Quanzhou Maritime Museum: A Glimpse into Ancient Maritime History

The Quanzhou Maritime Museum is a national first-class museum in China specializing in the history of overseas communication. Established in 1959, it was originally located on the east side within the Quanzhou Kaiyuan Temple, a Buddhist monastery. In February 1991, the new main building was completed on Donghu Street. In 2003, an additional ‘Quanzhou Islamic Culture Exhibition Hall’ was built to the east of the main building. These facilities are all part of the Quanzhou Maritime Museum.
The museum’s theme reflects ancient overseas communication, the Maritime Silk Road, and the resulting economic and cultural exchanges. The basic exhibitions within the museum include ‘Quanzhou Ancient Ship Hall’, ‘Quanzhou and Ancient Overseas Communication History Exhibition Hall’, ‘Chinese Boats of the World’, ‘Islamic Culture Exhibition Hall’, and ‘Quanzhou Maritime Folk Culture Exhibition Hall’. The Ancient Ship Hall, located in the Kaiyuan Temple, is a two-story exhibition mainly displaying the Song Dynasty ship and its associated artifacts excavated from Houzhu Port in Quanzhou Bay in 1974, with the Song Dynasty sea vessel model being a must-see.

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The Song Dynasty ship, unearthed in 1974 at Houzhu Port in Quanzhou Bay, was one of the earliest and largest overseas trade vessels discovered in China at that time, accompanied by a wealth of artifacts. The new museum is both educational and entertaining, where you can see ten different types of crosses, understand why Tamil script is visible in many Quanzhou temples, view the appearance of silk and pottery exported during the Silk Road era, learn about the weapons used to resist Japanese pirates, and see a variety of religious tombstones.

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For those who enjoy museums, historical research, or ship models, the Quanzhou Maritime Museum is a must-visit attraction. It fully showcases the ancient commercial, religious, and navigational aspects of Quanzhou. The museum is also quiet with few visitors. If traveling with children, it’s an excellent place to gain knowledge. The museum is open all year round from Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00-17:00; closed all day on Mondays.

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