xuejun, President of the 44th World Heritage Conference, Vice Minister of China's Ministry of Education, and Director of China's National Commission for UNESCO
Quanzhou Kaiyuan Temple
Quanzhou is one of the highly prosperous business centers in the world's marine trade network in the 10th and 14th centuries. As a dialogue window between China and the world in the Song and Yuan dynasties, it shows China's complete marine trade system, developed economic level and diverse and inclusive cultural attitude. 22 representative historic sites include: Jiuri Mountain Qifeng Stone Carving, Shibosi Site, Deji Gate Site, Tianhou Palace, Zhenwu Temple, Nanwaizongzi Site, Quanzhou Fu Temple, Kaiyuan Temple, Laojun Rock Statue, Qingjing Temple, Islamic Holy Tomb, Cao'an Mani Buddha Statue, Cizao Kiln Site, Dehua Kiln Site, Anxi Qingyang Xiacaopu Iron Smelting Site, Luoyang Bridge, Anping Bridge Shunji Bridge Site, Jiangkou Wharf, Shihu Wharf, Liusheng Tower, Wanshou Tower.
Among them, Kaiyuan Temple, located in the West Street, Licheng District, Quanzhou City, is an important cultural relic along the southeast coast of China and the largest Buddhist temple in Fujian Province. The temple was founded in the second year of Chuigong in the early Tang Dynasty (686), and was initially named Lotus Taoist Temple. It was renamed Kaiyuan Temple in the 26th year of Kaiyuan (738). The existing main temples were built in the Ming and Qing dynasties, with a length of 260 meters from north to south and a width of 300 meters from east to west, covering an area of 78000 square meters. The East Tower is a famous town and the West Tower is a famous Renshou Tower. It stands in the East and West Square, about 200 meters apart. There are more than 30 reliefs of Sakyamuni's life stories on the Xumizuo at the base of the East Pagoda. Each door niche of the tower body has a relief statue of Buddha with fine carving and vivid appearance.
Relief of Zhenguo Tower in Kaiyuan Temple, Quanzhou
Quanzhou Kaiyuan Temple Zhenguo Tower on the stamp
Second World Heritage Application: highlighting Quanzhou's status as an important representative city of China's marine civilization
In 2018, China failed to apply for the "Ancient Quanzhou (Erythrina) Historical Site". In June of the same year, at the 42nd World Heritage Conference held in Bahrain, the review result of the World Heritage Committee on the Quanzhou project was "supplementary report (to be discussed)". After that, based on summing up the experience and lessons of the last time, Quanzhou applied for the World Heritage, and carried out in-depth research and improvement on the value of heritage, the logic and overall relationship of the elements of a series of heritage, and sustainable protection and management approaches.
On April 18, 2020, during the International Day of Monuments and Sites held in Beijing, Song Xinchao, Deputy Director of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, introduced that China's 2020 World Heritage application project was named "Quanzhou: the World Marine Trade Center of Song and Yuan China".
It is understood that the change of "Ancient Quanzhou (Erythrina) Historical Site" to "Quanzhou: the World Marine Trade Center of China in the Song and Yuan Dynasties" is not only a change in the name of the World Heritage application project, but also an increase in the number of heritage sites from 16 to 22. The revised declaration provides a specific geographical and historical background to explain the key role played by Quanzhou (called "Erythrina" in Arabic and Western literature) in the 10-14th century, lists the factors that made Quanzhou an outstanding marine trade center during the Song and Yuan dynasties, which were particularly important in the history of Asian marine trade, and clearly links these factors with various heritage sites, Quanzhou, as an important representative city of China's marine civilization, has a more prominent position and a more distinctive mark.
According to the declaration text, the declared serial heritage truly and credibly reflects the overall regional layout, historical functions, social structure and historical age information of Quanzhou as a world-class marine trade center in the Song and Yuan Dynasties. All heritage sites and elements reflect the reasons for listing in a credible way through their original locations, information from archaeological research, forms and materials, traditional maintenance systems and technical systems reflected in physical remains.
ICOMOS (International Council of Monuments and Sites), which plays an important role in reviewing the list of world cultural heritage sites nominated by countries around the world, believes that the revised declaration text has greatly expanded the overall description and background introduction of Quanzhou as a marine trade center, and has clearly defined the contribution of each heritage site, which effectively reflects the business scope of Quanzhou in Southeast Asia The key factors for a successful global maritime trade center in the Arab region and other regions. ICOMOS believes that the conditions for the integrity and authenticity of the entire series have been met, although it is still necessary to ensure strong protection to prevent potential further urban development from damaging the understanding of the role of each heritage site, and should provide a strong demonstration and interpretation scheme for the entire series of heritage sites in each heritage site.
ICOMOS finally suggested that the "Quanzhou: the World Marine Trade Center of Song and Yuan China" declared by China should be included in the World Heritage List according to standard (iv).
Surrounded by the Bay: Quanzhou gradually became a marine trade center in the Song and Yuan Dynasties
Quanzhou is located in the southeast coast of China. It has grown from the narrow plain formed by the alluvial deposits of Jinjiang River and Luoyang River to the natural barrier of the Daiyun Mountains and Wuyi Mountains in the north and the seaside in the south. The zigzag coastline forms Deep Water Bay, and Quanzhou City is located near the bay.
During the marine Asia period from the 10th to the 14th century, the complex and rapidly developing navigation network flourished and gradually developed into what scholars call "the first global (trade) system". In this system, Quanzhou is in the center of commerce and trade, and quickly surpasses Guangzhou, which has occupied an important position in marine commerce and trade since the Tang Dynasty. At present, scholars can not fully trace back to the beginning of Quanzhou becoming a prosperous port in the Song and Yuan Dynasties. Some scholars believe that the beginning of Quanzhou's maritime transport development may be traced back to the 8-9 century. However, from the beginning of the 10th century, Quanzhou witnessed the rapid growth of marine trade and gradually became a marine trade center.
The success of Quanzhou is due to the local geographical conditions. For example, the waters of Quanzhou Bay are deep, and the city coast can be reached directly through the Jinjiang River. There are also Persian, Arab and Indian businessmen in the city, and they take the initiative to improve. For example, building docks in Quanzhou Bay and at different locations along the Jinjiang River, improving the north-south transportation lines, and developing the mountainous hinterland of the port city to provide resources for porcelain making and iron smelting, Use waterway to transport goods, etc. Finally, the Quanzhou Shibo Division, established in 1087, made Quanzhou an official area for trade and cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries. Since then, the local government has also established the Nanwaizong Zhengsi, which further promoted the prosperity of marine trade.
The outbreak of marine trade in the Yuan Dynasty and the success of Quanzhou strengthened the links between the coastal ports in southern Asia, which gave foreign businessmen favorable conditions and further concentrated their wealth and power in the hands of a small number of people.
At the end of Yuan Dynasty and the beginning of Ming Dynasty, many businessmen poured into Southeast Asia, and Quanzhou began to decline.
According to archaeological discoveries, ancient books and documents, and foreign written records, China's marine civilization, like other Chinese civilizations, has a long and uninterrupted history. But objectively speaking, China's history of opening up and managing the ocean is full of ups and downs. The general rule is that when the government and the public are united in their desire, the marine trade activities are in full swing, producing a significant wealth effect of enriching the country and the people; On the contrary, when the value orientation of the feudal dynasty was opposite to that of the civil society, the marine commerce and trade activities were constrained and marginalized everywhere, leading to the disadvantage of the country and the poverty of the people, even being bullied by foreigners. History contains true knowledge. The significance of a large number of extremely rich and vivid marine commercial and trade practices in China's history has been profound and grand, which has promoted people's understanding of the "metaphysical" phenomenon to the "metaphysical" value consensus.
Introduction to some heritage sites applying for World Heritage:
Jiuri Mountain Wind Praying Stone Carving
Jiuri Mountain Wind Praying Stone Carvings, one of the 16 heritage sites at the time of the last declaration, recorded the ritual of praying for wind during navigation, reflecting the uncertainty of maritime navigation at that time. The sacrificial ceremony prayed to the sea god, the distant king, for a smooth sailing. This heritage site includes 10 stone carvings with complete records, which can be traced back to 1174-1266 years, reflecting the navigation tradition of different seasons of the year.
Jiuri Mountain Wind Praying Stone Carving
Shibosi Site
This is a new heritage site based on recent archaeological excavation and research. Although there are relevant records of Shibosi in ancient documents, its site was not discovered until recently. The establishment of Shibosi in 1087 was the key to promoting Quanzhou's development into a center of marine trade and cultural exchange, which enabled it to participate in international trade. It is located on the bank of Jinjiang River in the south of the city. Although the archaeological excavation is still in progress, there have been abundant archaeological achievements.
Shibosi Site
Nanwai Zongzhengshi Site
Nanwaizong Zhengsi was the management organization of the Song Dynasty royal group who moved to Quanzhou. The establishment of Nanwaizong Zhengsi further strengthened the promotion of the state power on Quanzhou's marine trade, and reflected a strong official management guarantee.
At present, two building sites, one waterfront facility, one coastal road and other cultural relics such as building components and porcelain pieces have been found in the site.
Building components include tiles, ridge animals, bricks, etc. The patterns of the tiles include flower patterns such as lotus petals, peonies, hibiscus flowers, and a few animal face patterns. The bricks are engraved with the word "official", indicating that they are related to official buildings. Some porcelain fragments have ink inscriptions on them, which are related to the chronology of the trunk and branch, the names of institutions or people, and are important clues related to the royal group.
Goddess' Palace
Located at No. 1, Tianhou Road, Quanzhou City, it was built in the second year of the Qing Yuan Dynasty (1196) of the Song Dynasty. Tianhou, also known as Mazu, is the guardian goddess of China's sea, Linmo. Quanzhou Tianhou Palace is Mazu's ancestral temple, which has the highest etiquette standards at home and abroad.
Goddess' Palace
The Tianhou Temple in Quanzhou is the first national key cultural relics protection unit approved and announced by the State Council in the Mazu Temple on the mainland.
Fashizhen Temple
Zhenwu Temple, located in Shitou Street, Fashi Village, Fengze District, was built in the Song Dynasty. It is a temple dedicated to the sea god Zhenwu Great Emperor. It has a history of more than 1000 years and is called "Little Wudang".
Fashizhen Temple
The Fashi Zhenwu Temple is close to the mountain and faces the sea. To the east is the world-famous ancient Ertong Port. There are several thousand year old ancient banyan trees in the temple. The existing buildings of the Ming and Qing Dynasties are convincing historical witnesses of the eastern end of the Maritime Silk Road in Quanzhou during the Song and Yuan Dynasties.
Nanwai Zongzhengshi Site
The site is located in Yard 60, Gurong Lane, Licheng District, Quanzhou City. In the Song Dynasty, ancient Quanzhou had a developed economy and booming overseas trade. Many royal families of Zhao and Song came to Quanzhou. Nanwaizong Zhengsi was the yamen responsible for the affairs of these royal relatives living abroad.
Nanwai Zongzhengshi Site
Quanzhou Confucian Temple
It is located in Fuxue Road, Licheng District, and was built in the late Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty. It is also the center of the ancient Quanzhou city.
The Confucian Temple in Quanzhou is well regulated, rich in cultural connotation, beautiful in architecture, and grand in atmosphere. It is not only a place to worship Confucius, but also a center to spread Confucianism. It is the most representative cultural coordinate in Quanzhou. No admission fees are charged.
Quanzhou Confucian Temple
Kaiyuan Temple
It is located at Xinhua North Road, Licheng District, and was built in the Tang Dynasty. It has towering ancient trees, exuberant incense and exquisite buildings. It is the most famous temple in Quanzhou and the largest Buddhist temple in Fujian. There is a couplet written by Zhu Xi in the temple: "This place was called the Buddhist country in ancient times, and the whole land is full of saints". There are two pagodas on the east and west sides of Kaiyuan Temple, which form a "pin" shape layout with the Mahavira Hall. The two pagodas are square wood octagonal five storey pavilion style stone towers, which are the highest pair of stone towers in China. No admission.
Kaiyuan Temple
Laojun Rock Statue
Located at the foot of Qingyuan Mountain in Quanzhou, the statue was carved from a whole piece of natural granite in the Song Dynasty. According to the Records of Quanzhou Prefecture, "the stone statues are made in heaven, and those who do good deeds should be slightly carved". It is the largest and oldest Taoist stone statue in China, so it is nicknamed "Laozi is the best in the world", which shows the social ecology of the prevalence of Taoism in Quanzhou at that time, the diversity of folk beliefs, and the coexistence of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.
Laojun Rock Statue
Qingjing Temple
It is located in Tumen Street, Licheng District, and was built in the Northern Song Dynasty. In 1309 AD, it was rebuilt by Ahmed of Iran following the example of the Islamic chapel in Damascus, Syria.
The present Qingjing Temple is a ruin, but the outline of the towering Arabian style gatehouse is still there. The main existing buildings are the Gate Tower, Fengtian Temple and Mingshan Hall. Qingjing Temple is the oldest mosque in China, which witnessed the harmonious coexistence of Quanzhou's diverse cultures from the 10th to the 14th century. Admission: 3 yuan
Qingjing Temple
Islamic Holy Tomb
Located at the south foot of Quanzhou Lingshan Mountain, it is the tomb of the four sages of Mohammed who came to China to preach in the Tang Dynasty. The two existing tombs are juxtaposed. The tomb cover is carved with granite, and a horseshoe shaped cloister is built behind the tomb, which has typical architectural features of the Tang Dynasty. It is the oldest and best Islamic holy site in China.
Islamic Holy Tomb
Moni Light Buddha Statue in the Grass Nunnery
The Cao'an Temple, located at the southern foot of Huabiao Mountain in Jinjiang, was built in the Shaoxing period of the Southern Song Dynasty. On the front cliff of the temple, the statue of Mani Light Buddha, carved in 1339, is 1.54 meters high and 0.83 meters wide. It is dignified and serene, with 18 lines of light carved on its back. What's more amazing is that this statue, carved from local materials, is naturally made in three colors, and is superb.
Moni Light Buddha Statue in the Grass Nunnery
As the only stone statue of Manichaeism leader in the world, the Manichaeism Buddha statue in the Grass Nunnery is a precious material evidence of the spread of Manichaeism in China.
Cizao Kiln is the site of Jinjiaoyishan Kiln
This is an outstanding representative of the export porcelain kilns in the suburbs of Quanzhou during the Song and Yuan Dynasties, reflecting the industrial structure of Quanzhou with the distinctive characteristics of foreign trade handicrafts. Its production system and production scale demonstrate the strong basic industrial capacity and trade output capacity of the World Marine Trade Center.
Together with Dehua kiln site and Anxi Qingyang Xiacaopu iron smelting site, it reflects the positive promotion of marine trade to the development of local industries in Quanzhou in the Song and Yuan dynasties. Archaeological work has found 26 kiln sites from the Southern Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty (6th - 20th century), including 12 kiln sites from the Song and Yuan Dynasties (10th - 14th century), all located on the hillsides on both sides of the 99 Stream, a tributary of the Jinjiang River. Jinjiaoyishan kiln site was built in the 10th century and flourished in the 10th - 13th century.
Cizao kiln porcelain has been unearthed in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, East Africa and other places, and found on Nanhai No.1, Huaguang Reef No.1, South Korea Xin'an sunken ship, Indonesia Java sunken ship, Philippines Luzon sunken ship, Jepala sunken ship and other sunken ships.
Cizao Kiln is the site of Jinjiaoyishan Kiln
Dehua kiln site (Weilin Neiban kiln site, Qudougong kiln site)
This is an outstanding representative of the export porcelain kilns in Quanzhou's inland areas during the Song and Yuan Dynasties. Its rise benefited from the prosperity of Quanzhou's marine trade in the Song and Yuan Dynasties. In the process of development, it created unique white porcelain products, demonstrating the innovation and development of Quanzhou's local porcelain industry driven by marine trade.
Dehua Kiln is located in Dehua County, 70km away from the west of Quanzhou City. It started in the late Tang Dynasty and achieved significant development in the context of the development of marine trade in the Song and Yuan Dynasties. Kiln sites are all over the county. Among them, the kiln sites around Dehua County are the most concentrated, and 29 kiln sites in the Song and Yuan Dynasties (10-14th centuries) have been found. The ceramics produced in this area can be transported by land to Yongchun County in the south, and then transported to Quanzhou Port via Dongxi, a tributary of Jinjiang River.
Dehua kiln site
Weilin Neiban kiln site is located in the northwest of Sanban Town, Dehua County. The kiln site is located on the north and south sides of Shangliao Stream, with an area of about 12200 square meters. Archaeological work has found 7 kilns, some workshops, waste accumulation and other kiln relics. Qudou Palace kiln site is located on the south slope of Pozhai Mountain, Baomei Mountain, Xunzhong Town, Dehua County. In 1976, an archaeological excavation revealed a kiln site of the Yuan Dynasty. The kiln is a divided room dragon kiln, which is a transitional form from a dragon kiln to a class kiln, reflecting the progress and development of kiln technology in the Song and Yuan Dynasties
Anxi Qingyang Xiacaopu Iron Smelting Site
This is a precious witness of Quanzhou's iron smelting handicraft industry in the Song and Yuan dynasties, and together with the ceramic production base in Quanzhou, it shows the strong industrial capacity and trade output capacity of Quanzhou in the Song and Yuan dynasties.
The site is located on the hillside in the south of Qingyang Village, covering an area of about 10000 square meters, including a smelting site, a group of ancient mine caves distributed in the mine, a site of the ancestral house of the Yu family, an iron smelting producer, an ancient road, and a mountain area that provides fuel for smelting.
Anxi Qingyang Xiacaopu Iron Smelting Site
According to the preliminary archaeological investigation, exploration and experimental analysis, the smelting site uses small blast furnaces for block iron smelting, and uses charcoal as the main fuel. The sponge iron produced is initially forged into iron blocks, iron sheets and other initially processed products, and then processed or transported to other regions for forging and reshaping to make ironware. According to the C14 dating of more than 10 carbon samples taken from the site, their ages are concentrated around the 10th and 11th centuries. According to the age characteristics of coins and porcelain fragments unearthed from the site, it can be determined that the site is a block iron smelting site of the Song Dynasty.
Shihu Wharf
Located on the west bank of Shihu Peninsula, 17 kilometers southeast of Quanzhou City, the main body is composed of a group of nearshore reefs and Tongji trestles. It was built in the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty and was an important outer port of Quanzhou Bay "Maritime Silk Road" in the Song and Yuan dynasties.
Shihu Wharf
Wanshou pagoda
Located in Baogai Mountain, Yongning Town, Shishi City, it was built in Shaoxing of the Southern Song Dynasty and has a history of more than 800 years.
Wanshou pagoda
During the Song and Yuan Dynasties, Quanzhou Port was one of the largest trade ports in the world, with trade contacts with more than 70 countries and regions. As the commanding height of Quanzhou Bay coast, Wanshou Tower was the most important navigation mark of the "Ocean Passage", which witnessed the prosperity of "the largest port in the East".
Liusheng Tower
It is located in Shihu Village, Shishi City. The pagoda is a granite attic structure, 36.6 meters high, with a bottom circumference of about 47 meters. It has eight corners and five floors. It is exquisitely carved and magnificent. The Hanjiang River and Shihu Lake under the Liusheng Pagoda were important outer ports of Quanzhou in ancient times. It is said that there were 18 ferries here in those days, where nearly 100 ships from Asian and African countries were berthed. The sea traffic was very popular.
Liusheng Tower
As the main beacon tower of Quanzhou Bay Channel in those days, Liusheng Tower has been weathered for more than 800 years, opening the way for navigator Zheng He's fifth pilot voyage to the West, and witnessing the prosperity of Quanzhou's overseas trade.
Jiangkou Wharf
Located at the intersection of the river and the sea in Quanzhou, Fashigang District, including Wenxing Wharf, Meishan Wharf and other series of wharfs, was built in the Song Dynasty, and has been used and repaired for many generations. The dock can be used for internal navigation to enter the city along the river, and foreign navigation can sail to the sea. It forms the pattern of an ancient cluster port with the Shihu dock in the bay, which best reflects Quanzhou's marine culture and its glorious history of marine transportation.
Jiangkou Wharf
Luoyang Bridge
Located in Hui'an County, Quanzhou, the bridge was built under the direction of the prefect Cai Xiang during the Northern Song Dynasty. There are 44 ship shaped piers, 104 stone lions, and 7 stone towers. It is the first cross sea girder stone bridge in China, representing the most advanced bridge building technology in China at that time, and a peak in the history of Chinese bridges, Guangji Bridge in Guangdong is also called the four famous bridges in ancient China.
Luoyang Bridge
Anping Bridge
Located in Anhai Town, Jinjiang City, it was built in the eighth year of Shaoxing in the Southern Song Dynasty (1138). It took fourteen years to complete, with a length of more than 2000 meters. It was rebuilt many times in the Ming and Qing dynasties. The bridge is the longest beam stone bridge in the world in the Middle Ages, and also the longest existing ancient stone bridge in China.
Anping Bridge
Shunji Bridge Site
Located at the south gate of Licheng, it was built under the direction of Zou Yinglong, the governor of Quanzhou in the Southern Song Dynasty, with a length of 500 meters and a width of 4.6 meters. After completion, it will form a coastal corridor of Quanzhou in the Song and Yuan Dynasties together with Luoyang Bridge and Anping Bridge in Quanzhou. In October 2000, the bridge became a dangerous bridge and was closed to vehicles and pedestrians. Later, due to the typhoon, the bridge collapsed in a large area, leaving only 11 bridge decks and piers.
This is the land transportation node between the ancient city of Quanzhou and the south bank of Jinjiang River. It is the main channel to enter and exit the commercial area of the ancient city with the development of marine trade, improving the land and water transportation system of Quanzhou.
Together with Dejimen Site and Tianhou Palace, it reflects the development of commercial urban area in the south of the ancient city driven by marine trade, and witnesses the promotion of commercial expansion to the transportation system.
Shunji Bridge Site
(Some of the contents of this article are reported by the Pengpai News, Quanzhou. com, Love World Heritage, etc.)