Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China

World Heritage Research

Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.

• Multilingual, multicultural and multi-religious diversity: chronotopic affect in the semiotic landscape of Zhongshan Road, Quanzhou

  Zhongshan Road in Quanzhou, a key site on the historical maritime silk road, embodies complex chronotopic affects—emotional responses shaped by multilingual, multicultural, and multi-religious diversity. The study reveals that globalisation-driven mobility of sociolinguistic resources leads to functional shifts across scales (e.g., from local to global, religious to mundane), creating layered time-space frames within a single site or even individual signs. These chronotopes evoke distinct affects like love and nostalgia, illustrating how historical and modern elements interweave in semiotic landscapes. The research employs ethnographic methods, including photographs, observation notes, and interviews, to analyze these dynamics.

  Zhang, H., & Wu, S. (2025). Multilingual, multicultural and multi-religious diversity: chronotopic affect in the semiotic landscape of Zhongshan Road, Quanzhou. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 47(4), 2310–2330. https://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.2025.2468775

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• Durability Analysis of Brick-Faced Clay-Core Walls in Traditional Residential Architecture in Quanzhou, China

  Research on brick-faced clay-core walls (BCWs) in Quanzhou, a UNESCO World Heritage City, reveals that their durability stems from three key mechanisms: the protective and reinforcing synergy between brick and clay, the impact of external pollutant infiltration, and the stability of silicate minerals. Using advanced techniques such as finite element mechanics analysis (FEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), scientists analyzed the northern gable of Ding Gongchen’s former residence to uncover these insights. The study highlights that maintaining the structural integrity of BCWs relies on the interplay between brick and clay materials, as well as the stability of silicate minerals, offering a foundation for sustainable preservation of such traditional constructions.

  Ding, Y., Guan, R., Chen, L., Wang, J., Zhang, Y., Fu, Y., & Zhang, C. (2025). Durability Analysis of Brick-Faced Clay-Core Walls in Traditional Residential Architecture in Quanzhou, China. Coatings, 15(8), 909. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15080909

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• Authenticity and place attachment as dual pathways for sustainable tourism in the historic Quanzhou West Street, China

  Research on Quanzhou West Street, a UNESCO-listed heritage site, reveals that both tangible and experiential authenticity significantly enhance visitors' emotional connection to the place, reinforcing sustainable tourism. The study found that object-related authenticity (physical heritage features) and existential authenticity (cultural engagement) positively influence place identity and dependence, with place identity acting as a mediator between authenticity and functional reliance on the site. This dual pathway suggests that preserving historic fabric while fostering authentic cultural experiences is crucial for long-term sustainability. The findings underscore the need for integrated conservation efforts, visitor management to prevent over-commercialization, and community involvement in governance. The research provides actionable insights for managing historic urban landscapes sustainably.

  Zhu, Y., Han, G., Zhuang, J., & Wang, M. (2025). Authenticity and place attachment as dual pathways for sustainable tourism in the historic Quanzhou West Street, China. Scientific Reports, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-28662-7

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• The Service Experience Innovation Model of Cultural Tourism in Historic Districts: A Case Study on Zhongshan Road in Quanzhou, Fujian Province of China

  Researchers have developed the TESP model, a framework for innovative cultural tourism services that integrates technological, experiential, systemic, and platform dimensions. This model, applied to Zhongshan Road in Quanzhou, China, highlights the importance of creating a sense of place through traditional culture while leveraging digital platforms and interpersonal networks to promote local economic prosperity. The study identifies six stages of tourist experience—Connect and Attract, Orientate, Interact, Extend and Retain, Advocate, and Recollect—and emphasizes humanistic innovation as a key driver for enhancing service experiences in historic districts. Using an exploratory case study approach that combines secondary data analysis with on-site observations, the findings provide practical insights for cultural heritage tourism and offer guidance for experience providers, managers, and marketing professionals.

  Lin, Y.-H., & Chen, C.-L. (2024). The Service Experience Innovation Model of Cultural Tourism in Historic Districts: A Case Study on Zhongshan Road in Quanzhou, Fujian Province of China. Sustainability, 16(9), 3567. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093567

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• Quantitative research of street interface morphology in urban historic districts: a case study of west street historic district, Quanzhou

  A novel method for quantifying street interface morphology in historical urban districts offers valuable insights for their protection and renewal. This study introduces four key parameters—Distance-Height Ratio, Interface Density, Build-To-Line Rate, and Near-Line Rate—to analyze the spatial characteristics of Xijie, a historic cultural street district in Quanzhou, China. By focusing on meso-level spatial morphology rather than macro-level planning, this approach provides actionable strategies for preserving historical streets while addressing gaps in existing research. The findings validate the method's feasibility and contribute to sustainable urban heritage conservation.

  Huang, K., Kang, P., & Zhao, Y. (2024). Quantitative research of street interface morphology in urban historic districts: a case study of west street historic district, Quanzhou. Heritage Science, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-024-01351-w

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• Spatial non-stationarity effects of the driving factors on landscape ecological risk: A case of the Xiamen-Zhangzhou-Quanzhou Urban Agglomeration, China

  Landscape ecological risk (LER) in the Xiamen-Zhangzhou-Quanzhou Urban Agglomeration (XZQUA), China, has shown a declining trend from 1980 to 2020, accompanied by increasing spatial autocorrelation. The study identified construction land area, distance from roads, elevation, and temperature as key drivers of LER, with significant spatial non-stationarity in their effects. Construction land and elevation negatively impacted LER, while proximity to roads had a positive effect. These findings highlight the need for targeted ecological risk interventions tailored to geographical contexts, offering critical insights for regional policymakers.

  Lin, Y., Zhang, F., Jin, Y., Wen, L., Yu, Y., Zhang, L., Weng, A., & Ge, Y. (2024). Spatial non-stationarity effects of the driving factors on landscape ecological risk: A case of the Xiamen-Zhangzhou-Quanzhou Urban Agglomeration, China. Ecological Indicators, 167, 112660. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112660

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• Development of Rural Regions in China: Evidence of Industry Integration by the Residents of Yongan Village (Quanzhou City, China)

  Yongan Village, Quanzhou, China, demonstrates a novel rural development model that integrates primary, secondary, and tertiary industries in the sequence of '1 + 3 + 2,' prioritizing tertiary industry growth to drive sustainable rural development. This approach, which emphasizes agro-tourism and rising tourist inflows, offers a practical framework for transforming rural regions economically while maintaining long-term viability. The study provides theoretical insights and actionable guidance for similar initiatives in China and other developing nations, enriching the discourse on rural sustainability.

  Wang, Y., & Tian, R. (2023). Development of Rural Regions in China: Evidence of Industry Integration by the Residents of Yongan Village (Quanzhou City, China). Sustainability, 15(4), 2928. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15042928

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