Quanzhou: A global hub of maritime trade

Quanzhou, the harbor city in East China's Fujian province, was one of the most important Chinese ports along the historic Maritime Silk Road.

The Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties witnessed a peak in ancient Chinese maritime trade, and Quanzhou, then known overseas as Zayton, was one of the busiest seaports in the world.

"Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China" was recently inscribed onto the UNESCO World Heritage List, becoming the 56th Chinese entry on the list.

The new entry includes 22 sites and monuments across Quanzhou, which jointly reflect a prosperous picture of maritime trade from the 10th to 14th centuries.

They comprehensively reflect the Song-Yuan Quanzhou's highly integrated maritime trade structure and the diversity of the social system formed by the supporting institutions, communities and cultural elements, according to the Quanzhou Cultural Heritage Nomination Office.

Video provided by Fujian Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism