China: Pagoda, Kaiyuan Temple, Quanzhou, Fujian Province

Kaiyuan Si (Kaiyuan Temple) is Quanzhou’s largest Buddhist temple, and one of China’s most beautiful. The temple dates back to the late 7th century (Tang Dynasty), but its two pagodas were later additions, constructed in the 13th century. They have managed to survive largely as they are built of stone, not wood.

Quanzhou was established in 718 during the Tang Dynasty (618–907). In those days, Guangzhou was China's greatest seaport, but this status would be surpassed later by Quanzhou. During the Song Dynasty (960–1279) and Yuan Dynasty (1279–1368), Quanzhou was one of the world's largest seaports, hosting a large community of foreign-born inhabitants from across the Eurasian world.

Due to its reputation, Quanzhou has been called the starting point of the Silk Road via the sea. From the Arabic name form of the city, Zayton, the word satin would be minted. In The Travels of Marco Polo, Quanzhou (called Zayton, T'swan-Chau or Chin-Cheu) was listed as the departure point for Marco Polo's expedition to escort the 17-year-old Mongol princess bride Kököchin to her new husband in the Persian Ilkhanate.

Copyright:

CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

David Henley

Credit:

Pictures From Asia