Over 1200 years ago, Arabian fleets emerged as a formidable force in maritime trade, transporting sulfur from Persia to China, Chinese ceramics to Greece, and Greek silk to India. The flourishing South China Sea demanded a colossal port located in China, and Quanzhou, strategically positioned at the midpoint of China’s coastal routes, seized the historical opportunity, blossoming into the “premier Oriental port.”

On the nearby Jiuri Mountain, 59 Song dynasty cliff carvings vividly capture the grandeur of wind-praying ceremonies. During the biannual monsoon transitions, high-ranking officials of the Song dynasty would host banquets for both domestic and foreign merchants, wishing them a safe journey upon entering or departing the port. At that time, China had established a maritime trade bureau and a guesthouse for foreign travelers in Quanzhou. Not only did foreign merchants enjoy policy privileges, but their customs and beliefs were also accorded utmost respect.

In the words of Marco Polo, Quanzhou was always a gathering place for merchants, with global treasures piled up in abundance, its prosperity reaching unimaginable heights. Another Italian, Jacob d’Ancona, noted that during the day, the city was ablaze with the vibrant hues of erythrina variegata, while at night, the bustling docks were illuminated, earning the moniker “City of Radiance.” The well-established ceramic and ironworking hubs, an intricately developed water and land transportation network, and a harmonious community atmosphere collectively forged an extremely open “World Maritime Trade Center.”

The city welcomed a myriad of international guests, fluent in hundreds of languages, making Quanzhou their home and leaving traces of their diverse lifestyles. Awash with temples and churches, the streets here constitute the world’s largest religious museum, where around each corner, one may encounter a foreign deity. Quanzhou locals’ fondness for beef, perhaps influenced by incoming Muslims, is enriched with curry, catering to the palates of merchants from all corners of the globe.

Tolerance and openness are etched into the genes of Quanzhou Port, enduring even through the sea ban during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Crossing mountains and seas, they sparked waves of overseas migrations. Today, Quanzhou has a population of over 8 million, with over 7.5 million overseas Chinese of Quanzhou origin in Southeast Asia alone, spreading the belief that “no struggle, no success” across the globe.

On July 25, 2021, "Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China" successfully entered the World Heritage List, prompting a global reflection on the prosperity of the ancient Maritime Silk Road. In this narrative of ancient Chinese civilization, speckled throughout are tales of global maritime commerce, exchanges, and mutual learning.