Quanzhou: the origin of Minnan culture

Last October, we introduced the cultural melting pot that is Quanzhou. Today we return to the city to pay attention to Minnan culture.

Minnan culture, or Hokkien culture, originated in the southern part of Fujian province, most notably the city of Quanzhou. As one of the world’s four major ports during the Tang dynasty, Quanzhou started welcoming other cultures and religions, like Buddhism. Minnan architecture and Buddhist temples are part of the city’s streetscape to this day.

Later, as Quanzhou went on to become the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road, the famous Luoyang Bridge was built there, the first stone bay bridge in China.